Province also accelerating nursing programs
Ontario is taking steps to increase its healthcare workforce.
The provincial government is allowing qualified United States-licensed physicians, nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and registered practical nurses to begin working in Ontario health settings without prior registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario or the College of Nurses of Ontario.
These professionals will be able to work for up to six months while seeking registration in Ontario, removing a significant barrier to attracting American healthcare workers.
"By cutting the red tape that is delaying highly trained U.S.-licensed doctors and nurses from being able to live and work in Ontario, we are making bold strides to ensure Ontario patients receive timely and accessible care," said Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and minister of health. "These changes build on our government’s historic action to reduce labour mobility barriers for healthcare professionals within Canada, and will now make it faster and easier for American physicians and nurses to care for Ontario patients."
To qualify, health professionals must be licensed in their home jurisdiction with no history of misconduct or incompetence, and must comply with other public protection requirements.
Physicians and nurses from the U.S. will still be required to go through the standard Canadian immigration, permanent residency, and work permit processes administered by the federal government.
Previously, provinces such as British Columbia and Manitoba launched programs specifically designed to recruit healthcare workers from the U.S.
Ontario is also removing restrictions under the “As of Right” provision that limited four professions to practising only in public hospitals and long-term care homes.
This change applies to physicians and nurses licensed in the U.S., as well as respiratory therapists and medical laboratory technologists, who will now be permitted to practise in a broader range of health settings, including primary care, home and community care, and community laboratories, according to the provincial government.
"The Ontario Medical Association supports the government’s efforts to reduce barriers to practice and enhance mobility for qualified health professionals, including those trained in the U.S.," said Dr. Zainab Abdurrahman, president of the Ontario Medical Association. "These changes help strengthen Ontario’s health workforce and improve timely access to care. Doctors remain committed to working with the Ministry to ensure that these changes deliver sustainable, high-quality care for Ontarians."
Ontario is also investing over $4.2 million to expand nursing education across the province.
"By investing in education and accelerating training for nurses, our government is protecting Ontario and building on our progress to grow our nursing workforce for years to come," said Jones. "These investments will help ensure families can connect to the care they need no matter where they live, while also supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals."
Under the funding, $2 million will support the launch of an accelerated registered nursing (RN) degree program at four post-secondary institutions, allowing students to complete their undergraduate programs in three to three-and-a-half years instead of four. Conestoga College (Kitchener), St. Lawrence College (Kingston), Western University (London), and York University (Toronto) will each receive up to $500,000 to support the development and implementation of the accelerated nursing program, beginning in the 2025–26 and 2026–27 academic years.
Additionally, Ontario is investing $750,000 to support the integration of RN prescribing education into the undergraduate nursing curriculum at Georgian College (Barrie), Humber Polytechnic (Toronto), and the University of Windsor. This initiative will enable nurses to play a greater role in patient care by prescribing medication. According to the provincial government, Ontario will be the first jurisdiction in Canada to include RN prescribing in undergraduate programs.
The province is also investing nearly $1.5 million to expand nursing program capacity at Confederation College in Thunder Bay and Cambrian College in Sudbury. This funding will help increase enrolment and create new clinical placement opportunities by adding 50 new registered practical nursing seats at Confederation College and 17 at Cambrian College.
"We welcome this important investment by the Ontario government to expand nursing education and integrate RN prescribing into undergraduate programs," said Dr. Ann Marie Vaughan, president and CEO of Humber Polytechnic. "This initiative will enhance clinical readiness and help build a more responsive, resilient healthcare workforce across the province. It represents a significant step forward in preparing future nurses to take on expanded roles in delivering high-quality care. I am confident this investment will have a lasting impact on our students, our communities, and the future of health care in Ontario."
The government is investing $56.8 million over the next three years to support an increase in nursing enrolment at publicly assisted colleges and universities. This will add more than 2,200 registered nurses, registered practical nurses, and nurse practitioners to Ontario’s healthcare system.
In March, the government of Canada announced it would be investing $14.3 million across four organizations through the Foreign Credential Recognition Program (FCRP) to relieve pressure on healthcare workers and address healthcare labor shortages.
