Amplifying this important issue and the recommended letter writing action previously shared by CAOT
**Note: the letter template is very easy to fill in and only takes a few minutes to complete and send**
When Budget 2024 extended Canada Student Loan forgiveness to health and social service professionals beyond doctors and nurses, we were extremely disappointed to learn that occupational therapists were excluded.
At a time when healthcare needs are increasing in rural and remote Canada, the federal government must do more to encourage and support healthcare professionals, including occupational therapists, in relocating to these communities to practice.
We continue to engage in advocacy efforts related to this issue; we will be contacting rural and remote liberal Members of Parliament (MPs) and targeting government committees and the Minister’s Office to lobby for OTs’ inclusion within the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
We need your support to make this happen.
Please contact your MP to advocate for the inclusion of occupational therapists within the Program.
We especially encourage you to reach out if you are in a rural/remote Liberal riding. Let’s get our message to the decision-makers today!
Here’s how:
- Find or confirm your MP using your postal code.
- Use our fillable letter template to send them a letter indicating your support by the end of the summer. You could also reach out to them by telephone or set up a meeting to talk to them in person.
- Share our handy fact sheet with your MP along with your letter or provide it to them in a meeting.
Your voice can make all the difference in these issues. Please consider taking a few minutes of your time today to send a letter.
In partnership with Syntax, a government relations firm, we are also offering support for CAOT member advocacy efforts on this topic via an online training session.
If you are interested in the training or have any questions, please contact us at advocacy@caot.ca.