Frequent changes to Canada’s immigration policies are hindering efforts to address the shortage of early childhood educators (ECEs) and causing confusion among foreign educators looking to work in Newfoundland and Labrador, according to a Memorial University researcher. Pottie-Sherman says when the government tightened post-graduate work permit rules in 2024, early childhood educators were excluded, despite Canada’s severe shortage in that field. Shortly after, the government updated its list of programs offering post-study work visas to include childhood educators. Pottie-Sherman says the provincial government must solve the early childhood educator shortage from “within” the province. In 2023, the province introduced a medical and dental plan for childhood educators, but Gordon says the government has not been “responsive” enough.