Healthcare workers are some of the most valuable professionals in Canada. As demands on our public healthcare system grow, these dedicated professionals strive to meet Canadians’ needs, delivering high-quality care across a spectrum of vital roles – from licensed practical nurses, to dental hygienists, to medical imaging specialists and personal support workers; from registered massage therapists to pharmacy assistants, community support workers, continuing care assistants and many more. 

These professionals are not only easing the burden on hospitals and emergency rooms but are also delivering expert services that demand intense focus and extremely high standards of care. With technological advancements, economic shifts, and changing societal needs, the healthcare sector has evolved significantly over the years. Now, as Canada faces an urgent demand to fill the labour and skills gap in this sector, the government has a critical opportunity to ensure this vital industry is duly recognized. 

Training and requirements for healthcare roles mirror many of those in designated skilled trades. Like traditionally recognized skilled trades such as plumbing, electrical work and carpentry, healthcare requires extensive training, practical experience, and a high degree of proficiency.  

Healthcare tasks are highly technical and practical, whether it’s medical technicians handling advanced diagnostic tools or paramedics responding swiftly in emergencies. These roles require not only a deep understanding of medical science but also the ability to apply it in dynamic and high-pressure situations, similar to skilled tradespeople’s responsibilities in their respective fields. 

Healthcare workers are foundational to our communities’ health and safety, maintaining public well-being just as electricians and plumbers maintain utility systems. As Canada continues to grow, with new Canadians settling in their communities and an aging population retiring, the pivotal role of healthcare professionals will only become more prominent. 

The reality is that healthcare already forms a key component of the existing skilled-trade framework of collaboration and interdependence, reinforcing workers’ ability to deliver on key projects and priorities by keeping them strong and healthy.   

While the federal government must work in collaboration with the provinces and territories on healthcare, particularly as it relates to funding, there is an urgent need for the federal government to provide solutions to better address our healthcare crisis, bolster the sector and support workers. Recognizing healthcare as a skilled trade is a tangible solution, within federal jurisdiction, and with long-term benefits for federal, provincial and territorial governments across Canada.  

This recognition would also increase access to funding currently available for training, skills developments and upskilling. The Government of Canada and provincial governments across the country have made significant investments to encourage learners to seek careers in the skilled trades. Programs like the Canada Job Grant and the Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program currently assist in covering training costs for skilled trades workers. Extending these benefits to healthcare workers would encourage more individuals to pursue fulfilling careers in this sector, addressing workforce shortages and enhancing the quality of care. 

This recognition would elevate the status of healthcare professionals, ensuring they receive respect and support that is commensurate with their vital contributions to society.