In 1994, Canada’s First Ministers signed the Agreement on Internal Trade to eliminate unnecessary inter-provincial barriers to the free movement of workers, goods, services and investments. Labour Mobility provisions under the AIT commit governments to achieve full Labour Mobility for workers in regulated occupations (trades and professions) in Canada. Labour Mobility provisions under the AIT affirm the importance of Labour Mobility to the economic welfare and prosperity of Canada.
In 2009, Labour Mobility under the AIT was further strengthened to ensure that certified workers relocating to another province/territory would be recognized as qualified to practice in that same occupation.
Since December 2014, federal, provincial and territorial governments have engaged in negotiations to strengthen and modernize the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT). The new Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) resulted from these negotiations, and entered into force July 1st, 2017. The CFTA reaffirms the labour mobility provisions and obligations established under the AIT.