Ontario to remove barriers for out-of province skilled workers

The Ontario government plans to introduce legislation to make it easier for workers in over 30 in-demand professions move to the province, faster.

Unfilled jobs cost the province billions in lost productivity, and between July and September of 2021, there were 338,835 vacant jobs across Ontario, including many in the skilled trades. Data also suggests that the need to replace retiring workers is elevated in the skilled trades.

To address these gaps, the government plans to introduce legislation that ensures workers from other provinces can get their credentials processed within a service standard of 30 business days. This would make it easier for engineers, auto mechanics, plumbers and several other regulated professionals Ontario needs to move to the province, fill vacant in-demand jobs and drive economic growth.

Ontario’s Premier Doug Ford announced the proposed legislation during a news conference on Friday, February 25, 2022. “At a time when our government is building Ontario, it’s never been more important that we attract more workers to fill in-demand jobs,” said Premier Ford. “To do so, we’re cutting red tape to make it easier for skilled professionals from across Canada to get the papers they need to work in Ontario, faster. This move opens more doors for workers to call Ontario home while contributing to our plan to build more roads, bridges, highways, homes and public transit.”

In addition, the government is proposing to recognize three fuel-related professions under the province’s skilled trades legislation, meaning Ontario will take steps to officially recognize all 55 Red Seal Trades. The Red Seal Program is a partnership between the federal government and provinces and territories that sets a common standard for apprenticeship training and certification and makes it easier for workers to move between provinces and territories.

Other proposed measures include making it easier for those who have completed fall protection training in another province to start to work immediately after completing a refresher course from an accredited Ontario provider.

The province’s new agency, Skilled Trades Ontario, is also harmonizing training standards for a dozen trades to make it easier for apprentices from other provinces to continue their training in Ontario.
These actions are part of Ontario’s ambitious plan to attract the best workers from across Canada and around the world by making the province the best place to live, work and raise a family.

-CanadianImmigrant