Premier Doug Ford announced the government’s plan to boost and protect Ontario’s economy through the introduction of legislation aimed at reducing internal trade and labour barriers across Canada. The Protect Ontario through Free Trade Within Canada Act, 2025, if passed, would remove existing barriers to internal trade, reduce costs for Ontarians, and encourage buy local initiatives.  

Speech-language pathologists and audiologists are among the list of regulated health professionals that could potentially begin practicing in Ontario while they wait for registration in an Ontario health regulatory college through the removal of restrictions on where they may work using “As of Right” rules.  

Key highlights on labour mobility include:  

• Simplified movement across provincial lines, enabling certified workers to start jobs right away while completing a streamlined registration process 
• Ontario recognizing workers licensed in other provinces and territories as qualified to work in Ontario if those regions mutually reciprocate  
• More regulated health professionals in good standing are being allowed to start practising sooner and before their full Ontario registration is complete. This includes exploring the inclusion of U.S. professionals under the new rules.
• MOUs with Nova Scotia & New Brunswick to promote reciprocal labour mobility and reduce licensing or red tape
• Encouragement to other provinces and the federal government to adopt similar labour mobility measures to ensure fairness and opportunity for Canadian workers across the country 

Speech-Language & Audiology Canada is pleased to see that labour mobility is a major priority for the Ontario government. These changes would play a crucial role in addressing current human health resource challenges and improving access to essential speech, language, and hearing services. We welcome this important dialogue and look forward to contributing to solutions that support workforce flexibility on behalf of our members

Read the full technical briefing.