British ColumbiaBritish Columbia Health Minister Josie Osborne says the province is “doing very well” in its recruiting drive of health care professionals from the United States, but admits that it will take time to convert that interest into staffing positions. Osborne says numbers bode well for recruiting drive of health-care professionals from the U.S.The Canadian Press · Posted: Sep 22, 2025 7:18 PM EDT | Last Updated: September 22Health Minister Josie Osborne says many U.S. health-care workers are expressing strong interest in relocating to B.C. (Mike McArthur/CBC)British Columbia Health Minister Josie Osborne says the province is “doing very well” in its recruiting drive of health-care professionals from the United States, but admits that it will take time to convert that interest into staffing positions. Osborne says more than 140 health-care workers from the U.S. — including 80 nurses and 38 doctors — have accepted positions with B.C. health authorities since the launch of its campaign in March 2025. Osborne, who was speaking at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities’ annual convention in Victoria, says the figure “bodes well” for the campaign, which has produced some 1,400 job applications from U.S. health workers. The province launched a $5-million digital advertising blitz in June, targeting health workers in Washington state, Oregon and California. Ads have also been running in U.S. academic publications through September.Osborne says it is not surprising that many U.S. health workers are looking to B.C. when they see the “erosion of rights, disregard of science and the denial of universal health care” in their own country. WATCH | U.S. doctor making the move to B.C.: Canadian-born U.S. physician moves back to B.C., as province attempts to recruit doctorsThe province is betting big that it can recruit doctors and nurses from the U.S. to fill the gaps in B.C.’s health-care system. Katie DeRosa talks to one family doctor who is making the move from Colorado to Colwood on Vancouver Island.”Health-care workers want to be in a system where their skills are valued, science is respected and their focus is on providing care — not fighting with for-profit insurance companies,” she said.The province says regulatory changes are making it easier for U.S. health professionals to transition quickly into practice here, including expedited credential recognition process for U.S.-trained and certified nurses.WATCH | B.C. fast-tracks process for U.S. health-care workers: B.C. fast-tracks process for U.S. nurses to get registered in provincePremier David Eby is touting the province’s work recruiting U.S.-trained doctors and nurses to B.C., in an effort to address the health-care worker shortage. CBC’s Katie DeRosa talked to one nurse who is starting the journey to move here.Since earlier this year, 535 nurses and 104 nurse practitioners from the U.S. have successfully registered with the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives, while 29 doctors have been licensed through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of B.C.Dr. Olga Decker, who moved from the U.S. to Kamloops this summer, is among them. “Moving with a family of five plus a few pets, it’s not an easy move, especially across the country,” she said. “We have a few bumps on the way, but overall it’s all worth it.”Premier David Eby pledged last year that his government would recruit 45,000 new health-care workers over the next four years to help fill gaps.
B.C. has recruited more than 140 health-care workers from the U.S., minister says
