Former NDP MLA Harry Lali is pushing for more foreign-trained Canadian physicians to be allowed to practice in B.C. (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

NEED FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Lali applauds move to ease restrictions on foreign doctors, wants more Canadians included

Apr 2, 2020 | 3:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC has proposed a bylaw amendment that would ease restrictions on foreign doctors to practice in this province under supervision.

Former Merritt-area MLA Harry Lali, who’s been vocal about loosening up the rules and allowing more to practice, says it’s a step in the right direction, but he wants more to be done to welcome more foreign-trained Canadian doctors during this pandemic.

“These are foreign-trained Canadian doctors who would do exactly the same thing that these other foreign doctors are going to be doing. I think it’s unfair,” he said.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC have proposed allowing foreign doctors to practice here as “associate physicians under the direction and supervision of attending physicians in acute care settings.” Lali says it’s positive to see, but it leaves out Canadians with at least two years of medical training required.

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“The three criteria that are listed by the College of Physicians, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, specifically excludes medical residence and I think that’s not fair,” Lali noted. “So we’re taking foreign-trained doctors from foreign countries over those who are Canadian.”

The College says the amendment was in the works prior to the coronavirus outbreak, but the pandemic has sped up the process.

In a statement to CFJC Today, the College said “[the criteria] were presented to the Ministry of Health in the fall of 2019. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, the Minister of Health asked the College to proceed with posting the proposed bylaws on March 31, 2020 and agreed to a shortened timeframe for consultation.”

At her daily news conference Wednesday, CFJC Today asked provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry if the idea of bringing in foreign-trained Canadian doctors was on the province’s radar.

“The time of crises is not necessarily the time where we want to modify the requirement that people need to have to ensure that they can practice in a safe way in this province,” Henry replied.

Lali responded, “This is exactly the time to actually do it, and if you don’t do it now when do you ever do it?”

Lali says if the government can put forward $5 billion during the pandemic, it’s not a money issue. He anticipates it would add a few dozen doctors to the mix in B.C.

“What’s the worst that could happen? If this pandemic doesn’t spread in terms of a steep curve, as is predicted, the worst that could happen is we’ll have a few dozen doctors that’ll be trained in two years time. They’ll be able to go into communities in rural British Columbia, rural Canada,” said Lali.