The federal government is making good on an election promise by launching a student loan forgiveness program for medical personnel who will to work in rural and small-city Canada.
Health minister Leona Aglukkaq announced Dec. 28 that effective April 1, doctors, residents, nurses and nurse practitioners working in rural communities or smaller cities of fewer than 50,000 will be able to apply to Ottawa for some student loan forgiveness.
Nurses and nurse practitioners can apply for $4,000 of loan forgiveness per year for five years. Family doctors and residents can apply for $8,000 in loan forgiveness for five years.
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The Conservative government has designated a total of 4,200 rural, remote and small city communities as eligible.
“Our government is committed to strengthening health care for all Canadians,” said Aglukkaq in a written statement issued in Ottawa. “By offering Canada Student Loan forgiveness, we’re doing our part to encourage family doctors and nurses to serve Canadians in rural and remote communities and improve access to primary health care.”
She represents a remote Nunavut riding.
During the last election campaign, various parties promised to improve rural health-care access by attracting more medical graduates to move to rural practices or hospitals. The Conservatives included the promise and commitment in a Throne Speech and budget.
The program starts with the 2013-14 fiscal year.
Although there are no requirements that eligible medical personnel sign a contract to stay in rural or small city Canada, future loan forgiveness will be contingent on their rural presence.
