Trade Agreements and Negotiations
Labour Mobility
The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)
The Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) is an intergovernmental trade agreement signed by all Canadian First Ministers (provincial, territorial, federal). The CFTA entered into force on July 1, 2017. The objective of the Agreement is to reduce and eliminate, to the extent possible, barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services and investments within Canada and to establish an open, efficient and stable domestic market.
Chapter 7 (Labour Mobility) of the CFTA
The CFTA's labour mobility obligations reflect Manitoba's commitment to ensuring full labour mobility for certified workers in regulated occupations (professions and trades) applying to Manitoba from other Canadian jurisdictions.
CFTA's Chapter 7 states that a certified, licensed, registered or officially recognized worker in one province or territory will, upon application, be certified, licensed, registered or officially recognized for that same occupation by any other province or territory without the worker being required to undertake additional requirements, such as education, training or examination.
Certain specific additional requirements, such as undergoing a criminal record check, are permitted by the CFTA. Additionally, where a significant variation in occupational standards exists between Canadian jurisdictions for a given occupation, a government may maintain an exception to full labour mobility as required to achieve a legitimate objective, such as public security and safety. The Government of Manitoba maintains exceptions to full labour mobility for the following regulated occupations:
- Licensed Practical Nurse (PDF)
For additional information about Chapter 7 of the CFTA please visit workersmobility.ca.
The New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA)
On January 1, 2017 Manitoba joined the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA). NWPTA is an accord between the Governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba that creates Canada's largest, barrier-free, interprovincial market.
The Agreement contains a "special provision" for Labour Mobility (Article 13) which, similar to Chapter 7 (Labour Mobility) of the CFTA, allows for certified workers in regulated occupations to have their qualifications recognized as they move between the four provinces.
Like the CFTA, where a significant variation in occupational standards exists between NWPTA Parties, a government may maintain an exception to full labour mobility as required to achieve a legitimate objective, such as public security and safety. Manitoba maintains an exception to full labour mobility for the regulated occupation of Licensed Practical Nurse under the CFTA, which also applies under the NWPTA.
NOTE: Labour Mobility obligations under the CFTA and NWPTA apply to individuals who are currently certified/licensed/registered in a regulated occupation in Canada.
For additional information about the labour mobility provisions of NWPTA, please visit the NWPTA's Professional or Skilled Tradesperson page.
For labour mobility related questions contact:
Labour Mobility Coordinator - Manitoba
Email: fpir@gov.mb.ca
Related Links:
- For Apprentices:
Provincial Territorial Apprentice Mobility Protocol and Agreement
- International Qualification Recognition:
Fair Registration Practices Office
