First-in-Canada labour mobility and mutual recognition regulations will break down interprovincial barriers for workers and strengthen Ontario’s economy
As part of the government’s 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 and help employers access the skilled Canadian workers they need sooner. These historic changes are part of the government’s plan to support Ontario and Canadian workers and build a unified Canadian workforce that can stand up to U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty.
Starting January 1, 2026, new “As of Right” labour mobility regulations will allow in-demand certified professionals such as architects, engineers, geoscientists, land surveyors and electricians to begin working in Ontario within 10 business days, once credentials and requirements are confirmed by the applicable Ontario regulator. The historic implementation of this “As of Right” rule will apply across professions covered by more than 50 regulatory authorities and 300 certifications, helping employers fill critical roles faster, support workers moving between provinces and strengthen Ontario’s economic competitiveness.
“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, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “These changes create new opportunities for workers and businesses, strengthen our province’s competitiveness and use a Canada-first approach to take on global economic uncertainty.”
These changes are part of the suite of regulatory changes across government that are coming into effect January 1, 2026.
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 “As of Right” rules to 16 additional regulated health professions, further strengthening Ontario’s 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.
“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, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “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.”
Ontario’s 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.
Building on Ontario’s 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 Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act, 2025 (OFTMA). The mutual recognition of goods and services from 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.
“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, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. “By 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.”
As Canada’s largest interprovincial trader, Ontario’s 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. By reducing barriers and streamlining labour mobility, Ontario is enabling workers and businesses to seize opportunities across provinces and drive economic growth.
Quick Facts
- The Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025 gives 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.
- Ontario’s 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.
- Approximately 3,000 labour mobility applications were processed in 2023 across 14 regulated professions and 23 compulsory trades governed under Ontario’s Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades Act, 2006.
- Approximately 20 per cent of occupations are regulated in Canada. These “As of Right” rules are applicable to more than 50 Ontario regulatory authorities under the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009.
- Since 2018, Ontario has supported a record-breaking number of new health-care professionals, including adding over 100,000 new nurses and nearly 20,000 additional physicians to its health-care workforce, including an over 14 per cent increase in family doctors.
- The government is working with other provinces and territories to harmonize occupational health and safety training standards to help streamline pathways to work interprovincially.
- Trade barriers within Canada cost the national economy up to $200 billion per year and raise prices for families and businesses by up to 14.5 per cent. In Ontario, the removal of trade barriers could see GDP growth of up to $23 billion annually.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
