Ontario Continuing to Protect Workers and Unlock Free Trade Within Canada in 2026

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.

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