Ottawa has expanded its student loan forgiveness program to include several more occupations including dentists, psychologists, early childhood educators, and teachers.
The Canada Student Loan forgiveness benefit was first introduced in 2013, aiming to attract more health-care professionals to rural communities.
The expansion of the program was introduced in Budget 2024 and took effect on Dec. 31, 2025, to include health care and social services jobs, as first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter. These jobs include dentists, dental hygienists, early childhood educators, midwives, personal support workers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, psychologists, social workers, and teachers.
Previously eligible jobs are still included, such as family doctor, licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, registered practical nurse….