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March 6, 1998
(Executive Council)

Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec reach Agreement on Labour Mobility

Premier Brian Tobin announced today that Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec have reached an agreement which will ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador residents have full and fair access to employment opportunities in Quebec, as Quebecers presently enjoy in this province.

The deal, entitled Newfoundland and Labrador-Quebec Agreement on Labour Mobility and Recognition of Qualifications, Skills and Work Experience in the Construction Industry, opens up the construction labour market, and creates a balanced and comparable regulatory environment between the two provinces.

"The agreement recognizes the qualifications, skills and work experience of construction workers and contractors in both Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec," said the premier. "More importantly, it creates a level playing field which will allow Newfoundland and Labrador companies and workers to have comparable access to Quebec, as Quebecers currently have our province."

Under the agreement, workers may work in any region of Quebec. "This is something the people of this province, especially Labrador West, have been wanting for some time," said the premier.

Quebec construction labour law divides that province into regions, giving residents in each region preference in construction and related employment in their home area. Until now, these residency regulations have restricted employment for residents of this province in Quebec. Residents of Labrador West, for example, have been restricted in working for the Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway, as well as in Quebec mines and construction projects adjacent to Labrador. There have never been any restrictions on Quebec residents who wish to work in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"This agreement represents a positive move to open up trade between the province and to create new opportunities for Newfoundland and Labrador workers and suppliers," said Premier Tobin.

The two provinces also agreed to work together to recognize other construction trades, such as iron workers and rebar workers, which are not presently covered in the agreement. Individuals wishing to work in the Quebec construction industry would be required to register with the Commission de la Construction du Quebec (CCQ) who would grant them a "card" allowing them to work in that province. A similar process is in place for contractors through the Regie du Batiment du Quebec (RBQ).

The agreement also allows the provinces to recognize the equivalencies of Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec occupational health and safety training programs. A dispute settlement mechanism is also in place. Technical discussions will continue in the meantime with industry stakeholders to achieve a longer term agreement.

Government will continue a dialogue with business labour to define any other significant issues that need to be resolved.

For more information about the labour mobility provisions of today's agreement, members of the public can contact Barry Roberts, Department of Education at (709) 729-2350 or Jean Smith, Environment and Labour, (709) 729-2703.

Contact:

Heidi Bonnell, Premier Office, (709) 729-3564.

Karen McCarthy, Executive Council, (709) 729-0110.

1998 03 06 11:30 a.m.

 

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