Update regarding Ontario Residency Policy
On April 9, 2026, the Ontario Ministry of Health informed the Ontario Superior Court of Justice that the new Ontario CaRMS eligibility requirements would be rescinded. This policy required applicants to have completed two years of Ontario high school to be eligible for first-iteration participation, which would have excluded international medical graduates (IMGs) from the process.
In October, 2025, the late Dr. Dominique Vervoort and Black Physicians of Canada filed a lawsuit against the Ontario Ministry of Health, arguing that these changes violate the Charter rights of applicants and implementation of these changes mid-cycle undermines fairness and transparency in the matching process. Two new applicants, Dr. Nathalia Da Silveira and Dr. Ilana Polegatto, came forward to join the lawsuit. On December 4, 2025, Justice Markus Koehnen of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued an injunction preventing the Ontario Ministry of Health from implementing the new policy.
This result would not have been possible without the legal representation provided by Allan Rock and Warda Shazadi Meighen of Landings LLP, and the support from various organizations and individuals who advocated for IMGs in Canada.
Black Physicians of Canada advocated for the removal of this policy because it risked worsening Ontario’s physician shortage, and undermining fairness and transparency in the match process. IMGs disproportionately fill gaps in underserved and rural settings, and limiting their entry into first-iteration positions would cut off a vital recruitment pipeline. We will continue to advocate for our members and promote health equity practices that support better health outcomes for all communities across Canada. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at info@blackphysicians.ca.
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Published
April 10, 2026
Language
English