Many HEU members have accessed the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) as a path to permanent residency (PR) in Canada. But overall cuts to federal immigration numbers and new rules are making it harder for non-clinical health care workers—like housekeepers, dietary aides, relational security officers and clerks—to access this immigration pathway.
HEU is advocating to ensure fair access for all health care workers and to protect the critical health services that these members provide to British Columbians.
"We'll keep working together to make sure all workers are treated fairly and can stay in the jobs they love," says HEU secretary-business manager Lynn Bueckert. "The federal government is making cuts to PNP that will reduce the number of trained health care workers in the system. We believe that if you're good enough to work here, you're good enough to stay!"
What's Happening?
Tighter Rules: The federal government decreased the allocation of PNP spots to BC in 2024. Earlier this year, the B.C. Ministry of Health issued a new framework prioritizing PNP spots for clinical positions in hospitals, prioritizing doctors, nurses, and other clinical job classifications.
After discussions with the Ministry of Health in September, health authorities were encouraged to grant PNP spots to those HEU members who had commitments in writing. However, many HEU members are now receiving notices from health authority human resources representatives that their papers will not be signed and the health authorities will no longer support them.
Because of these actions, non-clinical workers now have little to no chance of being approved for PNP moving forward.
Impact on HEU Members:
Hundreds of HEU members are on work permits, and many may lose their jobs or have to leave Canada because of these changes. Over 100 workers have work permits set to expire in 2025 in Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) alone.
While just over 300 HEU members have accessed PNP since 2021 in VCH, many other workers are now confused, stressed, frustrated, and angry about these changes.
What will happen in 2025?
PNP allocations in each province are determined by the federal government and are declining every year.
The provincial government hasn't said how many PNP spots will be available in health care in 2025.
The circumstances facing each impacted worker are complex, and the current situation is causing them much uncertainty about their future.
What is HEU Doing?
Demanding Fairness: HEU has asked for a meeting with the provincial health minister to ask that PNP spots in 2025 be shared equitably across all job categories.
HEU has also met with federal NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and talked to MP Peter Julian's office to explain these issues. We have also met with the Chief Executive Officers of Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health to advocate for our members.
Pushing for Change: HEU is asking the provincial and federal governments to let workers who were already employed in B.C.'s hospitals before the rules changed have access to the program.
Supporting Members: HEU is working to get a list of affected members to offer help and is gathering information to strengthen our case.
Why This Matters?
B.C.'s hospitals and health care facilities need all types of workers to run smoothly, not just doctors and nurses. Excluding non-clinical workers from the PNP program is unfair and makes the staffing crisis worse.
These workers have contributed to the health care system through the pandemic and beyond. All health care workers deserve stability and a chance to build their futures in Canada.