U.S. doctors are starting to migrate to Ontario early on
The Ford government in Ontario has seen early signs of progress in its efforts to attract healthcare professionals from the United States. According to recent data, 1,374 U.S.-based nurses have registered in Ontario since 2025, with 243 of them, or 18%, having done so since the rule change in the spring.
This influx of U.S.-educated nurses is filling urgent healthcare shortages, benefiting from revised immigration and credential recognition pathways in Ontario's Provincial Nominee Program and healthcare sectors. However, the College of Nurses of Ontario has not reported a notable increase in new registrants who were U.S.-based moving to Ontario.
The story is different for physicians. Early data from the Ministry of Health shows an increase in the number of physicians from the United States registering in Ontario. So far this year, Ontario has seen 261 U.S.-based physicians move their registration to the province, with 101 being added after June 5 when the government made registration changes. This represents a 39% increase in the percentage of physicians who have moved from the U.S. to Ontario this year since the rules were changed.
The advertising led by Premier Ford and the government is also piquing the interest of individuals who, for whatever reason, chose to practice in the United States but were originally Canadian or Ontario-born and trained. The government set aside roughly $52 million to run television commercials, billboards, and newspaper advertisements positioning Ontario as a "secure economic partner in an insecure world."
Health Minister Sylvia Jones stated that there has been an increase in calls from health professionals inquiring about the licensing process in Ontario. Although the diplomatic goals of the advertising campaign appear to have fallen short, the health minister suggested there could be residual benefits to the government's American overtures.
However, it's unclear if the same trend is true for nurses. While more doctors may be flocking to Ontario, early data suggests no significant increase in the number of U.S.-based nurses arriving at the same rate as physicians.
This shift in healthcare workforce dynamics is a response to the ongoing staffing shortages in Ontario's healthcare system. The Ford government introduced changes to the registration rules for physicians and nurses, allowing them to work for up to six months while their qualifications transfer.
While the full impact of these changes remains to be seen, it's clear that Ontario is making strides in attracting healthcare professionals from the United States. The question now is whether this trend will continue and if it will help alleviate the province's healthcare staffing challenges.
