No Canadian experience requirements in Ontario job postings
Since January 1, 2026, an Ontario job posting, and any application form that goes with it, can't include a requirement related to Canadian experience. Ask for the skill and the years of experience, not where they were gained.
Updated October 23, 2026. A summary, not legal advice.En français
In short
- Don't ask for Canadian work experience, in the posting or its application form.
- The same goes for a Canadian degree or diploma, and for an established network or client base in Canada.
- Professional licensing and registration requirements are still allowed.
- Ask for the skill and the years of experience instead.
What the law says
- A public job posting, and any application form that goes with it, can't include any requirement related to Canadian experience. (ESA, s. 8.3 (1))
- The Ministry's guide says this covers Canadian work experience, education credentials, and a requirement to have an established professional network or client base. (Ministry's guide)
- It doesn't apply to professional licensing or registration requirements. (Ministry's guide)
- Exceptions can be set by regulation; none have been. (ESA, s. 8.3 (2))
- The guide also points to the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Ontario Human Rights Commission's policy on removing the "Canadian experience" barrier. (Ministry's guide; OHRC policy)
Wording you can copy
Experience
3+ years of experience in payroll administration.
Education
A degree in accounting or a related field, or equivalent education.
Licensing (allowed)
Registered, or eligible for registration, with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
Client network
Experience building and keeping client relationships.
Before and after
Requirements: • 3+ years of Canadian payroll experience • Degree from a Canadian university • An established network of clients in Canada
Requirements: • 3+ years of payroll experience • A degree in accounting or a related field • Experience building and keeping client relationships
Each line asked for experience, education or a network gained in Canada. The fix keeps the skill and the years and drops where they came from.
How CheckON checks it
CheckON reads each requirement in your posting, and in the application form if you add its questions, and flags anything tied to Canadian experience, quoting the line. The suggested fix keeps the skill and drops the place; you approve each change.
Who the rules apply to
Employers with 25 or more employees in Ontario on the day the job is posted, for public postings of a specific job done in Ontario, on your careers page, a job board or a recruiter's site. A posting open only to current employees, or a general "we're hiring" campaign that names no job, isn't covered. (O. Reg. 476/24, s. 1; O. Reg. 476/24, s. 2 (1))
Questions people ask
Can Ontario employers ask for Canadian experience?
Not in a public job posting or its application form, for employers with 25 or more employees in Ontario (ESA, s. 8.3 (1), in force since January 1, 2026). Ask for the skill or the years of experience instead.
Is "Canadian experience preferred" or "an asset" allowed?
The law bans any requirement "related to" Canadian experience, and hasn't been tested on "preferred". CheckON treats "preferred" and "an asset" as a requirement, the cautious reading, and suggests dropping the word "Canadian".
Can I still require a professional licence?
Yes. The Ministry's guide says the rule doesn't apply to professional licensing or registration requirements, such as registration with a regulatory college.
Does it cover application forms?
Yes. A question like "Do you have Canadian work experience?" on the application form breaks the same rule. CheckON can check the form's questions too, as one more check.
What about "Ontario experience" or "North American experience"?
The law names Canadian experience; Ontario and North American experience aren't settled. CheckON marks them as a warning so you can decide. The safe fix is to drop the place.
Can I ask whether someone can legally work in Canada?
Yes. That's about the right to work, not about experience.
The other rules
- Pay rangeShow the expected pay, or a range no wider than $50,000 a year.
- AI disclosureSay so if AI screens, assesses or selects applicants.
- Existing vacancySay whether the job is an existing vacancy, or not.
- 45-day replyTell each interviewed applicant within 45 days whether a decision was made.
- 3-year recordsKeep each posting, its form and your interview updates for 3 years.
Sources: the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA), Part III.1 and s. 15, O. Reg. 476/24 and the Government of Ontario's guide to the job posting requirements. This page summarises them and isn't legal advice; for your situation, talk to an employment lawyer.