Urgent: Ontario’s New Residency Rule Sparks Outrage Among Immigrant Doctors

UPDATE: A controversial new rule from the Ontario Ministry of Health has just been announced, sparking outrage among immigrant physicians. Effective immediately for the 2026 residency positions, the policy requires international medical graduates to have attended an accredited Ontario high school for at least two years to qualify for the first round of residency matching.

This drastic change, made on October 8, 2023, is set to exclude the vast majority of immigrant physicians from securing residency spots in Ontario, the province that offers the most medical residency opportunities in Canada. Many are calling this move “discriminatory and devastating.”

Hormoz Nassiri Kigloo, an Iranian immigrant and family physician, has faced a fierce competition for residency spots, having been passed over in four previous attempts. Now, with this new requirement, his chances have diminished even further. “We came as immigrants and didn’t go to high school here,” said Nassiri Kigloo, who graduated with a master’s degree in epidemiology from McGill University. “What’s the relevance between where you go to high school and your qualifications for residency? This is blatant discrimination.”

The residency application process is lengthy, involving submission of documents, interviews, and ranking preferences that culminate in results released nationally in March. With the new rule prioritizing long-time residents who studied abroad, many fear that available spots will be filled before immigrant physicians even get a chance to compete.

Critics, including Ishrat Saberin from the Internationally Trained Physicians of Canada, argue that choosing doctors based on their high school education rather than their qualifications undermines the healthcare system. “Doctors should be chosen based on their competencies and values, not their high school background,” she stated emphatically.

In response to the backlash, Health Minister Sylvia Jones’s office maintained that while the new criteria will limit first-round eligibility, those who do not meet the requirements will still have opportunities in the second round of matching. “By supporting Ontario-educated residents with international medical degrees, we are ensuring local postgraduate training opportunities,” Jones’ office asserted.

However, many experts believe that this policy change is misguided, especially considering that 2.5 million Ontarians currently lack a family doctor. Joan Atlin from World Education Services emphasized the missed opportunity to benefit from the skills of immigrant physicians, calling the rule a “misinterpretation of who is an Ontarian.”

The Internationally Trained Physicians of Canada has initiated a letter-writing campaign urging the provincial government to reverse the high school requirement. On social media, the Ontario Medical Association expressed concerns about the “unintended consequences” of this policy and called for a more balanced approach that supports both Ontario students and qualified international medical graduates.

Nassiri Kigloo, who has six years of experience as a family physician in Iran, feels betrayed by the system. “I feel like a second-class citizen,” he lamented. He is now considering relocating to Australia, where his brother works as an emergency specialist after moving there two years ago.

As the fallout from this decision continues, the implications for healthcare access in Ontario are serious. With many qualified immigrant physicians facing barriers to entry, the province risks losing valuable talent at a time when it is desperately needed.

Next Steps: Stakeholders are watching closely for any changes in government policy or further announcements regarding the residency matching process. As this situation develops, the voices of affected physicians are becoming more urgent, compelling the government to reconsider its stance.

Stay tuned for updates as we monitor the impact of this significant policy change on the future of healthcare in Ontario and its immigrant community.