Labour Mobility and Trade Agreements for Pharmacy in Canada: Insights from Ontario and Nova Scotia

As Canada advances its healthcare workforce strategies, labour mobility and interprovincial credential recognition are key to improving access to pharmacy services nationwide. This session features insights from Ontario and Nova Scotia, highlighting how trade agreements and regulatory frameworks are influencing the future of pharmacy practice across provinces. Join us for a timely conversation on recent developments, ongoing challenges, and emerging opportunities in health human resources planning.

Presenters:

Susan James
With a career in professional regulation spanning over 25 years, Susan has been a pivotal force in the field, leveraging her prior background as a healthcare clinician, administrator, and lecturer. Since 2006, she has dedicated her expertise to the Ontario College of Pharmacists, the regulatory body for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, and pharmacies. Susan is the Director, Registration and Quality, where she oversees programs and teams responsible for the registration and quality assurance of registered pharmacy professionals, and the accreditation and operational standards of pharmacies in community pharmacy, hospital and drug preparation practice environments. Susan is not only a leader within her organization but also an influential figure on the global stage. Since 2012, she has been an engaged volunteer with the Federation of International Pharmacists (FIP). In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the development of the pharmaceutical workforce, Susan was honored with an FIP Fellowship in 2019. Through her leadership within the Ontario College of Pharmacists and her far-reaching global contributions, Susan continues to shape the future of pharmacy practice and stands out as a distinguished leader within the profession. Academically, Susan holds a Master of Public Administration from Queens University and a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy from Western University. Her academic foundation, combined with her wealth of practical experience, positions her as a dynamic and highly respected figure in the evolving landscape of professional regulation.

Bev Zwicker
Bev is the CEO and Registrar of the Nova Scotia Pharmacy Regulator (NSPR) and also the Chair of the Nova Scotia Prescription Monitoring Board. Bev has been instrumental in advancing regulatory modernization and aligning regulatory frameworks with public health needs and equity principles. Under her leadership, the NS pharmacy regulator has championed collaborative approaches to address healthcare system challenges including the modernizing and streamlining of licensure pathways for internationally educated pharmacists.

Natalie Crown
Bio coming soon.