A Socio-Legal Analysis of Foreign Credentials Assessments and Recognition in Canada in Law and the Media: Logic, Legitimation and Limitations Regarding Foreign Trained Professionals (FTPS)

Given that the struggles of foreign trained professionals (FTPs) in Canada are largely attributable to social and structural barriers relating to their accreditation, the objective of this dissertation is to identify recommendations and policy options geared at improving foreign credentials assessments and recognition in Canada. To achieve this end, a variety of sources including, doctrinal legal materials (i.e. human rights tribunal and court cases), policies, news media reports as well as secondary literature in law and socio-legal studies will be qualitatively analyzed and synthesized. The argument will be made that more work needs to be done in relation to: a) the reassessment/improvement of accreditation and employment requirements for FTPs; b) the revision of immigration policies to ensure that they are in tune with labour market demands as well as regulatory requirements and processes; and c) the provision of more expansive legal interpretations/decisions by human rights tribunals and courts, in the realm of regulatory policies and human rights protections, which demonstrate more sensitivity to the social and structural challenges experienced by FTPs. Although regulatory bodies, employers, governments, and legal arbitrators within the justice system have already taken steps towards addressing the predicament of FTPs, a prominent concern for many stakeholders has to do with how best to balance as well as maintain public safety and regulatory standards, while making space for the effective integration of FTPs in the Canadian workforce.