Toronto, Ontario — In a groundbreaking move, the Ontario government is set to introduce legislation that could position the province as a trailblazer in Canada. If passed, this legislation will prohibit the use of Canadian work experience as a requirement in job postings or application forms, marking a historic step towards inclusive. (Latest job Update Ontario)
The proposed change aims to open avenues for internationally-trained immigrants to pursue careers aligned with their expertise. By eliminating the Canadian work experience barrier, the legislation seeks to ensure that qualified candidates have a fair chance in the interview process. This move follows the prohibition of discriminatory Canadian work experience requirements for over 30 occupations, effective December 2023.
David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, emphasized the need to redirect newcomers towards fulfilling careers, addressing the issue of overqualification in dead-end jobs. He stated, “When newcomers to Ontario get a meaningful chance to contribute, everyone wins.”
Ontario plans to nominate 16,500 immigrants for permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) this year, focusing on critical sectors like healthcare and skilled trades. The proposed changes include revising eligibility criteria for one-year college graduate certificate programs, aiming to attract the best international students to contribute to the province.
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Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, highlighted Ontario’s leadership role in breaking down barriers for internationally-trained immigrants. Banning Canadian work experience requirements is seen as a strategic move to facilitate meaningful work for newcomers, contributing to building a more vibrant and diverse Ontario.
The legislative changes also address oversight and accountability in assessing international qualifications for regulated professions. Ontario, welcoming more immigrants than any other province, acknowledges the potential economic impact. Research suggests that enabling internationally-trained newcomers to work in their studied professions could boost the province’s GDP by up to $100 billion over five years.
The proposed legislation is part of a comprehensive package building upon previous actions introduced in the Working for Workers Acts, 2021-2023. The upcoming legislative package aims to protect workers, enhance earning opportunities, and further support newcomers in contributing to Ontario’s growth.
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Quick Facts:
- Over 162,000 immigrants arrived in Ontario from January to September 2023.
- Ontario is investing $100 million in 2023-24 to support newcomers in language learning, settlement, training, and job finding.
- Ontario was the first province to ban discriminatory Canadian work experience requirements in regulated professions in 2006.
- OINP’s allocation from the federal government is set to more than double, reaching over 18,000 by 2025.
Quotes:
- Sara Asalya, Executive Director, Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto: “Introducing legislation to ban Canadian experience requirements is a big leap forward.”
- Allison Steinberg, CEO, JVS Toronto: “Eliminating this barrier enables more newcomers to contribute their talents to our diverse province.”
- Tonie Chaltas, CEO, Achēv: “Removing discriminatory requirements is a necessary step towards creating a more inclusive labour force.”
- Phil Mendoza, President of Compass Careers Canada: “This legislation clears the backlog of skillful workers and benefits major job sectors.”
- Elise Herzig, Executive Director, JIAS Toronto: “A big step forward in creating an inclusive environment for newcomers.”
- Allan Reesor-McDowell, Executive Director, Matthew House Ottawa: “This legislation will help immigrants find meaningful work aligned with their skills and experience.”
- Teresa M. Torralba, Executive Director, PLACA: “The passing of this historic legislation will herald Ontario as the favored province for newcomers based on inclusivity and respect for human rights.”
