As noted in our previous alert, the United Conservative
Party’s election platform included a promise to pass a
Fair Access to Regulated Professions and Compulsory Trades
Act, modelled on similar legislation adopted by the Province
of Ontario in 2006, which requires professional regulatory
organizations to ensure that their registration practices are
transparent, objective, impartial and fair. The UCP also
promised to create a Fairness for Newcomers Office with a $2.5
million budget, with a mandate to work with trade and professional
licensing bodies to streamline, simplify and accelerate foreign
credential recognition.
On June 19, 2019, the UCP introduced Bill 11 – Fair Registration Practices
Act in the legislature and quickly passed first reading.
As anticipated, Bill 11 is similar to legislation enacted in
Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia.
