Canada’s finance minister highlighted increased support for a government program easing the student debt burden of medical professionals during a post-budget stop in Halifax Tuesday.
Chrystia Freeland said the $26.2-million commitment over four years in the federal budget is aimed at addressing the shortage of health-care professionals in rural and remote communities.
Beginning in 2023, nurses who choose to work in underserved rural areas could see up to $30,000 in loan forgiveness, while the figure increases to as much as $60,000 for doctors.
Speaking at Dalhousie University’s medical school, Freeland said the assistance can help in provinces such as Nova Scotia where the wait-list to see a family doctor is “too long.”
