Labour Mobility Act Prompts Changes to Engineers and Geoscientists Act
Pursuant to the National Agreement on Internal Trade, the BC Labour Mobility Act (Bill 11 – 2009), was passed by the Legislative Assembly on October 20, 2009, and came into force effective October 29, 2009. The full text of the Labour Mobility Act can be viewed here.
Section 14 of the Labour Mobility Act amends the Engineers and Geoscientists Act in several respects. The amendments require the council of APEGBC to register a person who is registered as a professional engineer or geoscientist in another Canadian jurisdiction and eligible to work in the province, provided he or she meets the other requirements under the Engineers and Geoscientists Act.
These amendments bring the Engineers and Geoscientists Act into line with the requirements of the Labour Mobility Act, which is applicable to all professional and occupational associations that establish and administer criteria for admission and certification of members. Other professional and occupational legislation was amended by the BC government as appropriate to ensure that the Acts present no barriers to full labour mobility, but all regulatory authorities as defined in the Act are required to comply with the Labour Mobility Act’s terms.
A consolidated version of the Engineers and Geoscientists Act that reflects this recent amendment is expected to be posted on APEGBC’s website and on the following website within 7 to 14 days: www.bclaws.ca/default.html.