Sonia Sidhu, Member of Parliament for Brampton South, underscored the Government of Canada’s commitment to building a stronger health care system during her remarks at the House of Commons Health Committee. She emphasized how recent federal investments will help address workforce shortages, enhance medical research and clinical education, and modernize health infrastructure across the country.
“As part of Budget 2025, we are making significant investments to attract international talent to Canada,” said MP Sidhu. “This includes funding for the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) to support international doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows, and resources for universities to recruit international assistant professors. These measures will strengthen Canada’s health system in areas like clinical education and medical research.”
Officials from Health Canada confirmed that $1.7 billion has been allocated to attract international research excellence, ensuring health academic research centres can bring top researchers and associate professors to Canadian institutions. This will bolster clinical trials, drive innovation in new treatments, and improve care delivery across communities.
Sidhu also highlighted the $5 billion Health Infrastructure Fund announced in Budget 2025, which will support provinces and territories in expanding and modernizing hospitals and medical schools. “We have heard from witnesses that addressing the health worker shortage also requires having the physical and educational infrastructure in place,” Sidhu noted. Health Canada officials confirmed that provinces and territories have expressed strong interest in these investments, which will help upgrade aging facilities and expand medical education capacity.
In addition, Sidhu raised questions about immigration programs that help provinces and territories recruit health care workers. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) officials noted that provincial nominee programs (PNPs) and regional immigration pilots are already playing a critical role. “These investments and immigration pathways are essential to addressing health workforce challenges,” Sidhu added. “They complement broader efforts to ensure Canadians have access to timely, high-quality care, while supporting innovation and research that will benefit patients for years to come.”
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“Our government is investing in health care and research to make sure families in Brampton and across Canada have access to better care. By attracting skilled professionals, upgrading hospitals and medical schools, and supporting innovation, we are building a stronger health system for everyone.”