Proposed “As of Right” Rules Expected to Reduce Interprovincial Barriers to Labour Mobility

(TORONTO– January 20, 2023) – Today, Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC), released the following statement in response to the Ontario government’s announcement to address labour shortages within the health care system:

“Interprovincial barriers to labour mobility have been a long-standing issue, limiting the ability of skilled workers and professionals with relevant experience in one province or territory to work in another. Ontario’s health care sector currently has one of the highest job vacancy rates, at 6.4 percent. Immediate action to tackle workforce challenges is imperative to bolster health system capacity as labour shortages throughout the system continue to impact community and economic well-being.  

“We welcome the government’s introduction of the ‘As of Right’ rules, allowing health workers from across Canada to provide care in Ontario without added administrative barriers. This is an important step in addressing the health human resources crisis. We continue to encourage the government to develop a comprehensive strategy that leverages technology and health innovations to lessen the burden on healthcare professionals, collects relevant data to improve health services and supports the next generation of healthcare professionals.

“We look forward to more details on the proposed legislation and implementation strategy, including a focus on accountability.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) is the indispensable partner of business and Canada’s largest, most influential provincial chamber. It is an independent, non-profit advocacy and member services organization representing a diverse network of 60,000 members. The OCC’s mission is to convene, align and advance the interests of its members through principled policy work, value-added business services and broad engagement to drive competitiveness and economic growth in the province. 

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Carmona
Manager, Public Affairs,
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
andreacarmona@occ.ca | Mobile: (647) 234-0255