Ontario to make it easier for immigrants to work in their professions

Ontario is set to introduce new legislation that would make it easier for immigrants to get licensed to work in professions that align with their areas of expertise, according to The Canadian Press.

Labour Minister Monte McNaughton will be making an announcement Thursday morning about tackling Ontario’s labour shortage and supporting internationally-trained immigrants.

The Canadian Press is reporting the proposed legislation would, if passed, prevent many regulatory bodies from requiring immigrants to have Canadian work experience to get licensed.

The changes are an effort to remove barriers immigrants often face when trying to work in their professions. It would also standardize English-language testing requirements and ensure licensing applications are dealt with faster.

The legislation would affect licensing bodies including those that oversee engineers, architects, teachers, and social workers, among others. It would not apply to medical professions.

It would also help those who are internationally trained in dozens of trades, including electricians and plumbers.

We will be live streaming the news conference at the top of this page at 8:45 a.m.