Maple News reports that Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, has introduced a major legislative proposal aimed at making the province a more attractive destination for workers—particularly skilled immigrants.
Titled the “Working for Workers Act,” the legislation was tabled on October 25 and, if passed, would usher in significant reforms to how credential recognition and employment standards are handled in Ontario. Key among the proposed changes is the elimination of the long-standing requirement for Canadian work experience in licensing decisions for non-health-related regulated professions. This move is designed to make it easier for internationally trained professionals to begin working in their field of expertise.
In addition to removing Canadian work experience requirements, the act proposes scrapping mandatory language testing for licensing purposes—unless deemed necessary—and accelerating the licensing process, especially during urgent labor shortages. McNaughton emphasized the need to better integrate newcomers into the workforce, citing persistent labour shortages in the skilled trades and a growing demand for talent due to an aging workforce.
“If we’re serious about building Ontario, then we need to get skilled newcomers licensed and working in their professions as quickly as possible,” McNaughton told Maple News. He referenced studies suggesting that narrowing the skills gap between immigrants and Canadian-born workers could add between $12 to $20 billion to Ontario’s economy.
While the current proposal does not apply to health-care professions, McNaughton noted that the government intends to expand similar reforms to those fields in the future.
The legislation also introduces several initiatives aimed at improving worker protections. Notably, Ontario would become the first Canadian province to officially ban non-compete clauses in employment contracts, removing barriers that prevent employees from joining competing firms after leaving their job. Additionally, companies with 25 or more employees would be required to adopt a “right to disconnect” policy, formally recognizing employees’ right to step away from work communications outside business hours.
If enacted, these changes could position Ontario as a national leader in labour market innovation—both in terms of welcoming immigrant professionals and ensuring fair, modern working conditions across industries.
Maple News continues to monitor the legislative process and will provide updates as the Working for Workers Act moves forward in provincial parliament.