Rules to let certified professionals start working here in 10 days upon regulator's confirmation
The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) has welcomed the provincial government’s announcement that it was marking Labour Day by filing regulations to support breaking down interprovincial barriers and enabling Canadian workers in in-demand professions to come to Ontario.
Priya Bhatia, the law society’s acting chief executive officer, shared that the LSO has long backed interprovincial mobility for lawyers to improve their client services and professional development.
“This legislation has the potential to bring similar benefits to other professions and their clients,” Bhatia said in the Ontario government’s news release.
As of Jan. 1, 2026, under the “As of Right” rules, Canadians in professions encompassing over 50 regulatory authorities and 300 certifications can start working in Ontario within 10 days upon the regulator’s confirmation of their credentials and requirements.
“The implementation of 'As of Right' rules marks a key milestone in advancing the historic actions taken by our government to break down interprovincial trade barriers and enable workers to move and practice freely from coast to coast,” said Vic Fedeli – Ontario’s minister of economic development, job creation, and trade – in the news release.
The provincial government said these labour mobility changes are the first of their kind in Canada. Ontario noted that the certified workers it expects to benefit from the rules include architects, engineers, geoscientists, land surveyors, and electricians.
“This historic change to labour mobility will not only make it faster and easier for workers across Canada to come and begin working in our province, but it will also help us secure more of the valuable home-grown talent that our country needs to deliver on the nation-building projects that will make us the most competitive economy in the G7,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s minister of finance, in the news release.
The Ontario government said the changes introduced by the regulations seek to:
“Our government is leading Canada in our efforts to protect workers by helping them find better jobs and building a more resilient, competitive and united Canadian economy,” said David Piccini – Ontario’s minister of labour, immigration, training, and skills development – in the news release.
“By cutting red tape and eliminating costly delays for certified professionals, our government is unlocking new markets and opportunities for workers and businesses, strengthening our domestic and national economy, and ensuring Ontario remains a resilient and competitive jurisdiction for investment and growth,” Fedeli added.
In its news release, Ontario said it first introduced the milestone via the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act, 2025. Ontario noted that waiting times for workers currently range from months to half a year before they receive their registration and can start a job in the province.
According to Ontario’s news release, around 20 percent of occupations are regulated in the country. The provincial government also shared that it:
Ontario said it has executed 10 agreements with Canada’s provinces and territories so far. The provincial government noted that these interjurisdictional agreements, which include reciprocal measures, aim to:
