Can you move to Ontario with return of service from another province?
We found no primary source in Ontario, BC, Alberta, Manitoba or Nova Scotia that lets a return of service obligation move to, or be served in, Ontario. Each obligation sits under its own province and contract, so read yours before you sign anything here.
Researched by Button Health. Last checked .
Ontario’s rules speak to this situation only from the Ontario side. The ministry page says:
“Physicians who have pending ROS commitments in other provinces are required to fulfill their Ontario ROS commitments first.”
“Physicians with multiple ROS agreements must adhere to the conditions of the more restrictive ROS agreement.”
CaRMS adds that it is “the responsibility of the applicant to confirm eligibility with respect to ROS requirements of other provinces.”
Obligations by province
| Province | Program | Length | Where served | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC | Family medicine residency | Two years | Same regional health authority as the training site, unless the Ministry designates otherwise (2027 match) | September 2026 |
| BC | Practice ready assessment | Three years | Rural Practice Subsidiary Agreement or Primary Care Network communities | February 2026 |
| Alberta | Residency | “no provincial return of service requirement” | Not applicable | June 2026 |
| Manitoba | Residency | “commensurate with the length of the training program” | Contract with Manitoba Health | July 2026 |
| Manitoba | Licensure program for IMGs | 4 years | Rural and underserviced areas | 2022, confirm it is current |
| Nova Scotia | Residency | Three years | Current definition not found | 2023 |
| Ontario | IMG residency | 7,200 hours for 2026 signers | Anywhere except the City of Ottawa and the Toronto area | December 2025 |
The Alberta row covers residency only. We could not confirm the terms for its practice ready program, so do not read it as “Alberta has no return of service.”
British Columbia: a live court decision
BC’s Ministry of Health has posted a statement on a BC Supreme Court judgment about IMG return of service:
“All existing ROS agreements remain in effect, and medical residents and physician participants should continue to fulfill their current commitments while legal and policy options are considered.”
The Canadian Press reported that the court suspended the ruling for 60 days. We could not retrieve the judgment or confirm any appeal, and no source applies it to Ontario. This section may change soon, so check for updates before relying on it.
What leaving BC could cost
BC’s family medicine contract template for the 2027 cohort states a repayment amount of $660,000 for a breach between the first day of the second year of residency and completion of service, plus compound interest on $165,000 from the first day of year 1, on $165,000 from the first day of year 2, and on the remaining $330,000 from the date of first breach. It says the amount “is not pro-rated based on partial completion of the Return of Service Term.” Contract terms vary by cohort. Read the one you signed.
If you train in Ontario after another province
- Transfers into Ontario-funded training carry their own obligation: “All ministry funded IMG training programs in Ontario, including subspecialty positions and out of province transfers, have ROS requirements.”
- Manitoba and Nova Scotia say an undischarged obligation may affect eligibility for funded training positions there.
What to do before signing in Ontario
- Read your signed contract for its breach and repayment terms.
- Ask your province in writing what happens if you leave.
- Ask Ontario whether anything in your history affects you here.
- Get independent legal advice. BC itself says the “ROS contract is a legal commitment that warrants independent legal advice.”
Confirm how this applies to your agreement with the Ministry of Health.
Common questions
Can I serve my BC return of service in Ontario?
BC documents describe service inside BC only, with location changes handled by its Ministry of Health. We found nothing allowing it to be served in Ontario. BC rules are also the subject of a recent court decision, so get current advice.
What if I have return of service in Ontario and another province?
Ontario says physicians with pending commitments in other provinces "are required to fulfill their Ontario ROS commitments first," and physicians with multiple agreements must adhere to the more restrictive one.
Does Alberta have return of service for IMGs?
For residency, the CaRMS Alberta criteria say "There is no provincial return of service requirement." That line covers residency only. We could not confirm the service terms for Alberta practice ready assessment, which may sit in sponsor contracts.
Related questions
- How much does it cost to buy out return of service in Ontario?
- Do UK, Irish, Australian and US family doctors need return of service in Ontario?
- What should you ask a Toronto clinic before you sign after return of service?
Sources
- BC, Practice Ready Assessment (updated February 18, 2026)
- University of Manitoba, IMG program application (2022)
- Ontario, Health human resources (updated November 2, 2026)
- CaRMS, Ontario eligibility criteria
- BC, Return of service programs
- BC, PGME IMG program, including the province statement on the court judgment
- BC family medicine ROS contract template, 2027 cohort
- CaRMS, Alberta eligibility criteria
- CaRMS, Manitoba eligibility criteria
- University of Manitoba, IMG programs
- Nova Scotia, residency class announcement (2023)
- CaRMS, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and PEI eligibility criteria
- Canadian Press report on the BC decision, September 15, 2026
The offer
Family physician, Bay and College, Toronto.
Compensation
Fee-for-service Family Health Group (FHG), applying for FHO+ next year.
Overhead: 0% for your first one and a half OHIP billing cycles. Then 20% of your OHIP billings (plus HST) at four or more clinical days a week or $30,000 a month in billings. Below that, 25%.
Estimated earnings: $32,000 to $43,000 a month in billings. $25,000 to $35,000 a month after overhead, from OHIP and private fees.
Attachment bonus: OHIP pays you $100 to $120 for each patient you attach who has no family doctor.
Profit share: Builds by about $3,200 a month, up to $38,000 a year, scaled to days worked. Paid by the clinic in June and December, no overhead. Can go toward your annual HOOPP pension contribution.
Paid leave: six weeks a year, building from your first day. A locum sees your patients while you’re away, so nothing piles up.
Professional allowance: up to $5,000 a year for CME, dues and licensing.
Gym membership: paid by the clinic.
About this research
Button Health researched these rules directly from ministry, regulator and other primary sources, and links each one so you can read it yourself. Button Health is a family practice at Bay and College in Toronto that recruits family physicians, so we have an interest in this topic.
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules change, and your agreement is what binds you.