In October, the Ontario government announced changes to eligibility for the R-1 Main Residency Match in that province – permitting only Canadian medical graduates (CMGs), and international medical graduates (IMGs) who completed two years of high school in Ontario, to apply for positions at Ontario Faculties of Medicine in the first iteration of the match. All other IMGs applying to Ontario-based positions would only be considered in the second iteration of the match.
Today, November 27, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Divisional Court) ordered on an interim interim basis that:
- The Policy of the Minister of Health dated October 8, 2025, related to the 2026 R-1 match and requiring individuals to have completed at least two years of high school in Ontario in order to be considered for Ontario-designated positions in the first iteration of the R-1 match, is stayed pending the completion of the hearing of the motion and the disposition of the motion.
- The interim order shall remain in effect until the conclusion of the hearing of the motion and the disposition of the motion, or until further order of the Court.
While this court order temporarily restores eligibility to all IMGs to apply in the first iteration of the R-1 match in Ontario, more time is required to adapt the related match processes.
We expect to have further information tomorrow, November 28, 2025. We advise affected individuals to await this more detailed information before proceeding with the submission of applications.
