Saskatchewan Launches Ad Campaign to Attract Doctors From US

Saskatchewan Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill in a file photo. The Canadian Press/Heywood Yu

Saskatchewan is releasing a digital campaign to attract doctors from the United States.

The province said it has a new digital campaign called “Saskatchewan is Calling” set to launch in spring designed to attract physicians from outside the province, including the United States.

“We want to showcase to Americans why Saskatchewan offers them a new direction by being an excellent choice for physicians who want to practice in a secure, stable and supportive environment,” Premier Scott Moe said in an April 9 statement.

The province said the campaign is being launched in an uncertain political environment, offering U.S. professionals a secure and stable home.

It says that it’s promoting the benefits of life in Saskatchewan.

“We are committed to ensuring that physicians in Saskatchewan are well-compensated for their hard work, enjoy career fulfillment and have a positive work-life balance with a lower cost of living,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said.

Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency (SHRA) CEO Terri Strunk said licencing requirements for U.S. physicians is swift in the province.

“Saskatchewan offers one of the quickest pathways to medical licensure for physicians who have American Board certification and have, or are eligible to obtain, a full license in the United States,” Strunk said.

“We regularly showcase our opportunities in the United States, but this campaign is a bit different, designed to capture the attention of physicians who may be looking north for a new opportunity.”

The province said it has focused its efforts on bringing in more emergency medicine physicians, anesthesiologists, and family physicians.

Opposition NDP Shadow Minister of Health Vicki Mowat said the province already has internationally trained doctors but they have not yet been accredited.

“It’s good that the government is looking to the United States to recruit trained doctors, but we also have dozens of internationally trained doctors right here in the province who can’t get accredited to work,” Mowat said in a statement emailed to The Epoch Times.

Mowat said the province is facing long hospital wait times and surgery times because it is driving medical professionals out of the province.

A recent survey found Saskatchewan ranked fourth for patient wait times. Average wait time for patients across Canada was 30 weeks, according to a Fraser Institute study.

In Saskatchewan, the average wait time between being referred to getting treatment is about 37 weeks, behind Ontario (23 weeks), Quebec (28 weeks), and B.C. (29 weeks).

Saskatchewan’s government said it would also be rolling out more elements in the campaign, including stories of doctors in the province talking about the benefits of practicing medicine in Saskatchewan.

“The profiled physicians explain in their own words why Saskatchewan is a great choice to build your practice and your life exploring advantages such as team-based care; a strong, supportive physician network, opportunities for career growth, and many other benefits including their connection to helping Saskatchewan patients,” the government said.

The campaign will be launched in the United States, as well as across Canada and international markets, according to the government release.