Executive Council
Advanced Education and Skills
July 16, 2015

Supporting our Workforce

Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and British Columbia Sign Agreement in Principle to Enhance Mobility for Skilled Workers

The Honourable Paul Davis Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia, today signed an agreement in principle to enhance workforce cooperation and mobility of skilled workers between both provinces. The announcement was made at the meeting of the Council of the Federation in St. John�s.

�The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador supports a national vision for our country�s evolving economy. A mobile workforce plays an important role in this vision, and this type of partnership is a building block of our Population Growth Strategy. It is important for us to work cooperatively with other jurisdictions to ensure the availability of a skilled competitive labour force, reduce barriers to apprenticeship mobility and ultimately leverage employment and training opportunities for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and British Columbians.�
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

Both provinces remain committed to a long-term partnership to address demographic challenges and skills shortages that impact the ability to meet labour market needs.

�This agreement will make it easier for skilled workers in Canada to find work in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Removing barriers to labour mobility will play a key part in efforts to make it easier for Canadians to find good, well-paying jobs while supporting the successful economies of both provinces. Skilled workers get access to more job opportunities while employers gain a wider selection of candidates.�
- The Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia

British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador acknowledge that cooperation on workforce development and the mobility of skilled people are necessary to support the economies of both provinces. This agreement supports efforts to put Canadians first in line for jobs and make it easier for skilled workers to find work across jurisdictions.

The agreement in principle will work towards addressing the following priorities:

• Improve sharing of labour market information between British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador to facilitate coordinated workforce deployment;
• Actively facilitate workforce mobility between British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador employers; and,
• Accelerate certification of British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador apprentices in their trade through employment in British Columbia or Newfoundland and Labrador.

Live Here, Work Here, Belong Here, A Population Growth Strategy for Newfoundland and Labrador, 2015-2025 is the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s 10-year plan to support individuals and families. The strategy will ensure investments and programs are aligned to encourage individuals to choose Newfoundland and Labrador to live, work and raise a family. The Population Growth Strategy is supported by four action plans covering the main elements of population growth � workforce, families, communities and immigration. For more information, visit www.gov.nl.ca/populationgrowth/.

QUICK FACTS

• The Honourable Paul Davis Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Christy Clark, Premier of British Columbia, today signed an agreement in principle to enhance workforce cooperation and mobility of skilled workers between both provinces.
• This agreement will make it easier for skilled workers in Canada to find work in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Both provinces remain committed to a long-term partnership to address demographic challenges and skills shortages that impact the ability to meet labour market needs.
• British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador acknowledge that cooperation on workforce development and the mobility of skilled people are necessary to support the economies of both provinces.
• This partnership supports the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador�s Population Growth Strategy. For more information, visit www.gov.nl.ca/populationgrowth/.

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Media contacts:

Heather MacLean Director of Communications Office of the Premier Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca	Ben Chin Executive Director Communications and Issues Mgmt. Office of Premier Christy Clark 250-588-3133
John Tompkins Director of Communications Department of Advanced Education and Skills 709-729-0753, 728-7762 jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2015 07 16                              4:55 p.m.