EDMONTON, ALBERTA, JUNE 22, 2011—The Government of Canada is helping nurses practice their profession anywhere in Canada, wherever opportunities or labour shortages may exist.
Mr. Brent Rathgeber, Member of Parliament for Edmonton – St. Albert, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, announced support to the College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta. This will help the College work with stakeholders to establish national standards for the nursing profession so that practical nurses can work anywhere in the country without having to re-certify their credentials.
“Our government is taking concrete action to make full labour mobility a reality,” said Mr. Rathgeber. “We support labour mobility to ensure Canadian workers can enter the labour market quickly, when and where they are needed, helping to address labour shortages and strengthen the economy.”
The Government of Canada also recognizes the importance of helping foreign-trained healthcare professionals get jobs in their fields of expertise. That is why, under the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, service standards were established so that internationally-trained professionals in eight priority occupations, including nurses, can have their qualifications assessed within one year, anywhere in Canada.
Once licensed in Canada, internationally trained practical nurses will also be able to move freely between provinces and territories.
The Government of Canada partners with the provinces and territories and key stakeholders to enhance labour mobility and improve foreign credential recognition in Canada. This is part of the government’s strategy to have the best educated, most skilled and most flexible workforce in the world.
Canada’s Economic Action Plan built upon this strategy by providing additional support to help Canadians recover from the economic downturn and prepare for the economy of the future.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Ann Matejicka
Director of Communications
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
The Agreement on Internal Trade, which was signed by all provinces and territories and the Government of Canada, came into effect in 1995 with the goal of facilitating the movement of people, investments and services across Canada. In August 2009, changes to Chapter 7 of the Agreement, which addressed inter-provincial mobility, were ratified by all parties. These amendments ensure that any worker who is certified for a regulated occupation in one province or territory can be certified in any other province or territory.
Labour mobility refers to the freedom of workers to practise their occupation or trade wherever opportunities exist. While most Canadians can now benefit from full labour mobility, exceptions exist in certain provinces and territories for some occupations. Information on exceptions is available on the Internal Trade Secretariat’s website at www.ait-aci.ca/index_en.htm.
Under the Pan-Canadian Framework for the Assessment and Recognition of Foreign Qualifications, the Government of Canada is working with the provinces and territories and other partners to address barriers to foreign credential recognition. Once licensed in Canada, internationally-trained professionals will also be able to move freely between provinces and territories without having to re-certify their credentials.
The College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta (CLPNA) is the regulatory (licensing) organization for the province’s nearly 9 000 Licensed Practical Nurses. CLPNA regulates the profession by setting entry-to-practice requirements, establishing, promoting and enforcing standards of practice and conduct, and enhancing the care provided by members of the profession through the Continuing Competency Program.
