National

B.C. to remove barriers for internationally trained professionals: premier

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 23 Oct, 2023 12:09 PM

The British Columbia government has introduced legislation that is expected to add skilled workers into the labour force more quickly by reducing barriers for internationally trained professionals.

Premier David Eby says B.C. cannot leave people with skills and experience on the sidelines, given labour shortages the province is facing now and in the coming years.

He says the legislation would require regulatory bodies to remove "unfair barriers" for 29 different professions, including veterinarians, lawyers, teachers, paramedics, early childhood educators, architects, natural resource professionals and others.

With new legislation introduced today, we're making it easier for internationally trained skilled people to work in BC. More people will now be able to work in 29 in-demand sectors, and British Columbians can benefit from having more professionals at work. https://t.co/4a0uOZvROe pic.twitter.com/d0yZbvYuNX
— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) October 23, 2023

So great to see Shelly D'Mello from the @ICAVictoria this morning as part of our announcement on new legislation to better and more quickly recognize foreign credentialed workers.

Thank you Premier @Dave_Eby and Ministers @AndrewMercierBC and @selinarobinson!#bcpoli #yyj pic.twitter.com/43IRtoxUKm
— Grace Lore (@GraceALore) October 23, 2023

Eby says the act introduced in the legislature today builds on work the B.C. government has been doing to support internationally trained health-care workers.

Andrew Mercier, the minister of state for workforce development, says international professionals face unnecessary barriers, such as redundant language testing and a "catch-22" requirement for work experience in Canada prior to getting accreditation.

#ICYMI Premier @Dave_Eby introduces the international credentials recognition act which will properly value international work experience & eliminate the catch-22 of requiring Canadian work experience prior to being accredited in Canada.
Proud to see BC moving ahead on this. https://t.co/574o7eIFKv
— George Heyman (@GeorgeHeyman) October 23, 2023

He says the new law would remove those requirements and enhance transparency by mandating regulators to share details on their assessment processes.

If passed, Mercier says the legislation would also create a new superintendent responsible for promoting fair credential recognition and enforcing compliance.

The act would be set to take effect next summer.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

No illicit drugs in parks

The B-C government's drug decriminalization policy has changed to make it illegal to possess illicit drugs near playgrounds, water parks and skate parks. The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions says the change is intended to keep drugs and drug users away from what it calls "child-focused spaces," adding to the existing list of excluded spaces that includes schools and childcare facilities.

No illicit drugs in parks

B.C. to end state of emergency as wildfire risk winds down

The British Columbia government says it is ending the state of emergency imposed last month when thousands of residents were chased out of their homes by wildfires. The government says in a statement the wildfire risk is diminishing in much of the province as temperatures cool, allowing most residents to return home.

B.C. to end state of emergency as wildfire risk winds down

DNA match in Ibrahim Ali murder case as exact as identical twins, B.C. court is told

An RCMP expert testifying at Ibrahim Ali's murder trial told the court she has never seen a DNA match as close as the one between the suspect and samples found on his alleged victim — except for DNA matches between identical twins. Forensic biologist Christine Crossman said police investigators were very thorough in their collection and testing of genetic samples from the body of the 13-year-old girl, whose identity is protected by a publication ban.

DNA match in Ibrahim Ali murder case as exact as identical twins, B.C. court is told

Ex-B.C. police chief to investigate release of suspect before Chinatown stabbing

Former Abbotsford police chief Bob Rich has been appointed to look into the release of a man from British Columbia's psychiatric hospital before the man allegedly stabbed three people in Vancouver's Chinatown. Premier David Eby said Thursday that he has read the BC Review Board report on the accused and wants Rich to determine how the man could have been released, despite being a "really significant danger to the public."

Ex-B.C. police chief to investigate release of suspect before Chinatown stabbing

Federal government will remove GST on new rental housing builds, senior source says

A senior government source says Ottawa is planning to remove the G-S-T on construction of new rental apartment buildings. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to make the announcement today as he wraps up a three-day Liberal caucus retreat in London, Ontario.

Federal government will remove GST on new rental housing builds, senior source says

B.C. Sikh referendum will ask if Indian diplomat was responsible for Nijjar killing

The group Sikhs for Justice, which has been staging a series of non-binding votes in several countries on the independence issue, says the first stage of balloting in B.C. on Sunday attracted more than 135,000 voters. It says the second stage will be held on Oct. 29 and will add a second question about whether High Commissioner Sanjay Verma was responsible for the "assassination" of Hardeep Singh Nijjar.