Which Provinces in Canada Are Actively Recruiting Nurses

Canada’s healthcare system is under real pressure. Hospitals are short-staffed, rural clinics are stretched thin, and long-term care homes are struggling to keep up with an ageing population. For nurses looking to build a career abroad, this shortage has created one of the most open doors in Canadian immigration today.

But not every province is recruiting at the same pace, and not every recruitment stream leads to permanent residency in the same way. If you are a nurse planning your move, understanding where the demand is sharpest and how each province connects that demand to an immigration pathway can save you months of guesswork.

This guide breaks down which provinces are actively recruiting nurses in 2026, what specialities they need most, and how the immigration side of the process actually works.

Why the Nursing Shortage Keeps Growing

A few forces are driving this shortage at the same time, which is part of why it has not eased despite years of recruitment campaigns.

• An Ageing Population: By 2030, roughly one in four Canadians will be over the age of 65. That means more chronic disease management, more surgical care, and a much larger need for long-term and palliative services.
• A Retiring Workforce: Many of the nurses who kept the system running for decades are now retiring, taking clinical experience and institutional knowledge with them faster than new graduates can replace it.
• Lingering Burnout: The pandemic pushed many nurses into early retirement, part time work, or entirely different careers. The workforce is still recovering from that period.
• Growth Outside Hospitals: Community health programs and long term care facilities have expanded quickly, creating a second wave of demand that runs parallel to hospital staffing needs.

Industry estimates now project Canada could face a shortage of well over 100,000 nurses by 2030, with tens of thousands of positions expected to remain unfilled through 2026 alone.

Province by Province: Where the Demand Is Sharpest

Ontario

Ontario has Canada’s largest population and, consequently, the highest number of nursing vacancies. While major hospital networks in Toronto continue to recruit, the greatest demand is in Northern Ontario, where remote communities face persistent staffing shortages. Key hiring areas include Toronto, Thunder Bay, Sudbury, Timmins, North Bay, and Kenora.

From January 1, 2026, eligible nurses from other Canadian provinces and select international jurisdictions, including the United States, can begin working in Ontario within about ten days under temporary authorisation. They may work while their registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario is finalised, significantly reducing previous registration delays and helping employers fill urgent vacancies more quickly. 

British Columbia

BC is dealing with severe shortages that stretch from downtown Vancouver hospitals all the way to the Interior and Northern regions. Fraser Health, Vancouver Coastal Health, and Northern Health are all actively recruiting internationally, and BC became the first jurisdiction in Canada to introduce minimum nurse to patient ratios, a policy aimed directly at retention and workload management.

Long term care outside the Vancouver metro area remains particularly understaffed, and the BC Provincial Nominee Program is regularly used to support work permits and permanent residency for nurses with a valid job offer. The main hiring areas include Vancouver, Interior BC, Northern BC, Prince George, Kamloops.

Alberta

Alberta consistently offers some of the highest nursing wages in Canada, making it an attractive destination for internationally educated nurses. Registered nurses in Calgary and Edmonton earn among the country’s top salaries, while Alberta Health Services, Canada’s largest healthcare employer, continues to invest in programmes that support workforce integration, training, and career development for qualified professionals.

Demand extends beyond the major cities. Rural communities, particularly Fort McMurray and Grande Prairie, offer premium compensation packages, relocation incentives, and additional benefits to attract nurses to hard-to-fill positions. These opportunities provide strong earning potential alongside a clear pathway into Alberta’s healthcare system. Key hiring areas include Calgary, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, and Medicine Hat. 

Manitoba

Manitoba operates some of Canada’s most direct nursing recruitment programmes, including Strategic Recruitment Initiatives that allow provincial representatives to interview qualified nurses at overseas job fairs. These efforts help eligible candidates move through the recruitment process more quickly than the standard application stream, creating faster opportunities for internationally educated nurses.

Demand is especially high in Northern Manitoba, where fly-in nursing stations, First Nations health clinics, and remote healthcare facilities continue to face critical staffing shortages. Nurses willing to work in these communities often benefit from increased employment opportunities and specialised experience. Key hiring areas include Winnipeg, Thompson, Brandon, and The Pas. 

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is widely recognised as one of Canada’s most welcoming provinces for travelling and internationally educated nurses. Healthcare employers actively recruit skilled professionals to address ongoing workforce shortages, particularly in rural hospitals and smaller communities where staffing challenges remain significant. Emergency departments and general nursing roles continue to experience some of the highest demand across the province.

Many rural employers offer signing bonuses, relocation assistance, and other incentives to attract qualified nurses willing to work outside major cities. These positions often provide valuable clinical experience alongside competitive compensation. Key hiring areas include Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert, North Battleford, and La Ronge. 

Nova Scotia and Atlantic Canada

Nova Scotia has become one of Canada’s most active provinces for healthcare recruitment. In April 2026, it updated its Labour Market Priorities so that Level 1 priority for applicants outside Canada is reserved for healthcare and skilled trades workers. Nova Scotia Health also provides relocation support, while the Atlantic Immigration Program offers a direct pathway to permanent residency for eligible nurses.

Demand remains high across Atlantic Canada, including New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island, where ageing populations continue to increase healthcare needs. Remote communities in Labrador often provide some of the region’s highest compensation packages. Key hiring areas include Halifax, Saint John, St. John’s, Charlottetown, and Labrador. 

Quebec

Quebec continues to experience strong demand for qualified nurses, particularly as its healthcare system responds to an ageing population and ongoing workforce shortages. However, the province operates under a separate immigration and licensing framework from the rest of Canada. French language proficiency is generally required for most nursing positions, and internationally educated nurses must complete Quebec’s provincial licensing process instead of the NCLEX used elsewhere in the country.

A major 2026 change was the suspension of the Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ) for graduates, prompting many bilingual nurses to pursue federal Express Entry French-language draws instead. Candidates with strong French language skills can improve their Comprehensive Ranking System score and, in some cases, receive permanent residency within four to six months. 

The Territories

Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and Nunavut face some of the most critical nursing shortages in Canada due to their remote locations and limited healthcare workforce. Many communities are accessible only by air, requiring nurses to work in isolated settings and manage a broader range of clinical responsibilities than they typically would in larger urban hospitals.

To attract qualified professionals, employers offer some of Canada’s most competitive compensation packages. These often include northern allowances, subsidised housing, paid travel, relocation assistance, and other financial incentives. For nurses seeking higher earnings, diverse clinical experience, and faster access to employment, the territories remain one of the country’s most rewarding destinations. 

Province-by-Province Comparison of Nursing Recruitment in Canada (2026)

 

Province/Territory	Most Active Recruitment Areas	High-Demand Nursing Specialties	Key 2026 Recruitment Incentive
Ontario	Northern Ontario, Toronto	Emergency, ICU, Long-Term Care	“As of Right” registration allowing eligible nurses to start work within about 10 days
British Columbia	Interior BC, Northern BC	ICU, Community Health, Long-Term Care	Introduction of minimum nurse-to-patient ratios
Alberta	Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie	Critical Care, Medical-Surgical	Among the highest nursing wages in Canada
Manitoba	Thompson, Northern Manitoba	Emergency, Community Health, Remote Nursing	Strategic overseas recruitment initiatives and international job fairs
Saskatchewan	Prince Albert, La Ronge	Emergency, Rural Generalist Care	Signing bonuses and relocation assistance for rural positions
Nova Scotia	Halifax, Rural Nova Scotia	Long-Term Care, Community Health	Level 1 immigration priority for healthcare workers under Labour Market Priorities
Territories	Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut	Generalist RN, Remote & Broad-Scope Practice	Northern allowances, subsidised housing, and travel benefits

How Nursing Demand Connects to Immigration Pathways

Recruitment demand only matters if there is a clear route to work legally in Canada, and this is where the immigration side of the process becomes just as important as the job offer itself.

Express Entry Healthcare Category Draws

IRCC regularly holds healthcare-specific Express Entry draws for occupations such as registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). These category-based draws often have lower CRS score requirements than general draws, giving qualified nurses a faster and more competitive route to Canadian permanent residency.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Provinces including Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Nova Scotia actively nominate healthcare professionals through dedicated PNP streams. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points, significantly increasing the likelihood of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency.

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP)

The Atlantic Immigration Program allows designated employers in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Prince Edward Island to recruit skilled nurses from abroad. Eligible candidates with a valid job offer can access a streamlined pathway to Canadian permanent residency while filling critical healthcare vacancies.

Provincial Nursing Licensing Requirements

Licensing is essential before working as a nurse in Canada. Internationally educated nurses must first complete a National Nursing Assessment Service (NNAS) credential assessment, followed by the NCLEX-RN and any required provincial jurisprudence exam before obtaining registration to practise. Because licensing can take as long as, or longer than, the immigration application itself, the two processes are best started at the same time rather than one after the other.

Build Your Nursing Immigration Pathway with Certified Lawyers 

Every province has its own registration requirements, nomination criteria, and processing timelines, which can change over time. At Ansari Immigration Law, led by Yameena Ansari, we help nurses identify the province and immigration pathway best suited to their qualifications.

From credential assessments to permanent residency applications, our team provides personalised guidance at every stage. We simplify the process so you can pursue your nursing career in Canada with confidence. 

Frequently Ask Questions