Toronto — The Ontario government says it will introduce legislation that would ban employers from requiring Canadian work experience in job postings and application forms, a move aimed at helping internationally trained immigrants access jobs in their fields and easing labour shortages in key sectors such as health care and skilled trades.
If passed, the legislation would make Ontario the first province in Canada to prohibit Canadian work experience requirements under employment standards law. The proposal builds on earlier reforms that already prevent regulated professions from demanding Canadian experience as a condition for licensing in more than 30 occupations, changes that come into force in December 2023.
“For far too long, too many people arriving in Canada have been funnelled toward dead-end jobs they’re overqualified for,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “We need to ensure these people can land well-paying and rewarding careers that help tackle the labour shortage. When newcomers to Ontario get a meaningful chance to contribute, everyone wins.”
The government says the change would allow qualified candidates to advance further in hiring processes without being screened out for lacking Canadian experience, a requirement critics have long described as discriminatory and a major barrier to employment for newcomers.
Ontario is also proposing changes to the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP), including revisions that would expand eligibility for international students graduating from hundreds of one-year Ontario college graduate certificate programs. The province has nominated 16,500 immigrants for permanent residence through the OINP this year, targeting sectors such as health care and skilled trades, and has called on the federal government to give Ontario greater influence in selecting economic immigrants.
Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, said the proposed ban reflects Ontario’s broader commitment to inclusion.
“By banning Canadian work experience requirements in job postings, Ontario, through Premier Ford and Minister Piccini’s leadership, is leading the country in breaking down barriers to make it easier for internationally-trained immigrants to find meaningful work and contribute to building Ontario,” Ford said. “This change will help support families as they start their journey in their new homes, create more vibrant communities and help ensure businesses have the talent they need.”
The legislative package also includes measures to strengthen oversight of third-party organizations that assess international credentials for regulated professions such as accounting, architecture and geoscience. The government says the goal is to ensure assessments are conducted in a fast, transparent and fair manner.
Ontario welcomes more immigrants than any other province, with more than 162,000 newcomers arriving between January and September 2023. The province is investing $100 million in 2023–24 to support settlement services, language training, job access and foreign credential recognition, including expanded funding for bridge training programs. Government research suggests that enabling internationally trained professionals to work in their fields could boost Ontario’s GDP by up to $100 billion over five years.
Community organizations and settlement agencies welcomed the proposed changes, calling them a long-overdue step toward a fairer labour market.
“Canadian experience continues to be one the most prominent barriers faced by many newcomers in their search for meaningful employment,” said Sara Asalya, executive director of Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto. “Introducing legislation to ban the Canadian experience requirements from job postings and ads is a big leap forward in the right direction to eliminate systemic barriers facing newcomers.”
JVS Toronto CEO Allison Steinberg said the organization applauds the move. “A lack of Canadian work experience should never hinder someone’s pursuit of meaningful employment in their new home,” she said.
Achēv CEO Tonie Chaltas described the proposal as necessary to address long-standing inequities. “Removing discriminatory Canadian work experience requirements is a necessary step towards creating a more inclusive labour force,” she said.
Phil Mendoza, president of Compass Careers Canada, called the legislation “unprecedented and historic,” adding that it would benefit major job sectors across the province if approved.
Settlement agencies echoed those views, noting the daily challenges faced by newcomers trying to re-establish their careers. “The removal of the requirement for Canadian work experience is a big step forward in ensuring newcomers have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our economy and reach their potential,” said Elise Herzig, executive director of JIAS Toronto.
Matthew House Ottawa executive director Allan Reesor-McDowell said the change could significantly improve employment outcomes. “Many newcomers are welcomed to Canada because of their education and experience, yet face significant challenges when trying to further their career path after they arrive,” he said.
Teresa M. Torralba, executive director of the Philippine Legacy and Cultural Alliance, said the legislation would reinforce Ontario’s reputation for inclusivity. “The passing of this historic legislation will herald the province of Ontario as the favoured province for newcomers and immigrants based on inclusivity, fairness and respect for human rights,” she said.
The government says details of the broader Working for Workers legislative package, which aims to strengthen worker protections and support newcomers’ participation in the labour market, will be announced in the coming days.
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