McMaster & PEI launches a new program for international doctors. Both PEI and McMaster University have jointly introduced a new training initiative aimed at helping foreign-trained physicians obtain licensure to practice in Canada.
The PEI-McMaster Collaborative Hospitalist Fellowship will offer international medical graduates (IMGs) a one-year structured training in internal medicine. Upon completion, these physicians will become eligible for licensure in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and are expected to serve at least one year in the province.
To qualify, IMGs must hold either Canadian citizenship or permanent residency and meet criteria set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of PEI. Priority will be given to candidates eligible for the Royal College IM exam through the Practice Eligibility Route (PER).
About The Collaborative Fellowship Program
PEI and McMaster are collaborating on this innovative program, with the goal of strengthening Canada’s healthcare workforce.
McMaster University, located in Hamilton, Ontario, has partnered with PEI’s provincial government to develop a pathway that supports IMGs in transitioning into Canada’s healthcare system.
In addition, Mark McLane, PEI’s Minister of Health and Wellness, emphasized the importance of this partnership. He noted that working closely with McMaster and the College of Physicians and Surgeons of PEI will not only help IMGs integrate effectively but also enhance PEI’s medical workforce capacity.
Health PEI, the province’s health authority, is responsible for selecting and funding candidates for the fellowship, with the broader aim of long-term retention of healthcare professionals in the province.
The training will be split into two parts:
- Primary training at McMaster University
- Final training block in PEI
Moreover, the concept was partly inspired by the career path of Dr. Ali Abdullah. He is an IMG who completed a similar hospitalist fellowship at McMaster and began practicing in PEI in 2024.
Common Challenges Faced By IMGs
McMaster & PEI launches a new program for international doctors. However, foreign-trained physicians often face significant challenges in becoming licensed to practice in Canada.
In general, medical graduates must complete a residency, a period of supervised practice, to qualify for full licensure. However, most residency positions in Canadian provinces are reserved for local medical school graduates, leaving only around 10% of spots open to IMGs.
Due to this bottleneck, regulatory colleges and governments have started working on alternative pathways to support IMGs in gaining Canadian credentials and practicing rights.
Immigration Trends Supporting Healthcare Professionals
This new fellowship reflects Canada’s broader strategy of addressing critical labor shortages in the healthcare sector through immigration and credential recognition.
Here are some key steps recently taken by Canadian governments and institutions:
| Year | Initiative |
| 2023 | The federal government launched category-based draws prioritizing healthcare workers for permanent residence. |
| 2025 | IRCC expanded the healthcare and social services category to include therapists and social workers. |
| Recent | A public policy was introduced allowing self-employed physicians to count their experience under certain Express Entry streams. |
| 2025 | Ontario revised three Express Entry-aligned streams to let physicians count self-employment experience. |
| 2025 | British Columbia, New Brunswick, PEI, and Saskatchewan focused immigration pathways on healthcare occupations. |
| Recent Years | Provinces like Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, and PEI announced recruitment incentives for foreign healthcare professionals. |
These initiatives aim to meet the rising healthcare demands by making it easier for internationally trained professionals to enter and remain in the Canadian medical workforce.
Moreover, this program represents an important step in bridging the gap between qualified IMGs and the growing need for skilled doctors across Canada. By offering a clear, supportive path to licensure, PEI and McMaster are helping to fill critical workforce gaps.
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