Alberta aims to attract workers with fall session's first bill
The first bill introduced in the fall legislature sitting is meant to attract working professionals to Alberta.
The fall session began Monday with Premier and United Conservative Leader Jason Kenney introducing a bill intended to streamline the process of recognizing professional credentials from other Canadian provinces.
If passed, Bill 49, the Labour Mobility Act, would:
- mandate regulatory bodies recognize credentials issued by other provinces for professions with the same work scope;
- set a 40-day timeline for those agencies to approve and notify an applicant they can work in Alberta; and
- mandate regulatory authorities create a review and appeal process with reasonable timeframes.
Kenney said a government-commissioned study by C.D. Howe Institute suggested improving labour mobility could grow Alberta’s economy by $2.8 billion and the national economy by even more.
“If you can move between the nearly 30 countries of the European Union as a skilled worker without running into burdensome red tape, why can’t you do it within the 10 provinces of Canada?” he asked, mentioning he’d be writing other premiers to refresh a 2019 ask they make similar changes.
The proposed bill would affect more than 100 regulatory authorities in the health, finance, justice, education and municipal affairs sectors.
According to Kenney, the legislation was ready to go in 2020 but held by his government while Alberta’s unemployment rate was still in the double digits and the province was dealing with its third COVID-19 wave.
“Now, as we are moving into, I believe as moving into a probably strong and sustained cycle of economic growth, and we are hearing about labour shortages not just in Alberta but across the economy in North America, this is going to become an emerging challenge,” he said Monday.
“We need to skate to where the puck is going, and where the puck is going is dynamic economic growth and labour shortages. I think this is the right time to do it.”
When asked if Alberta easing labor mobility would hurt its local companies and workers, Kenney said Albertans weren’t afraid of competition and that the provincial government’s procurement search beyond provincial boundaries had only gotten taxpayers a better deal.
Kenney also promised the hastened timelines wouldn’t compromise the process, but standardize it.
“Here’s the point: When you’re an Albertan and if you get sick in B.C. or Saskatchewan, you don’t ask to see whether the doctor or the nurse is certified by their Alberta regulator. You just trust that other Canadian professionals are operating at effectively the same high and safe standard.
“So what we’re saying through this legislation is: Let’s stop second guessing each other in Canada.”
Government House Leader Jason Nixon said there are no COVID-19 specific bills expected to come in the sitting, but that the government will continue to fight the fourth wave and pass legislation if necessary.
The Opposition NDP said it plans to hold the government to account for failing to act in the summer and allowing a renewed surge of COVID-19 cases. NDP house leader Christina Gray said an all-party committee is needed to get to the bottom of what happened.
Nixon called the ask “completely inappropriate” and a way of making political gain.
He estimated between 18 and 20 bills would be passed before Christmas, as well as a motion to debate equalization after referendum results are announced Tuesday.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.