Ontario Eases Trade, Speeds Worker Licensing

Summary#

• This law aims to make it easier to trade, work, and sell across provincial borders within Canada. It also creates a day to promote buying Ontario and Canadian goods.
• It sets up “mutual recognition” rules so Ontario can accept goods and professional licences from other provinces that sign on.
• It creates a path for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales across provinces, if the government makes agreements and directs the LCBO to set it up.
• It speeds up and simplifies how Ontario certifies workers who are already licensed in another province, and creates a one-time, six‑month temporary certification option in some occupations.
• It protects the government and regulators from most lawsuits tied to these changes.

Key changes:

• Last Friday of June becomes “Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day.”
• Some decision timelines switch to calendar days to speed up labour mobility applications.
• If Ontario declares another province a “reciprocating” partner, goods approved there must be accepted here without extra testing or fees, and licensed service providers are entitled to an equivalent Ontario licence.
• The LCBO must implement cross‑border alcohol shipping to consumers if the Minister tells it to, and the Minister can make agreements with other governments to enable this.
• Ontario regulators must acknowledge applications quickly, decide faster, publish their requirements, and report on labour mobility. Fines apply for knowingly false claims when using the temporary certification path.

What it means for you#

• Consumers

  • You may be able to order wine, beer, or spirits from other provinces for home delivery if Ontario signs agreements and the Minister directs the LCBO to set up the system.
  • More brands and products from across Canada could be available in Ontario without extra delays.
  • A new day each June encourages buying Ontario and Canadian goods.

• Workers and job seekers

  • If you are already licensed in the same occupation in another province, Ontario must make a decision faster (acknowledge within about two weeks; decide within about a month).
  • Ontario regulators cannot make you complete major extra training, tests, or experience to get certified here (with limited exceptions set by future rules).
  • In some named occupations (to be set by regulation), you can get a one‑time, six‑month “deemed certification” in Ontario after you submit proof of your out‑of‑province licence and required info. During that time, you must follow all Ontario practice rules.
  • Making false claims to get temporary certification can bring fines up to $25,000 for a first offence and $50,000 after that.

• Employers and businesses

  • Hiring out‑of‑province licensed workers should be quicker and simpler.
  • If Ontario and another province are “reciprocating,” goods that meet that province’s standards must be accepted in Ontario without extra tests, fees, or approvals. Goods still must follow other Ontario laws (for example, safety, labeling, or sales rules).
  • Potential new direct sales channels for alcohol makers, depending on government agreements and directions to the LCBO.

• Professional regulators and colleges

  • Must publish all added requirements for out‑of‑province applicants, acknowledge applications within 10 business days, decide within 30 calendar days, give reasons, and report on labour mobility.
  • Broad regulation‑making powers allow the government to set conditions, exemptions, and timelines, and to name occupations eligible for temporary certification.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents’ View#

• Cuts red tape so people and products can move more easily across Canada, which can lower costs and speed up access to goods and services.
• Helps fill labour shortages by letting qualified workers start sooner in Ontario.
• Gives consumers more choice and convenience, including potential home delivery of alcohol from other provinces.
• Supports local pride and awareness through a day that promotes buying Ontario and Canadian products.
• Keeps protections in place because goods and licensed workers must still follow Ontario laws once here.
• Increases transparency and predictability with clear timelines and published rules for applicants.

Opponents’ View#

• Accepting other provinces’ standards could weaken Ontario’s own standards for some goods or services, which may raise safety or quality concerns.
• Professional regulators may have less flexibility to require extra training or tests they believe are needed for public safety.
• The government gets very broad powers to set rules (including the ability for regulations to override laws and apply retroactively), and there are lawsuit shields, which critics say reduce accountability.
• Direct-to-consumer alcohol shipping could shift sales away from existing retailers and the LCBO’s current model, affecting revenue and local stores.
• Many benefits depend on other provinces agreeing to “reciprocate,” so results may be uneven or delayed.
• Heavy reliance on future regulations creates uncertainty about how, when, and where these changes will apply.