ITPC
Fortissimi Una|Stronger Together
#changereversed!
ITPC Statement: ITPC Welcomes Rescinding of Ontario MOH’s Discriminatory Eligibility Policy in CaRMS 2025–2026 R-1 Match
Internationally Trained Physicians of Canada (ITPC) welcomes the Government of Ontario’s decision to rescind the eligibility policy introduced on October 8, 2025, which impacted the 2025–2026 CaRMS R-1 residency match cycle across all Ontario programs.
This policy, introduced mid-cycle, excluded Internationally Trained Physicians (ITPs) who had not completed at least two years of Ontario high school. From the outset, it raised serious concerns regarding fairness, equity, and most importantly, access to care for Ontarians.
The decision to rescind this policy marks a significant and necessary step toward restoring fairness in the residency matching process. We are encouraged that the voices of affected physicians, advocacy groups, and legal partners were heard, and that the rights of qualified, hardworking, and deserving ITPs have been upheld.
However, it remains deeply concerning that such a discriminatory policy was implemented in the first place, particularly during an active match cycle, and required legal action and sustained advocacy to reverse.
ITPs are a vital part of Ontario’s healthcare workforce. They contribute meaningfully across hospitals, walk-in clinics, long-term care, and underserved communities. At a time of ongoing physician shortages, exclusionary policies not only harm physicians but also compromise access to care for patients.
While this outcome represents an important win, it does not resolve the deeper systemic challenges faced by ITPs. These include residency selection criteria that fail to capture the strengths of internationally trained physicians, fragmented and inefficient licensure pathways, and persistent structural biases.
We remain cautiously optimistic. This development demonstrates that change is possible, but also underscores the need for continued vigilance to ensure that future policies are fair, transparent, and evidence-based.
ITPC extends its sincere gratitude to the health system stakeholders, health professional associations and organizations, MPPs, and individuals who played an important role in advocating for fairness and equity in this matter.
The work continues.
#changereversed! Learn More: www.itpsofcanada.ca/carmschanges
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Contacting us from the media?
Email advocacy@itpsofcanada.ca
#changereversed!
Contacting us from the media?
Email advocacy@itpsofcanada.ca
ITPC Welcomes Court Intervention on Ontario MOH's Discriminatory Eligibility Policy re: CaRMS 2025-2026 R-1 Match First Iteration
On October 8, 2025, the Ontario Ministry of Health implemented a new eligibility policy affecting the 2025-26 CaRMS R-1 residency match cycle across all Ontario programs. Introduced mid-cycle, this policy excludes all Internationally Trained Physicians (ITPs) who did not complete at least two years of Ontario high school. This abrupt change immediately raised serious concerns about fairness, equity, and most importantly, access to care for Ontarians.​
Today’s court decision (Dec 4th, 2025) to halt this policy is a critical and necessary intervention. We are thankful that qualified, hard working and deserving ITPs have had their rights upheld. However, it is deeply concerning that such a discriminatory rule had to be challenged in court to protect the basic rights of physicians who already call Ontario home and serve its communities.​
ITPs are a vital part of Ontario’s healthcare workforce. They support hospitals, walk-in clinics, long-term care, and underserved communities across the province. At a time of historic physician shortages, exclusionary policies harm both doctors and patients.​
While today’s outcome offers temporary relief, it does not resolve the deeper systemic issues including residency selection criteria that do not capture ITP strengths, dysfunctional and fragmented licensure pathways, and persistent bias against immigrant internationally trained physicians. The need for fair, transparent, and evidence-based processes remains urgent. The work continues.
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UnCanadian. Unjust. Unacceptable
Contacting us from the media?
Email advocacy@itpsofcanada.ca
Ontario’s Discriminatory Decision to Exclude Immigrant Internationally Trained Physicians from CaRMS 1st Iteration: We’re Calling It Out!
#reversethechange! #openthespots!
After years of ITPC (formerly ITPO) calling for equity and the opening of all residency positions in all specialties to all ITPs, the Government of Ontario has done the exact opposite. Only six weeks before the CaRMS application deadline, the Government of Ontario has imposed a directive that bars immigrant internationally trained physicians (ITPs) from applying in the first iteration of the 2026 residency match.
Only Canadian Studied Abroad (CSAs) but ONLY those who attended high school in Ontario — will be eligible.
Immigrant ITPs, who live, work, and pay taxes in this province, will be forced to wait for the second iteration, when most positions are already filled.
This was not policy improvement.
This was an act of exclusion — deliberate, discriminatory, and devastatingly un-Canadian.
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