Canada says it needs healthcare workers. But what happens when immigration decisions push them out?
In a case reported by CityNews, UK midwife Heather Gilchrist’s situation is raising serious concerns about how immigration policy is being applied, and whether it is aligned with Canada’s healthcare needs.
A Qualified Midwife Forced to Leave Canada
Heather Gilchrist, a highly experienced midwife from the United Kingdom, moved to British Columbia to help address the province’s ongoing midwifery shortage.
She completed the University of British Columbia’s Internationally Educated Midwives Bridging Program, a key pathway for internationally trained midwives to practise in BC, and began working with a local midwifery team.
Despite this, her application for a post-graduate work permit was refused twice by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- First refusal: missing English language test results
- Second refusal: IRCC stated the program “does not lead to a certificate, diploma, or degree”
Following the refusals, she was required to stop working and ultimately prepare to leave Canada.
IRCC’s Decision Raises Broader Questions
The reasoning behind the second refusal has drawn particular attention.
UBC’s bridging program has been used for years to support internationally trained midwives entering the profession in British Columbia. If it is now considered ineligible for post-graduate work permits, this raises a critical question: Is Canada effectively closing a key pathway for internationally trained healthcare professionals?
The lack of clear guidance from IRCC adds to the uncertainty, not only for applicants, but also for institutions and regulators who rely on these pathways.
Impact on BC’s Healthcare System
This case is not happening in isolation.
British Columbia continues to face:
- Midwifery shortages
- Increasing patient waitlists
- Growing burnout among healthcare providers
In this context, losing even one qualified midwife has real consequences.
Patients relying on continuity of care may be reassigned, and already stretched teams must absorb additional workload. The impact is immediate and human, not just administrative.
Will Tao on Immigration Decision-Making
Canadian immigration lawyer Will Tao from Heron Law Offices has raised concerns about how decisions like this are being made in the current policy environment.
As he notes, as featured by CityNews in a video interview: “Sometimes… immigration officers invite these ‘misunderstandings.’”
His comments point to a broader systemic issue: under increasing pressure to manage temporary immigration levels, decisions may be trending toward refusal in situations involving ambiguity.
This creates risk not only for applicants, but also for sectors, like healthcare, that rely on immigration pathways.
A Growing Disconnect Between Policy and Need
The Gilchrist case highlights a deeper tension in Canada’s immigration system:
- On one hand, there is a stated need for skilled healthcare workers
- On the other, immigration pathways may be narrowing or inconsistently applied
When a candidate completes an approved program, works in the field, and still cannot secure authorization to remain — it raises concerns about predictability and fairness in the system.
What Needs to Happen Next
This case underscores the need for greater clarity and coordination, including:
- Clear guidance from IRCC on program eligibility for post-graduate work permits
- Alignment between federal immigration policy and provincial healthcare workforce needs
- Greater transparency in decision-making where pathways impact critical sectors
Without this, similar cases are likely to continue, with consequences for both applicants and the communities they serve.
Final Thoughts
Heather Gilchrist’s case is more than an individual immigration matter. It reflects a broader challenge in Canada’s approach to skilled migration.
If immigration pathways cannot reliably support qualified healthcare professionals, even when they follow established routes, Canada risks undermining its own workforce goals.
At a time when healthcare systems are under pressure, ensuring that immigration policy supports, rather than disrupts, critical services is more important than ever.
