PEI Tables Bill Aimed to Eliminate Trade and Labour Barriers
April 13, 2025
Hon. Rob Lantz, Premier of Prince Edward Island, introduced the Interprovincial Trade & Mobility Act in the provincial legislature. This bill will allow Prince Edward Island to eliminate unnecessary barriers to trade and labour mobility with reciprocating jurisdictions.
The Bill will accept provincial inspections and standards on goods coming from a reciprocating jurisdiction. In addition, the Bill requires expedited licensing and certification for regulated professions and occupations for individuals coming from reciprocating jurisdictions by relying on due diligence done by regulatory authorities in the other jurisdiction and sets the expectation of regulatory bodies to meet a 10-business day turnaround time.
PEI anticipates the first reciprocating jurisdiction will be Nova Scotia which passed similar legislation earlier this year.
The Bill received first reading today and will be debated in the coming days. Regulations for the bill will be developed in consultation with industry and sectors.
Background:
- The Interprovincial Trade & Mobility Act will not apply to goods and workers coming from non-reciprocating jurisdictions which will protect PEI from being put in an unfair position; the bill will only apply to jurisdictions who will reciprocate.
- The Act will not apply to regulated health professionals or lawyers; both follow separate legislation and will be exempt from the Act.
- Through regulation, other occupations could be exempt if it could be demonstrated that there are significant differences in scope, education or training requirements, or provincial practices.
- The Act does not override federal jurisdictions or rules in other provinces unless the other jurisdiction reciprocates with Prince Edward Island.
