Employers in Ontario will likely soon be banned from listing Canadian work experience as a requirement in job postings.
The provincial government has announced that it will be introducing legislation that, if passed, will prohibit Canadian work experience requirements from being used in employment listings and application forms.
The province said the change will help more qualified candidates progress in the interview process and stem discriminatory hiring practices.
The move follows similar legislation that was announced in 2021, which removes barriers for internationally-trained immigrants when attempting to get licenced in certain regulated professions.
“For far too long, too many people arriving in Canada have been funnelled toward dead-end jobs they’re overqualified for. We need to ensure these people can land well-paying and rewarding careers that help tackle the labour shortage,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, in a news release. “When newcomers to Ontario get a meaningful chance to contribute, everyone wins.”
According to the Ontario government, research shows that helping internationally-trained newcomers work in the professions they studied for could increase the province’s GDP by up to $100 billion over five years.
The new legislation will expand on the province’s Working for Workers Acts and it is expected to be introduced in the coming days.
