Sylvia Jones, Ontario's Minister of Health, announced that the province has begun launching three programs aimed at increasing staff in the healthcare sector.

These programs are as follows: a $40 million fund to encourage healthcare providers to better connect patients with services, a program to allow internationally trained doctors to work more quickly, and a nursing mentorship program that was previously announced but is now being launched.

This announcement comes at a time when hospitals across the province are suffering from a shortage of nurses, leading to the closure of dozens of temporary emergency rooms.

The clinical researcher program will place an experienced nurse on the front lines to serve as a mentor for newly graduated or internationally trained nurses.

The Innovative Care Models Fund will provide financing to hospitals, family health teams, and other healthcare organizations for projects that allow for quick access to care and enhance the capacity of healthcare workers.

Additionally, the province states that the readiness-to-work program aimed at internationally trained doctors removes barriers for them, so there will be 50 new doctors working in Ontario by 2024.