As Ontario continues to modernize its labour mobility framework, employers and professionals should review upcoming changes to ensure compliance with new certification timelines and procedural obligations before January 2026.
On September 1, 2025, the Ontario government announced new measures designed to remove barriers that restrict Canadian workers from moving between provinces. Among these initiatives is O. Reg. 199/25: Deemed Certification, introduced under the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009.
These regulations, set to come into force on January 1, 2026, will allow qualified professionals certified in another Canadian province or territory to begin working in Ontario within 10 days of submitting their application, once their credentials have been confirmed by the relevant regulatory body.
A Step Toward a Unified Canadian Workforce
The Deemed Certification Regulations are the latest development in a series of legislative changes aimed at strengthening interprovincial labour mobility. Earlier in June 2025, Ontario passed Bill 2, Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025, introducing a historic “As-of-Right” system that streamlines certification for professionals already accredited in other provinces.
In its September announcement, the Ontario government confirmed it has signed 10 reciprocal agreements with other provinces and territories. These agreements simplify the process for Ontario-certified professionals seeking to work elsewhere in Canada, while ensuring reciprocal recognition for out-of-province workers entering Ontario.
The government emphasized that these measures form part of its broader strategy to “build a unified Canadian workforce that can stand up to U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainty.”
Key Amendments to the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009
The June 2025 amendments introduced several notable reforms:
- As-of-Right Certification Period – Out-of-province professionals may now be deemed certified in Ontario for six months, provided they meet prescribed criteria.
- Expedited Timelines – Ontario regulators must acknowledge applications within 10 business days and issue certification decisions within 30 calendar days of receiving a complete application.
- Limits on Additional Requirements – Regulatory bodies are prohibited from imposing significant new training, exams, or experience requirements unless justified under limited exceptions.
- Transparency Obligations – Regulators must publicly disclose certification criteria and any additional conditions imposed on out-of-province applicants.
What the New Deemed Certification Regulations Mean
The new regulations confirm that all regulated occupations under the Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009, including professions such as engineers, architects, teachers, accountants, and early childhood educators, will be eligible for deemed certification.
Under the new framework:
- Regulatory authorities may request attestations confirming that applicants are in good standing with their home-province regulator and have not been refused certification or found guilty of professional misconduct in the past two years.
- Regulators may require malpractice insurance, police or credit checks, or employer sponsorship as part of the certification process.
- Restrictions will apply to how application fees, processing charges, and examinations are used to ensure fairness and consistency across professions.
By clearly outlining both employer and regulator expectations, these measures aim to reduce administrative burden and improve mobility for skilled professionals, while maintaining strong professional and ethical safeguards.
What Employers and Professionals Should Know
For employers, this expansion of mobility may help address ongoing labour shortages, particularly in skilled and regulated fields, but it also underscores the need to ensure compliance when hiring interprovincial professionals. Employers should verify credential status early and confirm that certifications obtained through the new system are valid within the six-month deemed-certification period.
For workers, the Deemed Certification Regulations represent an opportunity to pursue career mobility within Canada with fewer delays. However, professionals must ensure that their documentation, standing, and insurance requirements are up to date to benefit fully from the expedited process.
Next Steps
As Ontario continues to modernize its labour mobility framework, employers and professionals should review upcoming changes to ensure compliance with new certification timelines and procedural obligations before January 1, 2026.
For guidance on how these developments may affect your organization’s hiring or certification processes, contact Minken Employment Lawyers (Est. 1990) at 905-477-7011 or contact@minken.com to connect with our team.
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Please note that this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or opinion.
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