A new report from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba finds many International Medical Graduates (IMGs) living and practicing in Manitoba encounter discrimination and barriers in the workplace. 

By the numbers: CPSM’s report draws attention to a concerning issue impacting a large segment of physicians in Manitoba: 

• 37% of Manitoba’s physician workforce is made up of IMGs. 

• 64% of IMG respondents experienced discrimination or harassment in the workplace. 

• 89% did not report the discrimination or harassment they experienced to someone in authority, often fearing negative consequences. 

• 19% identified a lack of peer support as a significant barrier. 

Zoom in: IMGs described their experience with discrimination and harassment in more detail: 

• Attitudes based on race, ethnicity, religion, or place of origin, severely impacted their integration into regional health care teams. 

• Clinical experience and qualifications obtained internationally are systematically undervalued compared to domestic graduates. 

Why it matters: IMG recruitment has been a big part of reducing Manitoba’s doctor shortage, accounting for about 60% of new physicians last year alone. But they face unique challenges when entering practice here. This includes: 

• Navigating processes for referrals and identifying specialists 

• Limited resources in rural/​remote practice setting 

• Inadequate peer support 

• Lack of clarity about remuneration & billing 

✅Good News: When support was available, it was overwhelmingly used: 

• 93% of IMG respondents accepted formal onboarding. 

• 91% used mentorship when it was offered. 

👉 How We’re Helping: Doctors Manitoba has been expanding our services to better support all new physicians in Manitoba, with a special focus for IMGs. This includes: 

• Launching our New to Practice program offering personalized advice and support for physicians’ first five years of practice in Manitoba. 

• Extending our membership and supports earlier to include participants in the Medical Licensure Program for IMGs. 

• Supporting formal orientation including participating in CPSM’s new two-day orientation for physicians new-to-practice in Manitoba. 

• Holding a roundtable with early career physicians to identify other opportunities, including expanding physician peer support. 

We are developing two new signature services to assist all physicians, including IMG physicians: 

• PracticeForward offers more personalized billing and remuneration advice and practice support, helping to better respond to questions on this topic from new physicians 

• Doctor Directory will be launching this fall, helping all physicians identify colleagues to collaborate with and better direct referrals and consultations. 

Join us in recognizing and celebrating the diversity and expertise of all Manitoba’s Physicians: 

• Watch our video.

A shared responsibility: Successful integration of IMGs is a shared responsibility. New-to-Manitoba physicians need practical supports such as orientation, onboarding and mentorship to understand local practice environments and expectations. 

Go Deeper:

• Read more about the Strengthening Integration into Practice Report here

• “International doctors in Manitoba face ongoing harassment, discrimination: report” (Winnipeg Free Press)

• ​“Make International Doctors Feel Welcome – Or Risk Losing Them” (Winnipeg Free Press opinion)

The report emerged from the CPSM IMG Working Group, in which Doctors Manitoba participated.