Ontario is set to usher in sweeping labour mobility and internal free-trade reforms on Jan. 1, 2026, marking a significant shift in how workers and businesses move across provincial borders as the province seeks to strengthen its economy amid global uncertainty.
The new regulations, announced by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, introduce “As of Right” labour mobility rules that will allow certified professionals from other provinces and territories to begin working in Ontario within 10 business days, once their credentials are verified by the appropriate regulator. The measures are designed to reduce red tape, address labour shortages and help employers access skilled Canadian workers more quickly .
The reforms apply to a broad range of occupations, including architects, engineers, geoscientists, land surveyors and electricians. In total, the changes cover more than 50 regulatory authorities and roughly 300 certifications, representing one of the most comprehensive labour mobility initiatives undertaken by a Canadian province to date.
“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.”
The labour mobility regulations form part of a broader package of government measures coming into force at the start of 2026, aimed at improving Ontario’s economic resilience. A central focus is building a more unified Canadian workforce that can better withstand external pressures, including potential U.S. tariffs and broader market volatility.
Health care is a key area of emphasis in the reforms. Ontario is expanding “As of Right” rules to include 16 additional regulated health professions, a move intended to bolster the province’s health-care workforce while maintaining oversight by professional regulators. The government is also taking steps toward automatic recognition for physicians and nurses who are registered and in good standing in other provinces and territories, making it easier for them to continue practising 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.”
Beyond labour mobility, the province is pushing to reduce internal trade barriers through expanded mutual recognition of goods and services across Canada. Since April 2025, Ontario has signed economic cooperation memorandums of understanding with 10 provinces and territories to enhance interprovincial trade and reduce regulatory duplication.
Those efforts are now being advanced through a draft regulation under the Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act, 2025. The proposed rules would allow goods and services approved in other reciprocating jurisdictions to be sold or provided in Ontario without the need to meet multiple sets of provincial regulatory requirements. The government says mutual recognition will accelerate market access and support deeper economic integration across the country.
“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.”
Internal trade barriers are estimated to cost the Canadian economy as much as $200 billion annually, raising prices for consumers and businesses alike. Ontario, Canada’s largest interprovincial trader, argues that reducing those barriers could unlock billions of dollars in new economic activity and strengthen supply chains at a time of global instability.
The province’s approach has drawn positive attention from the business community. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business awarded Ontario an overall grade of A in its 2025 Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card, citing progress on reducing internal trade friction.
As the new regulations take effect, the government says it will continue working with other provinces and territories to harmonize standards, including occupational health and safety training, to further streamline interprovincial mobility. For Ontario, officials argue, faster worker movement and freer internal trade are central to maintaining competitiveness and supporting long-term economic growth in an increasingly uncertain global environment.
