Toronto, January 19: Premier Doug Ford is set to introduce legislative changes that would let Canadian healthcare workers registered or licensed in other provinces start practicing in Ontario immediately.
Currently, healthcare professionals must be registered with one of Ontario’s health regulatory colleges before working in the province. However, in an effort to “overcome bureaucratic delays,” Ontario is prepared to loosen those rules.
The Ford government said it will introduce these legislative changes in February.
We need to be bold, innovative and creative as we deliver better health care for Ontarians.
That’s why our government will introduce new legislation that, if passed, will allow Canadian #HealthCare workers from across Canada to immediately start providing care here in Ontario. pic.twitter.com/LPDItFGe3l
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) January 19, 2023
This announcement comes just days after Ford announced the province’s plan to invest in private clinics to perform more procedures. Critics have raised concerns about how health-care staff could be inclined to leave the public sector for better pay and hours, resulting in more severe staffing shortages.
“With our new “As of Right” rules, Ontario is the first province in Canada to allow health-care workers from across the country to immediately start providing care,” Ford said.
The premier said the province is not offering financial incentives for health-care staff considering coming to Ontario.
Building on their effort to increase staffing levels, the government said it is also prepared to allow health-care professionals, including nurses, paramedics, respiratory therapists, and others, to work outside of their regular responsibilities or settings. “As long as they have the knowledge skill, and judgment to do so,” the release reads.
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