The Agreement on Internal Trade Labour Mobility, also known as AIT, is an inter-provincial agreement between Canadian provinces and territories that aims to remove barriers to labour mobility. The agreement was signed by all provinces and territories of Canada, except Nunavut, in 1995.
The AIT is designed to promote the free movement of workers within Canada, which means that a worker who is licensed to do a particular job in one province should be allowed to do the same job in another province without having to go through the licensing process again. This allows workers to take advantage of job opportunities in other provinces that otherwise might not be available to them.
The AIT covers 10 professions, including architects, engineers, certified general accountants, chartered accountants, lawyers, dentists, optometrists, physicians, pharmacists, and veterinarians. The agreement establishes a set of national standards for each profession, which all provinces and territories must follow.
The AIT also includes a dispute resolution mechanism. If a worker feels that a province or territory is not following the agreed-upon standards, they can file a complaint with the AIT Secretariat. The Secretariat will then investigate the complaint and try to resolve the issue through negotiation. If negotiation fails, the dispute can be taken to an independent panel for a final decision.
The AIT has been effective in reducing barriers to labour mobility in Canada. It has allowed workers to move freely between provinces and territories, which has helped to fill labour shortages in some areas. It has also made it easier for businesses to operate across provincial borders, which has helped to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
However, there are still some challenges to labour mobility in Canada. One of the biggest challenges is the lack of harmonization between provincial and territorial regulatory bodies. Each province and territory has its own licensing requirements and standards, which can create confusion for workers and businesses that operate in multiple jurisdictions.
To address this challenge, the AIT has established a working group to develop a plan for harmonizing regulatory requirements across Canada. The working group is made up of representatives from each province and territory, as well as the federal government.
In conclusion, the Agreement on Internal Trade Labour Mobility is an important agreement that promotes the free movement of workers within Canada. It has helped to reduce barriers to labour mobility and has created opportunities for workers and businesses across the country. However, there is still work to be done to fully harmonize regulatory requirements across Canada, which would further facilitate the movement of workers and the growth of the Canadian economy.
