NDP’s Begum is critic for foreign credentials

NDP’s Begum is critic for foreign credentials

MPP Doly Begum, Scarborough Southwest

SCARBOROUGH–NDP MPP Doly Begum (Scarborough Southwest) has been appointed to a key new role as critic for Citizenship, Foreign Credentials and Immigration Services in the Official Opposition by NDP Leader Andrea Horwath. Begum will be the first ever critic responsible for foreign credentials, a critical portfolio as Ontarians face a dire shortage of health care professionals during this pandemic.

“As a Bangladeshi-Canadian immigrant whose family moved here to seek a better future, I have seen firsthand the struggles that our immigrant communities face – be it navigating various systems, or even finding opportunities to flourish in their new home country,” said Begum. “It is deeply important to me that we create an Ontario that provides equal and equitable opportunities for those who are newcomers and immigrants. We must provide them with the resources and opportunities to thrive.”

Over the past year, the pandemic has ravaged through the lives of Ontarians, including immigrant families across the province. People continue to suffer from Doug Ford’s cuts to long-term care, education, and public health services. Begum will focus on building equal opportunities for immigrant communities across Ontario and helping foreign trained professionals to contribute their skills and knowledge at a time when Ontario needs them most.

As we see the devastation in long-term care and the crisis in our healthcare system due to staff shortages, it is critical that the province take action for foreign trained professionals who live in Scarborough and across Ontario that have the skills we need now,” said Begum. “We have nurses and health care professionals with degrees from their countries of birth, who are not allowed to use their skills in Ontario because the provincial government hasn’t done enough to help them obtain Canadian credentials. We must work to remove these unnecessary obstacles.

My riding of Scarborough Southwest is home to many immigrant communities. Folks who are first, second or third generation Canadians have parents or grandparents who left homes in Northern Ontario or the Canadian Atlantic provinces, the Philippines or Caribbean, China, Africa, or South Asia to access better jobs, schools, and health care. Canada is a nation of immigrants and settler communities, whose contribution to building Ontario is unparalleled, which is why I will work with immigrants across Ontario, including foreign-trained professionals to ensure they are recognized and can find meaningful opportunities to build a successful life in this province.”

(PRESS RELEASE)