Court directs the Ontario Minister of Health to reverse restrictive residency application criteria /// La Cour ordonne le ministre de la Santé de l’Ontario de renverser les critères restrictifs d’admissibilité au jumelage en résidence

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“The court directs the Minister of Health to issue a fresh directive to such agencies and organizations as may be necessary to re-open the applications process relating to the 2026 R-1 match so that Residency candidates who were excluded by the requirement that they have attended high school in Ontario for two years shall have […]

Update on Judicial Stay for 2026 R-1 Match in Ontario / Mise à jour sur la suspension judiciaire du jumelage R-1 2026 en Ontario

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November 28, 2025 CARMS Email to IMG Subject: Update on Judicial Stay for 2026 R-1 Match in Ontario / Mise à jour sur la suspension judiciaire du jumelage R-1 2026 en Ontario (Le français suit l’anglais.) On November 27, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Divisional Court) ordered on an interim interim basis that the […]

You are practicing medicine in Canada and want to be a preceptor for a medical student doing a clinical rotation?

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Vous pratiquez la médecine au Canada et vous voulez guider un étudiant en médecine?

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QUEBEC’S REQUIREMENT WITH REGARDS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF FRENCH IN THAT PROVINCE.

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SOME OF YOU HAVE ASKED FOR INFORMATION REGARDING QUEBEC’S REQUIREMENT WITH REGARDS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF FRENCH FOR PROFESSIONAL ORDERS. Here are the details: https://www.cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-dexercice-regulier-par-la-reconnaissance-dequivalence-du-m-d You’ll see that the knowledge of French is a legal requirement that applies to all professional orders : “Section 35 of the Charter of the French language stipulates that the […]

Letter to stakeholders: CARMS Medical Residency Match Eligibility criteria in Ontario / Critères d’admissibilité au jumelage des résidents en médecine CARMS en Ontario

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To :  Ontario Faculties of Medicine Program Directors  Ontario Media  Ontario PGME Associate Deans pgmedean@mcmaster.ca anath@uOttawa.ca adpge@nosm.ca jmccoleman@nosm.ca postgrad.med@utoronto.ca muellevm@torontomu.ca pgme@queensu.ca postgraduate.medicine@schulich.uwo.ca  COFM members  smcnickle@cou.ca  OMA info@oma.org Ontario MOH Premier Ford Premier@ontario.ca Sylvia Jones sylvia.jones@ontario.ca David Lamb david.lamb@ontario.ca Karima Velji Karima.Velji@ontario.ca   Many Ontario Residency Program Directors are expressing that they value diversity, are not […]

Talk to your local politician!

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Parlez à votre politicien local!

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SOCASMA APPUIT LA CRÉATION DU COLLECTIF DES MÉDECINS FRANCOPHONES INTERNATIONAUX DU CANADA

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La Society of Canadians Study Medicine Abroad est heureuse d’annoncer la création d’une branche de ses activitées qui est dédiée aux médecins francophones formés à l’étranger.  Le Collectif des médecins francophones internationaux du Canada, qui regroupe plus de 150 médecins francophones formés à l’étranger, s’est doté des objectifs qui suivent: Objectifs du Collectif des médecins […]

ELECTIVES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

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The purpose of this post is to respond to a number of enquiries/concerns we have received related to Independent clinical electives (outside the AFMC portal) in British Columbia. Electives are important for the match process. The chances of matching is positively correlated to doing an elective in a country, province, and medical school.  Thus, electives […]

Author Archives: Carole L.

  1. Court directs the Ontario Minister of Health to reverse restrictive residency application criteria /// La Cour ordonne le ministre de la Santé de l’Ontario de renverser les critères restrictifs d’admissibilité au jumelage en résidence

    Comments Off on Court directs the Ontario Minister of Health to reverse restrictive residency application criteria /// La Cour ordonne le ministre de la Santé de l’Ontario de renverser les critères restrictifs d’admissibilité au jumelage en résidence

    “The court directs the Minister of Health to issue a fresh directive to such agencies and organizations as may be necessary to re-open the applications process relating to the 2026 R-1 match so that Residency candidates who were excluded by the requirement that they have attended high school in Ontario for two years shall have until December 8, 2025 at 5 PM to submit applications to the Canadian Resident Matching Service for Residencies in Ontario.”

    https://www.carms.ca/news/update-on-ontario-img-eligibility-court-decision/

    Basically the injunction has been granted so the new rule does not take effect until such time as the case is heard in full.  This means that the rule does not apply to the 2026 Match.

    Here is the court decision:  Reasons for Judgment


    “La Cour ordonne au ministère de la Santé d’émettre une nouvelle directive aux agences et aux organisations, selon le besoin, d’ouvrir à nouveau le processus de soumission des candidatures lié au jumelage R-1 de 2026 afin que les candidats qui ont été exclus en raison de l’exigence qu’ils aient complété deux années d’études secondaires en Ontario aient jusqu’au 8 décembre 2025 à 17 h (HE) pour soumettre des candidatures au Service canadien de jumelage des résidents pour des postes de résidence en Ontario.”

    https://www.carms.ca/fr/nouvelles/information-concernant-la-decision-de-la-cour-a-propos-de-ladmissibilite-des-dim/

    En résumé l’injonction n’a pas été accordée pour que le nouveau règlement ne vienne pas en vigueur jusqu’à ce que la cause soit entendue dans son intiéreté.  Ceci signifique que le règlement ne s’applique pas au jumelage en résidence 2026.

    Voir le lien à la décision plus haut (en anglais seulement).

     

     

  2. Update on Judicial Stay for 2026 R-1 Match in Ontario / Mise à jour sur la suspension judiciaire du jumelage R-1 2026 en Ontario

    Comments Off on Update on Judicial Stay for 2026 R-1 Match in Ontario / Mise à jour sur la suspension judiciaire du jumelage R-1 2026 en Ontario

    November 28, 2025

    CARMS Email to IMG

    Subject: Update on Judicial Stay for 2026 R-1 Match in Ontario / Mise à jour sur la
    suspension judiciaire du jumelage R-1 2026 en Ontario

    (Le français suit l’anglais.)
    On November 27, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Divisional Court) ordered on
    an interim interim basis that the policy of the Ontario government requiring
    international medical graduates (IMGs) applying to Ontario-based positions in the first
    iteration of the 2026 R-1 Main Residency Match to have completed two years of high
    school in Ontario is stayed. This court order temporarily r(estores eligibility to all

    IMGs to apply in the first iteration of the R-1 match in Ontario, until such a time as
    the Court makes a final decision on the matter. Judicial proceedings are expected to
    resume on Monday, December 1.
    Pending a final eligibility decision, the seven Ontario medical schools, supported by
    the AFMC, have jointly agreed to open a supplementary application window to allow
    affected individuals to proceed with submitting applications to Ontario programs on a
    provisional basis. Interested applicants will have until Thursday, December 4 at
    17:00 ET to submit applications to Ontario IMG programs. For detailed information
    about how to proceed with submitting applications, please visit the CaRMS Help
    Center

    Faculties have made this decision to give affected individuals the best chance of
    success in the event that the Court’s final decision is to override the Ontario high
    school requirement. However, if the Ontario high school requirement is restored,
    applications submitted to Ontario programs by applicants that do not meet that
    criteria may not be eligible in the first iteration. In this case, applicants whose first
    iteration applications are rendered ineligible will be provided with equivalent credits
    for use in the second iteration so they will not be subject to any additional fees.
    CARMS understands this is an uncertain situation for applicants, and will keep you
    informed of process changes as decisions get made.


    le 28 novembre 2025

    Courriel de CARMS aux DIM qui postulent pour le jumelage en résidence 2026

    Mise à jour sur la suspension judiciaire du jumelage R-1 2026 en Ontario

    Le 27 novembre, la Cour supérieure de justice de l’Ontario (Cour divisionnaire) a
    ordonné à titre provisoire que la politique du gouvernement de l’Ontario exigeant
    que les diplômés internationaux en médecine (DIM) qui postulent à des postes en
    Ontario lors du premier tour du jumelage principal R-1 de 2026 aient terminé deux
    années d’études secondaires en Ontario soit suspendue. Cette ordonnance judiciaire
    rétablit l’admissibilité de tous les DIM à postuler au premier tour du jumelage R-1
    en Ontario jusqu’à ce que la Cour prenne une décision définitive sur ce sujet. Les
    procédures judiciaires devraient reprendre le lundi 1er décembre 2025.

    Dans l’attente d’une décision définitive concernant l’admissibilité, les sept facultés de
    médecine de l’Ontario, avec le soutien de l’AFMC, ont conjointement convenu d’ouvrir
    une fenêtre de candidature supplémentaire pour permettre aux personnes affectées
    de procéder avec la soumission de candidatures aux programmes en Ontario sur une
    base provisoire. Les candidats et candidates intéressés ont jusqu’au
    jeudi 4 décembre 2025 à 17 h (HE) pour soumettre des candidatures aux
    programmes pour les DIM en Ontario. Pour de l’information détaillée quant à la
    façon de procéder avec la soumission des candidatures, veuillez visiter le centre
    d’aide de CaRMS.
    Les facultés ont pris cette décision pour donner aux personnes affectées la meilleure
    chance de réussite au cas où la décision définitive de la Cour serait d’annuler
    l’exigence concernant les études secondaires en Ontario. Cependant, si l’exigence
    concernant les études secondaires en Ontario est rétablie, les candidatures
    soumises aux programmes en Ontario par les candidats et les candidates qui ne
    répondent pas aux critères pourraient ne pas être admissibles lors du premier
    tour. Dans ce cas, les personnes dont les candidatures soumises au premier tour
    deviennent inadmissibles recevront un nombre équivalent de crédits qu’elles
    pourront utiliser lors du deuxième tour afin qu’elles ne soient pas obligées de payer
    des frais supplémentaires.
    Nous comprenons qu’il s’agit d’une situation incertaine pour les candidats et les
    candidates et nous vous tiendrons informé des changements de processus au fur et à
    mesure que des décisions sont prises.

  3. QUEBEC’S REQUIREMENT WITH REGARDS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF FRENCH IN THAT PROVINCE.

    Comments Off on QUEBEC’S REQUIREMENT WITH REGARDS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF FRENCH IN THAT PROVINCE.

    SOME OF YOU HAVE ASKED FOR INFORMATION REGARDING QUEBEC’S REQUIREMENT WITH REGARDS TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF FRENCH FOR PROFESSIONAL ORDERS.
    Here are the details: https://www.cmq.org/en/acc%C3%A9der-%C3%A0-la-profession/international/permis-dexercice-regulier-par-la-reconnaissance-dequivalence-du-m-d

    You’ll see that the knowledge of French is a legal requirement that applies to all professional orders :

    “Section 35 of the Charter of the French language stipulates that the professional orders shall not issue permits except to persons whose knowledge of the official language is appropriate to the practice of their profession.”

    But there are exceptions and accommodations that are made for certain professionals that need time to fine tune their ability to speak French:

    “Note that under section 37 of the Charter, a “temporary” permit may be issued. See Step 4.”

    “French language proficiency
    You must provide proof of French language proficiency (this link provides information about the examination, French courses and exemption criteria) or pass the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) examination.”

    “In addition, under section 37 of the Charter of the French language a professional order may issue a temporary permit that is valid for one year to people from outside Quebec (M.D. from outside Quebec) who meet the requirements for the issuance of a regular permit to practice, but who do not have a working knowledge of French. This type of permit can be renewed subject to certain conditions.”

    This last paragraph seems to imply that this exception only applies to physicians practicing in other provinces. There’s a question as to whether or not this applies to IMGs. The CARMS web site is not clear. Have a look: https://www.carms.ca/match/fsrm/eligibility-criteria/fsrm-summary-of-language-proficiency-requirements/#1705503695025-aa5012f8-afd0
    If you click on program description under Quebec, there are no instructions regarding language.

    Finally, the Medical Council of Canada web site says : “To demonstrate proficiency in French in Quebec, you must achieve a pass result on the Office québécois de la langue française (OQLF) examination.” https://mcc.ca/credentials-and-services/pathways-to-licensure/pathways-for-international-medical-graduates/supporting-itps-before-arrival-in-canada/

    Here are the details for this Office québécois de la langue française examination: https://www.quebec.ca/en/education/learn-french/professional-order/exam

    Here’s the Guide to get ready for this exam. The Guide is only available in French: https://www.oqlf.gouv.qc.ca/francisation/ordres_prof/documents/guide-information-examen.pdf

    In you have any questions, contact the general information service of the Office québécois de la langue française:

    Montréal area:
    514 873-6565

    Elsewhere in Québec (toll free):
    1 888 873-6202

  4. Letter to stakeholders: CARMS Medical Residency Match Eligibility criteria in Ontario / Critères d’admissibilité au jumelage des résidents en médecine CARMS en Ontario

    Comments Off on Letter to stakeholders: CARMS Medical Residency Match Eligibility criteria in Ontario / Critères d’admissibilité au jumelage des résidents en médecine CARMS en Ontario

    To :

     Ontario Faculties of Medicine Program Directors

     Ontario Media

     Ontario PGME Associate Deans

    pgmedean@mcmaster.ca

    anath@uOttawa.ca

    adpge@nosm.ca

    jmccoleman@nosm.ca

    postgrad.med@utoronto.ca

    muellevm@torontomu.ca

    pgme@queensu.ca

    postgraduate.medicine@schulich.uwo.ca

     COFM members  smcnickle@cou.ca

     OMA info@oma.org

    Ontario MOH

    Premier Ford Premier@ontario.ca

    Sylvia Jones

    sylvia.jones@ontario.ca

    David Lamb

    david.lamb@ontario.ca

    Karima Velji Karima.Velji@ontario.ca

     

    Many Ontario Residency Program Directors are expressing that they value diversity, are not in agreement with, and do not support, the Ontario government’s recent changes to the CaRMS eligibility criteria. They believe “A Canadian is a Canadian” and want to choose the most qualified candidates for their program regardless of where they attended high school or medical school. 

    We invite Ontario residency programs to act in solidarity with each other to protest inequitable Match policy by agreeing to select NO candidates from the first iteration so ALL candidates are moved to the open second iteration where ALL can compete on an equal basis. 

     Show with this action that Ontario Post Graduate Medical Education values diversity and equity!

     Society of Canadians Studying Medicine Abroad (SOCASMA)

    Rosemary Pawliuk, President

    and Dr. Laura Blew, Board member and Ontario Family Physican  

     Internationally Trained Physicians of Canada ( ITPC)

     Le Collectif des médecins francophones internationaux du Canada

     Canadian On Paper Society of Immigrant Physicians Equality (COPSIPE)

     The Foundation of International Medical Graduates 

      ————————————————————————————————————————-

    Traduction

    De nombreux directeurs de programmes de résidence de l’Ontario expriment leur attachement à la diversité, leur désaccord avec les récentes modifications apportées par le gouvernement de l’Ontario aux critères d’admissibilité du CaRMS et leur refus de les soutenir. Ils croient qu’« un Canadien est un Canadien » et souhaitent sélectionner les candidats les plus qualifiés pour leur programme, peu importe où ils ont fait leurs études secondaires ou leur faculté de médecine.

    Nous invitons les programmes de résidence de l’Ontario à manifester leur solidarité pour protester contre la politique inéquitable de jumelage en acceptant de ne sélectionner AUCUN candidat lors du premier tour afin que TOUS les candidats soient transférés au deuxième tour, ouvert à tous, où TOUS peuvent concourir sur un pied d’égalité.

    Montrez par cette action que le programme d’études médicales postdoctorales de l’Ontario valorise la diversité et l’équité !

    Society of Canadians Studying Medicine Abroad (SOCASMA)

    Rosemary Pawliuk, Présidente

    et Dr. Laura Blew, membre du Conseil d’administration et médecin de famille en Ontario  

    Internationally Trained Physicians of Canada ( ITPC)

    Le Collectif des médecins francophones internationaux du Canada

    Canadian On Paper Society of Immigrant Physicians Equality (COPSIPE)

     The Foundation of International Medical Graduates

     

  5. SOCASMA APPUIT LA CRÉATION DU COLLECTIF DES MÉDECINS FRANCOPHONES INTERNATIONAUX DU CANADA

    Comments Off on SOCASMA APPUIT LA CRÉATION DU COLLECTIF DES MÉDECINS FRANCOPHONES INTERNATIONAUX DU CANADA

    La Society of Canadians Study Medicine Abroad est heureuse d’annoncer la création d’une branche de ses activitées qui est dédiée aux médecins francophones formés à l’étranger.  Le Collectif des médecins francophones internationaux du Canada, qui regroupe plus de 150 médecins francophones formés à l’étranger, s’est doté des objectifs qui suivent:

    Objectifs du Collectif des médecins francophones du Canada (1)

    Quelques initiatives ont déjà en cours, par exemple:

    • Des groupes d’études en vue des examens du Conseil médical du Canada.  Ces groupes d’études échangent régulièrement par le biais de l’application What’s App.
    • Des échanges avec les Collèges de médecins et les facultés de médecine.
    • Un projet pilote pour le recrutement de médecins francophones pour le Nord de l’Ontario.

    Pour plus d’information au sujet du Collectif et de ses initiatives, prière d’envoyer un courriel à :  socasma.working@gmail.com

    Vous pouvez échanger avec les membres du Collectif à partir du groupe What’s App suivant : https://chat.whatsapp.com/JHIoHIppTkY7GtGoDURLWX


    SOCASMA SUPPORT THE CREATION OF LE COLLECTIF DES MÉDECINS FRANCOPHONES INTERNATIONAUX DU CANADA

    The Society of Canadians Study Medicine Abroad is pleased to announce the creation of a branch of its activities dedicated to French-speaking physicians trained abroad. The Collectif des médecins francophones internationaux du Canada, which brings together more than 150 French-speaking physicians trained abroad, has adopted the following objectives (see linked document above).

    Some initiatives have already underway, for example:

    Study groups for the Medical Council of Canada exams. These study groups communicate regularly via WhatsApp.
    Exchanges with Colleges of Physicians and Faculties of Medicine.
    A pilot project for the recruitment of French-speaking physicians for Northern Ontario.

    For more information about the Collective and its initiatives, please email socasma.working@gmail.com

    You can communicate with members of the Collective through the following What’s App group:  https://chat.whatsapp.com/JHIoHIppTkY7GtGoDURLWX

  6. ELECTIVES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

    Comments Off on ELECTIVES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA

    The purpose of this post is to respond to a number of enquiries/concerns we have received related to Independent clinical electives (outside the AFMC portal) in British Columbia. Electives are important for the match process. The chances of matching is positively correlated to doing an elective in a country, province, and medical school.  Thus, electives are definitely worth the effort.
    There are two types of electives: (i) an elective in a university program (UBC visiting elective in BC), and (ii) independent or private electives. BC calls the latter Independent clinical electives (ICE).  To apply for a university sponsored elective, you must apply through the AFMC student portal. Student Portal | Portail étudiant – Opening doors to visiting electives. | Une porte ouverte pour les étudiants visiteurs.  To do any elective you must be registered with the College of Physicians and Surgeons.  CPSBC (College of Physicians and Surgeons in BC) posts information about the requirements
    for registration for an independent elective in BC on its website. Independent clinical experience College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC CPSBC advises that the most common complications noted in processing applications for independent electives (ICE) are:

    – It is necessary to obtain hospital letters that meet CPSBC’s requirements.
    The letter must
    o be on hospital letter head,
    o include the dates of elective,
    o include the supervisor’s name, and
    o be signed by VP/Chief of Staff/equivalent and not the supervisor.
    – Supervisor letters should be submitted to CPSBC directly from the supervisor
    or their MOA/clinic, i.e., not by the student.
    – Applications must not be sent in too early to process (ie: they are to be sent
    no sooner than 3 months from the elective start date)
    – Letter of good standing must not be sent in too early (i.e., to be sent no
    sooner that 60 days from start of elective)

    Students in any academic year may apply for Independent electives in BC.  However, international medical students in their final program year must contact UBC first and receive a “decline email” from UBC before they may apply for an independent elective directly through CPSBC.
    Application packages are obtained from UBC in the case of a UBC sponsored elective and
    directly from CPSBC for independent electives.