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