The Ontario government has shared that historic ‘as of right’ labour mobility and mutual recognition regulations, dubbed the first of their kind in Canada, came into force on Jan. 1, as part of a broader suite of changes.
In a news release, Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development explained that the new ‘as of right’ rule:
- enables architects, engineers, geoscientists, land surveyors, electricians, and other in-demand certified professionals to start working in Ontario within 10 business days from the relevant Ontario regulator’s confirmation of their credentials and requirements
- covers professions governed by over 50 regulatory authorities and 300 certifications
“By streamlining the process for certified professionals from other Canadian jurisdictions to work in Ontario, we’re opening doors for talent and driving economic growth,” said David Piccini, Ontario’s minister of labour, immigration, training, and skills development, in the news release.
Through the regulations, the province said it seeks to:
- unlock free trade in Canada in 2026
- break down interprovincial barriers
- create opportunities for Ontario and Canadian workers and businesses
- build a unified workforce in Canada that can withstand US tariffs and global economic uncertainty
- protect Ontario and strengthen its economic competitiveness
- help employers more speedily access skilled workers and fill critical roles
For health professions
The Ontario government has also extended the ‘as of right’ rule to 16 additional regulated health professions and moved closer toward automatically recognizing physicians and nurses who are registered and in good standing in other provinces and territories.
“Our government is cutting red tape so physicians, nurses, and other regulated health professionals from across Canada can start working in Ontario sooner,” said Sylvia Jones, Ontario’s deputy premier and health minister.
Through the reforms, the province said it aims to:
- expand labour mobility for regulated health professionals
- strengthen Ontario’s healthcare workforce
- facilitate access to healthcare talent
- continue maintaining regulatory oversight
“By strengthening labour mobility, we’re making it easier for qualified professionals to practise here and helping people get the right care, in the right place, where and when they need it,” Jones added in Ontario’s news release.
Mutual recognition
A recently published draft regulation under the Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act, 2025, will advance the mutual recognition of goods and services from fellow reciprocating Canadian jurisdictions.
According to Ontario, this regulation seeks to:
- support free trade and labour mobility across Canada
- address internal trade barriers, which cost the economy up to $200 billion yearly
- reduce red tape by removing the need to comply with numerous sets of regulatory requirements
- help workers expand their trades into other provinces and territories
- promote economic integration across the country
“In the face of uncertainty, our government has taken unprecedented action to break down internal trade barriers and address the burdensome regulations that have restricted our domestic and national economies,” said Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s minister of economic development, job creation, and trade, in the news release.
Starting in April 2025, Ontario has signed economic cooperation memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with 10 provinces and territories. These MOUs aim to advance interprovincial trade, promote economic resilience, and lower costly regulatory barriers.