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<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\tJanuary 5, 2026<\/p>\n
First-in-Canada labour mobility and mutual recognition regulations will break down interprovincial barriers for workers and strengthen Ontario\u2019s economy<\/p>\n
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TORONTO\u00a0\u2013\u00a0As part of the government\u2019s plan to protect Ontario and strengthen its economic resilience, on January 1, the province is bringing into force historic labour mobility and free-trade regulations that break down interprovincial barriers for workers and businesses\u00a0and\u00a0help employers access the skilled Canadian workers they need sooner.\u00a0These historic changes are part of the government\u2019s plan to support Ontario and Canadian workers and build a unified Canadian workforce that can stand up to U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty.<\/p>\n
Starting\u00a0January 1, 2026, new \u201cAs of Right\u201d labour mobility regulations will allow in-demand certified professionals such as architects, engineers, geoscientists, land surveyors and\u00a0electricians to begin working in Ontario within 10 business days, once credentials and requirements are confirmed by the applicable Ontario regulator.\u00a0The historic implementation of this \u201cAs of Right\u201d rule will apply across professions covered by more than 50 regulatory authorities and 300 certifications, helping\u00a0employers fill critical roles faster, support workers moving between provinces and strengthen Ontario\u2019s economic competitiveness.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy streamlining the process for certified professionals from other Canadian jurisdictions to work in Ontario, we\u2019re opening doors for talent and driving economic growth,\u201d said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. \u201cThese changes create new opportunities for workers and businesses, strengthen our province\u2019s competitiveness\u00a0and use a Canada-first approach to take on global economic uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n
These changes are part of the suite of\u00a0regulatory changes\u00a0<\/a>across government that are coming into effect January 1, 2026.<\/p>\n Ontario is also strengthening access to health care talent by expanding labour mobility for regulated health professionals. As part of this approach, the government is extending \u201cAs of Right\u201d rules to 16 additional regulated health professions, further strengthening Ontario\u2019s health-care workforce while maintaining regulatory oversight. These expanded reforms also include taking the next step toward automatic recognition of physicians and nurses who are registered and in good standing in other provinces and territories, making it faster and easier for them to continue their practice in Ontario.<\/p>\n \u201cOur government is cutting red tape so physicians, nurses, and other regulated health professionals from across Canada can start working in Ontario sooner,\u201d said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. \u201cBy strengthening labour mobility, we\u2019re 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Ontario\u2019s leadership on labour mobility is part of a broader plan to unlock free trade within Canada. Since April 2025, Ontario has signed economic cooperation memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with 10 provinces and territories to strengthen interprovincial trade, enhance economic resilience and reduce costly regulatory barriers.<\/p>\n Building on Ontario\u2019s national leadership in supporting free trade and labour mobility across Canada, the government recently took the next steps to unlock free trade within Canada by publishing a draft regulation under the\u00a0Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act, 2025\u00a0(OFTMA). The\u00a0mutual recognition of goods and services<\/a>\u00a0from other reciprocating Canadian jurisdictions will reduce red tape and accelerate market access by eliminating the need for businesses to meet multiple sets of regulatory requirements. Mutual recognition of goods and services will play a substantial role in supporting economic integration across Canada and removing internal trade barriers that cost the economy up to $200 billion every year.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 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,\u201d said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. \u201cBy advancing the mutual recognition of goods and services and making it easier for workers to expand their trades into other provinces and territories, we are laying the foundation for a secure, competitive and prosperous future.\u201d<\/p>\n As Canada\u2019s largest interprovincial trader, Ontario\u2019s initiatives are creating pan-Canadian momentum to tear down barriers and unlock access to new internal markets and customers in the face of global market instability and volatility.\u00a0By reducing barriers and streamlining labour mobility, Ontario is enabling workers and businesses to seize opportunities across provinces and drive economic growth.<\/p>\n Quick Facts<\/p>\n The\u00a0Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025<\/a>\u00a0gives Ontario businesses and workers a stronger competitive edge by encouraging the broad deployment of mutual recognition across the country, which will lower regulatory compliance costs while unlocking new economic opportunities.<\/p>\n Ontario\u2019s leadership on internal trade has been recognized by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), which awarded the province an overall grade of A in their 2025 Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card.<\/p>\n Approximately 3,000 labour mobility applications were processed in 2023 across 14 regulated professions and 23 compulsory trades governed under Ontario\u2019s\u00a0Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act, 2006<\/a>.<\/p>\n