A Matter of Integration or Discrimination? Tracing the (Political) Use of Evidence in the Politics of Foreign Credential Recognition in Canada

Abstract

The problem of foreign credential recognition (FCR) in Canada has been widely researched by academics revealing three main explanations: admission policy, institutional complexities, and discrimination. While the problem of FCR has been documented in academia, little is known about government approaches to this issue. Using the literature on evidence-based policymaking as a theoretical basis, this research explores what evidence is used and how throughout the policy process addressing the problem of FCR. The main findings are fourfold. First, politicians are highly selective in their evidence use. Second, the range of evidence presented to politicians ultimately has little demonstrable impact on final policy decisions. Third, politicians add their own non-academic explanations for the problem of FCR to control its conceptualization. Fourth, politicians exhibit a political use of evidence in selecting only those supporting their original policy positions. Thus, this use of evidence reveals an interesting, yet hidden, exercise of power by politicians.