Maple News reports that starting January 1, 2026, Ontario will introduce significant reforms to its Employment Standards Act (ESA) aimed at leveling the playing field for newcomers seeking employment in the province.
One of the most impactful changes includes a ban on requiring “Canadian work experience” in publicly advertised job postings and application forms. This long-criticized requirement has often prevented skilled immigrants from securing roles that align with their overseas qualifications and professional histories.
Currently, many employers list Canadian work experience as a mandatory qualification—even in cases where a candidate’s international experience is equivalent or superior. These practices have been viewed as systemic barriers, making it much harder for newcomers to participate fully in Ontario’s labour market.
Under the updated ESA regulations, employers with 25 or more employees will no longer be permitted to stipulate Canadian experience as a prerequisite in job listings. This move is expected to increase transparency and equity in recruitment practices across the province.
In addition to this breakthrough, the provincial government is mandating more transparent compensation practices. All public job postings must now include either the expected pay or a salary range. If a salary range is provided, the difference between the minimum and maximum cannot exceed $50,000 annually. This rule does not apply to jobs offering more than $200,000 per year.
These changes are part of Ontario’s broader effort to dismantle systemic barriers in the labour market and support economic integration for immigrants. By enforcing salary transparency and eliminating biased pre-screening practices, the province aims to ensure that workers are assessed based on merit rather than geography.
Advocates for newcomer employment have welcomed the reforms as a long-overdue step toward inclusive hiring. They argue that access to fair employment opportunities is crucial not just for individual success, but also for maintaining a strong and competitive provincial economy.
As Ontario prepares to implement these measures, Maple News will continue to provide updates on how evolving labour policies are reshaping the job market for immigrants and all job seekers in Canada.