Regulation - LGIC
Increasing Access to Medical Education for Ontarians
Regulation Number(s):
TBD
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) Act
Summary of Proposal:
On November 6, 2024, amendments to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) Act (i.e., "the amendments") were enacted requiring a minimum of 95% of annual medical school admissions to be reserved for Ontario students and the remaining 5% for Canadians, effective July 1, 2025.
Through this proposal, as authorized by 16.0.1 of the MTCU Act, the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) is seeking to make regulations defining "ordinarily resident in Ontario" and "medical health education program".
A summary of the proposed regulations is outlined below.
The LGIC is proposing that an individual will meet the definition of 'ordinarily resident in Ontario' for the purposes of the amendments if, before their study period begins, they, or their spouse:
1. Are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), a protected person within the meaning of subsection 95 (2) of that Act, and:
2. Have lived in Ontario for at least 12 consecutive months, after the age of 14, and:
a. received an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or
b. has not subsequently lived for 12 or more consecutive months in any other Canadian Province or Territory.
3. Time spent in full-time post-secondary studies counts toward clause 2 only if:
a. It was in a full-time in-person degree program in Ontario; AND
b. The degree program is ordinarily at least 4 academic years in duration.
4. Any applicants who meet the requirement in paragraph 1 and admitted through special admissions streams for Indigenous Peoples and Francophonie will be counted as Ontario Residents for the purpose of medical school admissions.
The LGIC is also proposing that a program will meet the definition of medical health education program to be outlined in the MTCU Act if:
1. The medical program is an undergraduate program leading to an MD or equivalent basic degree in medicine, and is supported by funding from the Government of Ontario.
2. This does not include combined MD/PhD seats or seats funded by third-party partnerships.
The regulatory amendments would come into effect on July 1, 2025.
Through this proposal, as authorized by 16.0.1 of the MTCU Act, the Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) is seeking to make regulations defining "ordinarily resident in Ontario" and "medical health education program".
A summary of the proposed regulations is outlined below.
The LGIC is proposing that an individual will meet the definition of 'ordinarily resident in Ontario' for the purposes of the amendments if, before their study period begins, they, or their spouse:
1. Are a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident within the meaning of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Canada), a protected person within the meaning of subsection 95 (2) of that Act, and:
2. Have lived in Ontario for at least 12 consecutive months, after the age of 14, and:
a. received an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or
b. has not subsequently lived for 12 or more consecutive months in any other Canadian Province or Territory.
3. Time spent in full-time post-secondary studies counts toward clause 2 only if:
a. It was in a full-time in-person degree program in Ontario; AND
b. The degree program is ordinarily at least 4 academic years in duration.
4. Any applicants who meet the requirement in paragraph 1 and admitted through special admissions streams for Indigenous Peoples and Francophonie will be counted as Ontario Residents for the purpose of medical school admissions.
The LGIC is also proposing that a program will meet the definition of medical health education program to be outlined in the MTCU Act if:
1. The medical program is an undergraduate program leading to an MD or equivalent basic degree in medicine, and is supported by funding from the Government of Ontario.
2. This does not include combined MD/PhD seats or seats funded by third-party partnerships.
The regulatory amendments would come into effect on July 1, 2025.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
By prioritizing applicants who have lived in Ontario for a significant period, the regulations aim to ensure that more Ontario students are admitted to medical schools. This could help address the province's physician shortage by encouraging graduates to learn and stay and practice in Ontario.
The proposed regulations aim to strengthen the Ontario's healthcare workforce and ensure that medical school admissions prioritize those who are more likely to remain and serve in Ontario. These changes will help alleviate pressures facing the health care system, attract and retain more local doctors in Ontario, and lead to better health outcomes for communities across the province.
The proposed regulations aim to strengthen the Ontario's healthcare workforce and ensure that medical school admissions prioritize those who are more likely to remain and serve in Ontario. These changes will help alleviate pressures facing the health care system, attract and retain more local doctors in Ontario, and lead to better health outcomes for communities across the province.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
25-MCU001
Posting Date:
May 2, 2025
Comments Due Date:
June 1, 2025
Contact Address:
315 Front Street, 16th Floor
Toronto ON M5V 3A4
Toronto ON M5V 3A4