If you are planning on moving to a new country and starting a medical practice, Canada is a great option. Practicing medicine is one of the noblest and most lucrative professions in the world, and whether you are a Family Physician or a Specialist, your skills will always be respected and valued.

Practicing medicine in Canada grants you totally unique opportunities that will change your life. However, there are multiple provinces within Canada, and if you want to optimize your practice, it is important that you choose the right province for you. Here are some of the most desirable provinces for physicians to choose from.

1.Ontario

The province is considered the most developed and populous in Canada. It also boasts both Toronto and Ottawa as two of its cities. The southernmost province would grant doctors access to major US cities such as New York and New Jersey. Of all the provinces, Ontario can be considered the most diverse. It is a melting pot of cultures, with Toronto being ranked as the most culturally diverse city in Canada. Ottawa on the other hand is the country's capital city, and houses most of the foreign consulates within the country.

One of the key advantages of moving to Ontario as a doctor is that it has policies that make it easier to work there. Compared to other provinces, Ontario has faster licensing policies. This is especially true for US-licensed doctors because they can get the necessary certification within Canada without taking additional exams. This makes the whole process more efficient and less costly. Internationally trained family physicians from Australia, Ireland and the United Kingdom can also practice in Ontario at a much quicker time frame. Due to policy changes, supervision and assessment requirements are removed, if the applicant obtains certification from the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC).

Due to Ontario's large population, this means the province has the greatest number of health care centers such as hospitals and clinics in Canada. This also means that there is a greater demand for health care workers, thus increasing the opportunity for jobs.

Just recently Ontario has set in motion new procedures that will enable US health care workers to start working in Ontario health settings before they register with the CPSO. This means that they will be allowed to work for up to six months while seeking registration with the regulatory college.

The large number of healthcare workers also grants doctors better work-life balance. They have fellow doctors who can cover shifts and give assistance. This makes working as a doctor in Ontario less hectic. Ontario also has some of the best compensation models in the country, and just recently the FHO+ compensation model has been proposed. Should the revamped compensation model be released, doctors will be able to charge for administrative tasks such as writing charts and filling out forms.

Apart from the great opportunities for healthcare, the Ontario province has great international airports such as the Toronto Pearson International Airport, which was named the best-high volume airport in North America. The airport is located in Mississauga, Ontario and is around 59 minutes away from Toronto. Top airlines such as Air Canada, Emirates, American Airlines, and Air France use the airport as a hub. The airport also offers a wide range of international flights to Europe and Asia. This gives international doctors access to affordable flights and a chance to visit family and friends in their home countries.

2.Alberta

The province of Alberta is known for its strong economy and natural beauty. These key advantages are interlinked. Alberta is home to the iconic Canadian Rockies, the province is also home to a rich deposit of dinosaur fossils. The large number of fossils has made Alberta a very potent source for fossil fuel. This has made Alberta a powerhouse in the oil and gas industry.

This strong economy has granted the province one of the best qualities of life in the country. Because of its large population the province has a shortage of health care workers. This has led the province to also launch programs designed to attract and retain doctors.

One such program is the Accelerated Jurisdiction Route, which aims to strengthen Alberta's health-care workforce. This new rule is aimed at newly graduated doctors that come from an approved list of jurisdictions. The approved jurisdiction includes Family doctors that have post-graduate training from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and the United States. Specialist doctors that have post-graduate training from Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, United Kingdom, or USA are also included. Doctors from these selected jurisdictions will ultimately have an easier time acquiring a license in Alberta.

Aside from the great job opportunities, Alberta has access to great international airports such as Calgary International Airport and Edmonton International Airport. The Calgary International Airport is in the city of Calgary and is approximately 17 miles northeast of downtown Calgary and is the main headquarters for WestJet and a focus city for Air Canada. Edmonton International Airport is located approximately 30 km south of Downtown Edmonton and offers scheduled non-stop flights to the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, and Central America. Through these top airports, international doctors can access affordable flights to their home countries.

Overall, this province provides potential doctors with stability, community, and access to some of the most beautiful natural landscapes in the world.

3.British Columbia

The westernmost province in the country, British Columbia boasts a very diverse geography compared to most of Canada. It has craggy mountains, sandy beaches and mild temperatures. Balmy summers and gentler winters have made British Columbia a popular place for outdoor activities.

The province combines metropolitan living with quick access to breathtaking natural landscapes. Vancouver and Victoria are expansive cities located within British Columbia. The province is known as one of the most established in the country and has a strong healthcare system.

This year, the Government of BC is working with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC to implement a new process that will enable US-trained doctors to practice in BC without any need of examination, training, or assessment. These doctors must hold certification from the American Board of Medical specialties. The changes are expected to be implemented within the year, after undergoing the necessary consultations.

Healthcare professionals are in demand in both rural and urban areas. This has compelled the BC Ministry of Health to enact initiatives that will help attract healthcare professionals to more remote areas. These initiatives include signing bonuses, student loan forgiveness and even relocation assistance. By setting up these initiatives, the Government of BC will lessen the barrier of entry for US trained doctors and ultimately alleviate the lack of physicians in the province.

Apart from the great initiatives, BC is also home to the Vancouver International Airport. The airport is considered the second busiest airport in the country and is one of the key links between Canada and Asia. It is a hub for both Air Canada and WesJet. The airport is located on Sea Island, Richmond.

4.Manitoba

The province of Manitoba is located in the longitudinal centre of the country. Known as the fifth-most populous province in Canada. The area is very diverse, with boreal forests and arctic tundra.

Despite Canada's advanced healthcare, Manitoba has one of the lowest number of doctors per capita. This has led the province to establish regulatory changes that will make it easier for US doctors to relocate and practice in Manitoba. These changes will include streamlining the process for qualified doctors from the United States in getting their full license to practice in Manitoba. Currently the Manitoba provincial government is targeting doctors and other healthcare professionals from the nearby states of North and South Dakota, Minnesota, and Michigan.

Apart from the lessened restrictions, yet another advantage of living in Manitoba, is the lower cost of living. Compared to living in the more metropolitan provinces in Canada, housing, groceries and utilities are a lot more affordable in Manitoba.

As for air travel, Manitoba has the Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport.

It is considered the 11^h busiest airport in Canada and is a hub for Perimeter Airlines, Calm Air, and Cargojet. The airport shares space with the Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg. It offers flights across Canada, as well as the United States and some seasonal flights to the Caribbean and Mexico.

5.Saskatchewan

This landlocked province is a combination of prairie land and forests. Saskatchewan's economy is mostly mining, energy, and agriculture. Despite its great varied economy, it has lower living costs compared to other provinces, which can be very beneficial to doctors just moving there.

Due to its agrarian economy, there are many areas in Saskatchewan that have little access to doctors and other healthcare professionals. The province has a great need for doctors, and because of this, it is very easy to find employment as a doctor.

For international travel, Saskatchewan has the Regina International Airport, which is in Regina, Saskatoon and ranks as the 15^th busiest airport in Canada. It is considered an airport of entry, which makes it a port of entry for foreign visitors arriving in Canada.

Apart from employment opportunities, Saskatchewan offers doctors great earning potential and more time to spend with family and friends. If you are a doctor who cares about work-life balance, then Saskatchewan is the province for you.

While finding work and starting a new life in Canada can be tricky at first you don't need to start on this journey alone. Physicians' recruitment companies such as Physicians for You specialize in helping physicians throughout the whole recruitment process. They have a global team of friendly and knowledgeable recruiters that offer unique in-house services. These services include end-to-end physician recruitment to clinics, hospitals, and health organizations. This is achieved by leveraging years of experience, industry connections and in-depth resources. Start on your journey now, and we'll help you every step of the way.