Office of the Premier
ST. JOHN'S, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR - Premier Christy Clark and Premier Paul Davis have signed an agreement in principle to enhance workforce co-operation and mobility of skilled workers between the Province of British Columbia and the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
“This agreement will make it easier for skilled workers in Canada to find work in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Premier Clark. “Removing barriers to labour mobility will play a key part in efforts to make it easier for Canadians to find good, well-paying jobs while supporting the successful economies of both provinces. Skilled workers get access to more job opportunities while employers gain a wider selection of candidates.”
Premier Clark made the announcement during the 2015 Summer Meeting of Canada’s Premiers.
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports a national vision for our country’s shifting economy,” said Premier Davis. “A mobile workforce plays an important role in this vision. It is important for us to work cooperatively with other jurisdictions to ensure the availability of a skilled competitive labour force, reduce barriers to apprenticeship mobility and ultimately leverage employment and training opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and British Columbians.”
Both provinces remain committed to a long-term partnership to address demographic challenges and skills shortages that impact the ability to meet labour market needs, especially for the natural resource sectors.
British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador acknowledge that cooperation on workforce development and the mobility of skilled people are necessary to support the economies of both provinces.
This agreement supports efforts to put Canadians first in line for jobs and make it easier for skilled workers to find work across jurisdictions.
As a result of the agreement in principle, the two provinces will prepare a Memorandum of Understanding to address the following priorities:
- Improve sharing of labour market information between British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador to facilitate co-ordinated workforce deployment;
- Actively facilitate workforce mobility between British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador employers; and,
- Accelerate certification of British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador apprentices in their trades through employment in British Columbia or Newfoundland and Labrador.
Media Contacts:
Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
Newfoundland and Labrador
709 729-3581
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca
