Bridging global excellence with Canadian healthcare.
Black International Medical Graduates bring extensive clinical expertise, linguistic diversity and global medical perspectives to Canada. Navigating provincial licensure, credential verification and residency matching often presents serious systemic hurdles. BPC makes sure Black IMGs do not navigate them alone.
Support at every stage of your Canadian journey.
We view international medical expertise through an asset-based lens. Our IMG programming is built on three pillars that support physicians through every stage of their integration into Canadian healthcare.
Credential + licensing support
Guidance for the MCCQE, NAC OSCE and Practice-Ready Assessment routes.
Learn moreMentorship 2.0 matching
Direct connection with practising Black physicians and former IMGs.
Learn moreSystemic advocacy + reform
Working to dismantle structural barriers in licensing and CaRMS.
Learn moreNavigating licensure and examinations
Clear, plain-language guidance through each step of the Canadian licensing process.
- Medical Council of Canada (MCC) requirements: step-by-step strategies for the MCCQE Part I and the National Assessment Collaboration (NAC) OSCE.
- Practice-Ready Assessment (PRA) routes: provincial programs that offer direct-to-practice pathways for experienced specialists and family physicians.
- Alternate clinical and academic roles: using your clinical expertise in research, public health and administration while you pursue full licensure.
An IMG peer network that understands the journey.
Black IMGs are paired with practising Black staff physicians and former IMGs who understand the systemic and personal challenges of the Canadian licensing journey.
One-on-one mentorship
Matching by specialty, region, language (including Francophone pathways) and licensure stage.
CaRMS application + interview preparation
Peer-led mock interviews, application strategy sessions and personal statement workshops for residency applicants.
Wellness + peer support
Safe, community-oriented spaces to address burnout, isolation and the emotional toll of career disruption.
Individual resilience, paired with structural change.
BPC works with provincial regulatory bodies, postgraduate medical education (PGME) offices and health authorities to remove systemic barriers.
Addressing anti-Black racism in selection
Advocating for transparent, standardised CaRMS selection criteria to eliminate implicit bias and structural discrimination.
Expanding assessment capacity
Calling for more government funding and more Practice-Ready Assessment seats in every province.
Data transparency + research
Using the Pan-Canadian Black Medical Learner and Physician Census to track and report IMG licensure outcomes and policy bottlenecks.
Institutional and regulatory recommendations.
Evidence-based recommendations to Canadian medical institutions, provincial colleges and health policymakers to speed the equitable integration of Black IMGs.
| Stakeholder group | Key policy objective | Strategic impact |
|---|---|---|
| Provincial medical colleges (CPSO, CPSBC and others) | Expand non-residency licensure pathways and streamline Practice-Ready Assessments. | Directly reduces physician shortages in underserved communities across Canada. |
| Postgraduate medical education (PGME) | Mandate implicit bias mitigation training for all residency selection committees. | Ensures fair evaluation of international clinical credentials, research and lived experience. |
| Provincial health ministries | Allocate dedicated residency and assessment seats for racialised international graduates. | Promotes health equity and systemic representation across provincial healthcare systems. |
Resources for International Medical Graduates.
Guides, updates and opportunities from the Black Health Hub.
Health Canada: Finding Health Services
Information from Health Canada on how health services are organised and accessed across the country.
Preparing for Residency Interviews
Practical steps for preparing for residency interviews with confidence.
CaRMS: Resources for Applicants
Official information on the residency matching process from the Canadian Resident Matching Service.
Learn, connect and grow.
Three ways to take the next step.
Register as an IMG member: access our private member portal, peer forums and mentorship networks.
Get the IMG licensure roadmap: a practical, step-by-step checklist and resource guide for foreign-trained physicians in Canada.
Take part in the Pan-Canadian Census: share your experience to build the evidence base for policy reform.
Stay connected
Subscribe for IMG resources, events and advocacy updates from BPC.