CNO welcomes your feedback on proposed changes to By-Law No. 2:  Fees. 

Overview 

CNO is proposing a new approach to setting fees that focuses on smaller, predictable annual increases, rather than large increases every few years. This shift is intended to create more stability for applicants and registrants while supporting long‑term financial planning.

To support this new approach, the Fees By-Law would be revised to provide greater flexibility in how fees are set each year. The proposed approach includes a standard annual fee increase of 7%, with built-in governance oversight by CNO’s Finance & Risk Committee and by Council to allow for a lower fee when possible, or an increase within defined limits, if necessary. This means that a 7% increase is not guaranteed. Fee increases will always be based only on CNO’s financial needs. If there isn’t a need, the increase would be smaller or even zero. Any increase beyond the defined range would require formal by-law amendments and public consultation, ensuring transparency. 

CNO’s Council, which is composed of nurses and public members, makes decisions, including those that can affect fees such as the annual budget, in the public interest. Being financially viable allows CNO to remain an effective regulator that promotes safe nursing practice and protects the public.

A few factors contribute to the need for increasing fees. Those include out-of-the-ordinary inflationary pressures, initiatives to support system partner needs and investments to upgrade our information technology infrastructure. While we take a strict approach to controlling costs, without a fee change, our operating costs would increase faster than our revenues, leading to increasing annual deficits, and falling below Council’s approved operating coverage guideline. Adopting this approach will help CNO sustain its operational capacity, while helping applicants and registrants avoid sudden, large fee increases in the future.

Proposed by-law changes: New Fee Approach

• The proposed approach would set standard annual fee increases of 7% unless:
  
  
  • the Finance & Risk Committee approves annual fee increases below 7%,
    
    or
  • Council approves increases above 7%, up to a maximum of 10%, if needed.
    
• No new fee types are being proposed.

Proposed by-law changes: Automatic Recognition

In addition to the new fee approach, Fees By-Law changes are also being introduced to support the automatic recognition (labour mobility) process. Nurses who are currently registered in another Canadian province or territory can apply to register in Ontario using automatic recognition. This process allows a nurse to register in two (2) business days by completing an application, signing an attestation form confirming good standing and good character, and paying their application fee and the registration fee. Automatic recognition was implemented on January 1, 2026. Learn more about automatic recognition.

• This proposed by-law change would enable an applicant currently registered in another Canadian jurisdiction to receive a credit equal to 25% of their application fee. The credit will be applied to any future payment the applicant makes.

This change is in response to a legislative requirement under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991. The proposed 25% application fee credit has been reviewed based on CNO’s revenue and is expected to have a minimal financial impact.

How to give your feedback 

First, review the redline version of the proposed changes. Then, complete the online survey to give your feedback. It should take approximately 5 minutes to complete. 

This consultation will close on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.  

Your responses are anonymous and confidential. CNO will only share aggregate results and anonymized verbatim quotes.  

In June 2026, Council will review your feedback as it considers approving the changes.