By The Canadian Press

Canada should work to recruit bilingual health workers, Senate report says

Feb 17, 2026 | 9:58 AM

OTTAWA — A Senate report is calling on the federal government to fast-track immigration and credential recognition for francophone and bilingual health-care workers.

The Senate committee on Official Languages recently wrapped up a study on language barriers in the health system.

It heard from witnesses from across the country, including anglophones in Quebec and francophones in the rest of Canada, that they have trouble accessing care in their own language.

The report makes 14 recommendations to government to help improve access to care and to collect better data on the problem.

That includes creating a national strategy to provide telemedicine and virtual care in minority communities.

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Nova Scotia Sen. Allister Surette says even though health is a provincial responsibility, the federal government has an obligation to step in because of its authority over the Official Languages Act.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 17, 2026.

Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press