Ontario resists pressure to reverse new residency rule for international medical graduates

Ontario is standing firm in its decision to change eligibility requirements for international medical graduates to apply for first-round residencies despite mounting pressure to reverse course from advocacy groups, health system leaders and applicants.

The province announced last week a new rule for international medical graduates, or IMGs – doctors who trained outside of Canada and have permanent residency or Canadian citizenship. They must now have completed at least two years at an accredited Ontario high school to qualify for provincial residency positions in the first match.