Ontario court extends deadline for R-1 CaRMS match for applicants who would have been excluded by new provincial policy

On Thursday, Dec. 4, the Ontario Superior Court decided to restrain a controversial policy from Ontario’s Ministry of Health. Back in October, the Ontario government established a policy that in order to be eligible to apply to the Canadian Resident Matching Service’s 2026 R-1 match 2026, candidates must have previously completed two years of high school in Ontario. But a court order on Thursday means applicants have a new application deadline—coming up fast—of Monday, Dec. 8 at 5:00 pm ET.A notice on the CaRMS website has further details on what the court has ordered: “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.”CaRMs noted that all application packages submitted before the new deadline will be considered on time. “We recognize this situation has been potentially disruptive to you as an applicant. CaRMS has been working to ensure that the information you are provided with is both timely and accurate, while trying to navigate the same uncertainties you may have been experiencing,” the site reads. In reaction to the court decision, Internationally Trained Physicians of Canada released a celebratory statement, but noted “it is deeply concerning that such a discriminatory rule had to be challenged in court to protect the basic rights of physicians who already call Ontario home and serve its communities.”Ontario's Ministry of Health did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This is a developing story. More to come.

Ontario court extends deadline for R-1 CaRMS match for applicants who would have been excluded by new provincial policy

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