Canada moves to reduce internal trade and labour mobility barriers

Canadian internal trade ministers met in Iqaluit to advance efforts toward creating a more integrated national market by reducing regulatory barriers and improving labour mobility. Key outcomes include a commitment to accelerate work on model mutual-recognition legislation, which would require provinces and territories to recognize each other’s professional and trade credentials, including Red Seal trades and healthcare professions.

Governments have established a 30-day service standard for labour-mobility applications to assist qualified workers in moving between jurisdictions. The target for reaching an agreement on model mutual-recognition legislation is the fall of 2026, while further mutual recognition of services is aimed for December 2026.

Business groups, including the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, have welcomed these specific, dated commitments. The push for increased domestic economic integration follows the suspension of trade talks with the United States.