Legislation introduced to help internationally educated people practise in NB sooner

Today, our government introduced legislation to help internationally educated people practise their professions in New Brunswick sooner.

“We know that there are skilled workers already here, and others looking to move here, who have had difficulty getting their foreign credentials recognized, leaving them with limited options,” said Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Trevor Holder. “This legislation will support improved pathways to employment for newcomers here in New Brunswick.”

The Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act mirrors legislation already in place elsewhere in Canada. If approved, it would require regulatory bodies to:

·Establish transparent, objective, impartial and efficient application and registration processes.

·Comply with the Canada Free Trade Agreement, which ensures recognition of credentials among New Brunswick and other Canadian jurisdictions.

The new legislation would also allow the minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour to require regulatory bodies to report how their registration practices comply with requirements of the legislation and, if necessary, order them to take all appropriate steps to ensure compliance. The minister may also direct that applications in priority occupations be fast-tracked.

“Newcomers are key to meeting labour force demands, and this legislation will provide them with opportunities to use their learned skills sooner,” said Holder. “By working closely with newcomers, we are well positioned to continue growing our population and building on the success we are experiencing right here at home.”

Regulatory bodies set standards of practice and qualifications for a profession, occupation or trade. To work as a professional in a regulated occupation in New Brunswick, workers must have their credentials recognized by the relevant regulatory body and be granted a licence or certification.