Prime Minister Stephen Harper and provincial premiers endorsed amendments to the Agreement on Internal Trade that should improve labour mobility between provinces at Friday’s First Ministers’ meeting.

The revised Labour Mobility Chapter of the AIT will provide that any worker certified for an occupation by a regulatory authority of one province or territory is to be recognized as qualified for that occupation by all other provinces and territories.

The revised government-to-government dispute resolution mechanism of the AIT will, among other things, provide for monetary penalties of up to $5 million, depending on the size of the jurisdiction, for continued non-compliance with AIT obligations.

“I am very pleased and the premiers and territorial leaders are to be commended for their leadership in taking action to ensure all Canadian
workers have the freedom to be able to work in their fields anywhere in Canada,” stated Harper.

“Today’s amendments pave the way for further strengthening our economic union.”