Quebec relies on the strengths of foreign countries, including in key sectors such as health, and most often without an official invitation. The ambassadors of Morocco and Benin as well as a recruiter abroad wish to send a signal to the government of Quebec.
Everyone recognizes that brain drain, a phenomenon also known as brain drain in English, has existed for a long time. With one difference: today, it is governments that recruit directly, like that of Quebec, without always asking for authorization or offering compensation.
“On the side of governments looking for this workforce, these skills, there should be a certain restraint and reflection,” said Morocco’s ambassador to Canada, Souriya Otmani.
After the terrible earthquake that struck Morocco last September, local media reported that hospitals were understaffed, an already acute shortage made worse by the bloodshed of professionals encouraged by recruiting countries.
Three days later, an official Quebec government page unabashedly announced an information session for those wishing to immigrate to the province, with health sector jobs on the line.
The few human resources “which we urgently need” are “pumped in a somewhat cynical manner by partners who are already much more developed”, indicates the ambassador of the Republic of Benin to Canada and the United States. United, Jean-Claude do Rego.
Health and education are areas of concern for both officials, while other technical professions are of less concern to them. “Yes, there are certain professional categories where there is a surplus, and Morocco seeks to secure opportunities, including abroad,” explains the Moroccan diplomat.
There are “completely legal” official recruitment channels for these fields, such as the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Skills (ANAPEC) in Morocco. This national agency, however, is careful not to encourage exodus in “very sensitive sectors”, such as health, says Mr. Otmani. She wishes to clarify that she is only giving her point of view while admitting that the subject is regularly discussed in several political and economic arenas in the country.
The exodus of nurses, caregivers, doctors, and care assistants is “a dead loss for a rapidly developing country like ours, which needs all its qualified human resources,” she adds.
Countries in a critical situation
Since 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) has published a red list of countries whose health systems are the most vulnerable, in order to alert recruiting countries.
Quebec is recruiting directly in Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Togo and Senegal, countries which appear on the List of support and safeguarding of health personnel. Failing to be able to prohibit it, the WHO asks recruiting governments to adhere to a certain code of conduct and to conclude agreements with worker pools.
Ambassador do Rego does not expressly target Quebec’s efforts in his country of origin, but he believes that the province is well placed to “find better modalities” so that this type of exchange “can remain compatible with the needs development of society which lets its talents disappear,” he explains.
This West African country funds public education, including post-secondary training. However, like the indignation surrounding Quebec doctors who go to practice elsewhere, this “national economic equation is negative,” indicates Yves Legault, executive vice-president of ISA Immigration and Recruitment.
“The political discourse is: ‘No problem, we will look for nurses abroad.’ But we did not pay for their education and there is no return mechanism. There is a blatant inequity in this migratory model,” insists Mr. Legault, who is also honorary consul of Benin in Toronto.
Solutions
People themselves express the desire to live abroad, recognizing Yves Legault, in the “search for a better life for themselves, but especially for their children”. If, however, the conditions were met in their country of origin, “they would not have to expatriate”. The challenge is, therefore, to help “build opportunities” in their country of origin, at a time when Western countries are showing a certain lack of interest in international cooperation.
“I am not Manichaean. I understand the fundamental reasons which push certain countries to find this solution to their problems”, affirms the ambassador of Benin, who calls for “finding a compromise solution”.
He mentions in particular the desire of his government for several years to obtain a greater number of places at reduced cost in the Quebec education system. Foreigners pay much higher tuition fees than citizens or permanent residents, but scholarships exist to exempt them. “We only benefit from a quota of ten scholarships, while we have 50 times more applications,” he illustrates.
A discussion has also already been launched in Morocco and Benin to find incentives to stay there, by improving salary conditions.
It gives the example of an agreement with Germany, which provides for training for Moroccan workers and a possible return to their country of origin. “No one will force them [to return to their country], but we insist as soon as recruitment is a condition of departure so that Morocco also benefits from this training.”
