Regulatory associations may soon be fined up to $100,000 if they don't fairly recognize the credentials of foreign doctors, engineers, accountants and other professionals, Ontario's immigration minister said Wednesday.

Mike Colle was speaking in Ottawa one of several forums across the province on Bill 124, the Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, which is aimed at helping immigrants find jobs in the province within 34 regulated professions.

'Let's make it possible for these people to work in their fields and then we'll have a gain for the foreign-trained individuals but also for all the communities that need engineers, doctors, nurses.'—Immigration Minister Mike Colle

Premier Dalton McGuinty's Liberal government announced Bill 124 on June 8. It has now passed its second reading, and will be the subject of committee meetings next week prior to its third and final reading in the legislature.

According to the Ontario immigration ministry, up to 140,000 newcomers move to the province every year.

Colle told the 100 people attending the Ottawa forum that Ontario residents don't want to see those newcomers' brains go to waste.

"Let's make it possible for these people to work in their fields," Colle said, "and then we'll have a gain for the foreign-trained individuals but also for all the communities that need engineers, doctors, nurses."

Immigrants welcome change

Renaud Arnaud, who immigrated to Canada from France five years earlier, was one person in the audience who thinks the bill is a good idea.

"When I arrived in Canada, I thought it would be easy for me to find a job, having a master of engineering and an MBA," he said.

Despite his academic credentials and experience working for General Electric in the United States, Renaud said he was never able to find a job in his field.

Instead, he worked at a supermarket, taught French to public servants and is now completing an internship at the University of Ottawa, where he is training to become a technology transfer officer.

Failure to recognize credentials costs $5B annually

According to the Conference Board of Canada, failure to recognize foreign skills and credentials costs the Canadian economy up to $5 billion a year.

If it passes its third and final reading, the bill will give the provincial government the power to:

• Oversee and set provincial standards for the process of accrediting foreigners in 34 registered professions in Ontario.
• Appoint a fairness commissioner to enforce its standards.
• Fine individuals up to $50,000 and corporations $100,000 for not complying.
• Set up an access centre to provide information, internships and mentorships for immigrants.