What’s changing — and why it matters for newcomers
Starting January 1, 2026, new amendments to Ontario Employment Standards Act (ESA) will introduce major changes to publicly advertised job postings across the province. CIC News
These changes are aimed at reducing long-standing barriers for newcomers looking to find meaningful employment in Ontario — giving job-seekers with international experience a fairer shot. CIC News+1
Key changes under the new law
- Employers will no longer be allowed to require “Canadian work experience” as a mandatory qualification in job postings or application forms. CIC News+1
- The changes apply to employers with 25 or more employees on the date the job is posted.
- Other new requirements may include increased transparency around job postings — such as clearer pay/salary information, and confirmation that a posting represents a real vacancy (not just a “ghost job listing”).
Impact: What this means for newcomers and employers
- Newcomers with international credentials and relevant experience, but lacking Canadian-specific work history, will be more fairly considered for jobs.
- Employers — especially medium to large firms — will need to adjust their hiring practices, ensuring job ads avoid exclusions based on Canadian experience.
- Overall, the changes are intended to make hiring practices more equitable, transparent, and inclusive, helping skilled migrants integrate more easily into the Ontario labour market.
Broader context
These reforms come as part of a broader effort across Ontario to modernize labour laws and improve fairness for workers — including newcomers and immigrants — under a wave of recent legislation.
For newcomers struggling to enter the job market because of outdated or biased hiring practices, the changes offer renewed hope for equal treatment.
