Election: Should Canada make it easier for foreign credentials to be recognized?

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, left, helps Il Kwon, of Novo Plastics Inc., make an automotive part in Markham, Ont., on April 6. (Sean Kilpatrick/Canadian Press)

Immigrants to Canada should have their foreign credentials recognized more quickly, Conservative Leader Stephen Harper said Wednesday, during a campaign event in the Toronto area.

Harper said, if re-elected, he would provide loans to help new Canadians pay for skills training or upgrading that will speed up the process of having their credentials recognized.

"We think that this small investment in the future of new Canadians will strengthen the future of our economy for all Canadians," Harper said at his news conference.

The Liberals' platform, released Sunday, says Ottawa needs to improve credential recognition and to do a better job of communicating with immigrants about recognition before they leave their country of origin.

The NDP has also promised to "streamline" the credential recognition process to get hundreds of foreign-trained doctors accredited in Canada more quickly.

Do you support faster recognition of foreign credentials? Are you, or is someone you know, struggling to have your foreign credentials recognized in Canada? Tell us your story in the comments below.



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