Newcomers looking for work in Ontario may find it easier to land interviews and secure jobs that match their skills and experience.
Starting January 1, 2026, several new requirements for publicly advertised job postings will take effect under changes to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act (ESA).
Among the most significant is a ban on requiring Canadian work experience in job postings, or associated application forms — an issue that has long been flagged as a barrier to skilled newcomers seeking employment in the province.
Currently, employers may list “Canadian work experience” as a mandatory qualification, even when international experience is equivalent. Critics have argued that this practice disadvantages newcomers who possess strong credentials but lack local experience, preventing them from competing fairly in the labour market.
The new rules will apply to employers with 25 or more employees on the day a job is posted.
In addition to removing Canadian experience requirements, several other measures are set to benefit job seekers in Ontario starting in 2026.
Employers will be required to disclose the expected compensation or salary range in any publicly advertised job posting.
Under this new rule, public job postings must list the expected pay or a pay range. If they use a range, the difference between the minimum and maximum can be no more than $50,000 per year."
This rule does not apply if the job pays more than $200,000 per...
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