Growing Demand for Psychiatrists in Canada

Are Psychiatrists in High Demand in Canada?

Yes, psychiatrists are highly sought after across Canada. Multiple reports from Canadian health authorities confirm a psychiatrist shortage in Canada, particularly in rural regions and smaller provinces. Long waiting times for mental health consultations often stretching from months to over a year clearly reflect the supply-demand gap.

With mental health now a national healthcare priority, psychiatrist jobs in Canada are consistently listed under high-demand healthcare occupations.

Reasons Behind the High Demand for Psychiatrists in Canada

Several factors contribute to the growing demand for mental health professionals in Canada:

1. Rising Mental Health Awareness

Canadians are increasingly seeking professional help for conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, and schizophrenia. This has sharply increased the demand for psychiatrists and psychologists.

2. Post-Pandemic Mental Health Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered widespread mental health challenges, accelerating the need for mental health jobs in Canada, especially psychiatry.

3. Aging Population

Canada’s aging population requires specialized psychiatric care for dementia, Alzheimer’s, and age-related mental health conditions.

4. Retirement of Existing Psychiatrists

A large portion of Canada’s psychiatrist workforce is nearing retirement, worsening the psychiatrist shortage in Canada.

5. Limited Local Graduates

Despite high demand, the number of psychiatry graduates each year is not sufficient—creating strong opportunities for internationally trained doctors.

Provinces with the Highest Demand for Psychiatrists

The provinces with the highest demand for psychiatrists in Canada over the next three years are New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan, all rated with very good job prospects. Provinces such as Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Quebec show good demand. Demand is driven by psychiatrist shortages and expansion of mental health services.

Job Prospects for Psychiatrists by Province (Next 3 Years as per Job Bank)

Many provinces actively recruit internationally educated psychiatrists through targeted programs.

Eligibility Requirements to Work as a Psychiatrist in Canada

According to Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC), psychiatrists fall under NOC 31101 – Specialist Physicians, a key reference point for assessing eligibility under Canadian immigration programs. To work as a psychiatrist in Canada, candidates must meet the standard employment requirements applicable to Specialist Physicians (NOC 31100). These requirements cover education, medical training, certification, and licensing.
Here’s what you typically need:

Educational Background

Medical and Specialty Training

Certification Requirements

Licensing Requirements

Each province has its own regulatory authority, such as the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, British Columbia, or Alberta. These bodies evaluate qualifications, conduct assessments, and issue licenses to eligible candidates.

Internationally trained psychiatrists must usually complete credential verification, certification exams, and sometimes supervised practice before receiving full licensure.

How to Become a Psychiatrist in Canada?

To become a psychiatrist in Canada, you must complete medical education, specialty training in psychiatry, national certification, and provincial licensing. Here are the exact steps:
1. Complete a bachelor’s degree (pre-medical education).

2. Graduate from an approved medical school with an MD degree.

3. Finish 4–5 years of psychiatry residency training.

4. Pass required medical licensing exams (such as MCCQE).

5. Obtain certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).

6. Get licensed by the provincial or territorial medical regulatory authority.

7. Meet language proficiency requirements (English or French).

Internationally trained psychiatrists must also complete credential verification and specialist assessment before receiving a license to practice.

Salary of Psychiatrists in Canada

The average salary of psychiatrists in Canada ranges widely by province and experience level. Nationally, annual wages typically range from CAD 126,000 to over CAD 600,000, with a median salary of about CAD 311,000 per year. Provinces such as Manitoba, Quebec, and British Columbia report some of the highest median earnings for psychiatrists.

Psychiatrist Salaries in Canada by Province (Annual)

Additional benefits may include incentives, relocation bonuses, and flexible work schedules.

New Express Entry Category for Physicians with Canadian Work Experience (2026 Update)

Canada has introduced a new Express Entry category specifically for physicians with Canadian work experience, creating a faster and more competitive permanent residence (PR) pathway for eligible doctors, including psychiatrists in Canada.

Announced by IRCC in December 2025, this new category-based selection stream is designed to address physician shortages and strengthen Canada’s healthcare system. The first draws under this category are expected to begin in early 2026.

Because category-based Express Entry draws often have lower CRS cut-off scores, this pathway can significantly improve PR chances for qualified physicians.

Medical Occupations Included in the New Category

The new category covers selected physician occupations under the National Occupation Classification (NOC), including:

This creates a direct Canada PR advantage for those already working in psychiatry jobs in Canada on valid authorization.

Frequently Asked Questions