Today, the Honourable John Hogan, KC, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, announced a series of initiatives being advanced to promote internal trade across Canada.

The initiatives were highlighted by the proclamation of the Fair Registration Practices Act, and associated regulations. This will help improve foreign recognition and labour mobility for many occupations in the province.

The Fair Registration Practices Office will support skilled newcomers, Canadians educated abroad and those with credentials from other provinces and territories by ensuring they receive transparent, timely, and fair assessments from the relevant regulatory bodies for their chosen professions. It will help people get licensed to work in their field of study more efficiently.

The associated regulations outline clear timelines and details about relevant review processes. For example, Newfoundland and Labrador has established a timeline of 20 days for processing labour mobility applications. The enclosed backgrounder includes the regulatory bodies included in the Act. Additional consultations will occur with other occupational regulatory bodies regarding their potential inclusion in the Act.

Premier Hogan also launched the Workforce Relief Fund to assist businesses impacted by tariffs.

Up to 250,000 per organization will be available from the $5 million Workforce Relief Fund, supported through the Labour Market Development Agreement. Funding may be used to cover costs associated with training, retaining and upskilling workers impacted by tariffs. The application for the Workforce Relief Fund is available here.

This fund is supported through the Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement.

The Provincial Government is an active participant in the discussions to improve internal trade in Canada, which creates a stronger national economy in the face of United States tariffs. To date, actions have included:

• Following engagement with local stakeholders, Newfoundland and Labrador is joining other provinces and territories in an MOU on direct-to-consumer sales of alcoholic beverages. The scope is limited to personal consumption only, allowing consumers to order from producers in another jurisdiction. It does not include sales by, or to, wholesalers, retailers, or other licensees.
• Co-chairing a coordinated effort among provinces and territories to align regulatory standards and reduce administrative burdens for trucking operators working interprovincially.
• Removing labour mobility exceptions to make it easier for Licensed Practical Nurses from other parts of Canada to work in the province.
• Collaborating with Atlantic provinces to ensure the development of the Atlantic Physicians Registry has eliminated barriers for physicians to work seamlessly throughout the Atlantic region, providing better access to quality healthcare.
• Signing an MOU with the Government of New Brunswick, which highlights our openness to working with other jurisdictions to make it easier for businesses to operate and for skilled workers to move freely.
• Collaborating with Provincial and Territorial Trade Ministers towards finalizing a Mutual Recognition Agreement for consumer goods by the end of the year.

The Provincial Government will continue to work with its partners across Canada, as well as the roundtable of industry, community, and labour leaders to identify opportunities to create a stronger provincial economy.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to building a resilient and inclusive economy – one that supports workers, industries and communities across the province and the country. We are removing barriers to employment, supporting local businesses and contributing to a stronger, more competitive Canadian economy.”
Honourable John Hogan, KC
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Our government is taking decisive action to strengthen Newfoundland and Labrador’s workforce. The Fair Registration Practices Act ensures that skilled individuals, whether newcomers or Canadians trained elsewhere, can contribute meaningfully to our economy. At the same time, the Workforce Relief Fund provides targeted support to industries facing tariff pressures, helping protect jobs and promote long-term growth.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Jobs, Immigration and Growth

“We will explore direct-to-consumer sales of alcoholic beverages as it has the potential to open up new markets for products made in Newfoundland and Labrador, with no structural change in the existing retail environment supplied by local producers. We will be responsible in our approach to negotiating operating agreements with provinces and territories to ensure the continued collection of revenue from the sale of alcohol, and to maintain social policy measures and legal requirements, being mindful of the legal drinking age and dry communities.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance

“The proclamation of the Fair Registration Practices Act reinforces the importance of fair, transparent, and timely licensure requirements, while upholding our primary mandate of public protection. PEGNL appreciates the government’s engagement throughout the development of the Act and looks forward to continued collaboration on its implementation.”
Mark Fewer, GSP, FEC(Hon)
CEO & Registrar
Professional Engineers and Geoscientists Newfoundland and Labrador

“As the regulatory body for social work practice in the province, Newfoundland and Labrador College of Social Workers (NLCSW) ensures timely, fair and transparent processes in the assessment of all applicant’s credentials. We continue to work within our legislative requirements to support social work practice and ensure protection of the public within our province.  NLCSW is committed to collaborating with our government partners as we navigate labour mobility and workforce measures that will enable us to grow and strengthen our social work workforce, with skilled, ethical, and qualified practitioners.
Phil O’Neil MSW, RSW
Executive Director and Registrar
NLCSW

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BACKGROUNDER

Regulated professions under the Fair Registration Practices Act include:

• Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Teachers’ Certification Committee
• College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
• College of Physicians and Surgeons of Newfoundland and Labrador
• College of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Newfoundland and Labrador Council of Health Professionals
• Newfoundland and Labrador College of Social Workers
• College of Pharmacy of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Newfoundland and Labrador Psychology Board
• Newfoundland and Labrador Paramedicine Regulation
• Motor Registration Division of Department of Government Modernization and Service Delivery
• Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board