Status: Received royal assent June 28, 2019
Ministry responsible: Labour and Immigration

Overview

The Fair Registration Practices Act will help speed up the process of newcomers getting their credentials recognized so they can work in the careers they trained for.

By reducing red tape and removing barriers, it will help newcomers get family-supporting jobs that contribute to Alberta’s economy.

Many newcomers are underemployed and unable to practice their skills because licensing procedures can be needlessly complex and can take years. Speeding up this process will maintain Alberta’s high professional standards, while getting Albertans back to work and reigniting our economy.

According to the Conference Board of Canada, Canadians would earn up to $17 billion more each year if their learning credentials were fully recognized. Provinces such as Ontario, Manitoba and Nova Scotia already have similar legislation in place.

Key changes

The act will:

  • provide the authority to create a Fairness for Newcomers Office
  • reduce the red tape associated with the assessment of foreign credentials
  • work with regulators to ensure registration practices are transparent, objective, impartial and fair
  • maintain Alberta’s high professional standards

Regulatory bodies will be required to:

  • assess applications and communicate assessment decisions within specific timeframes for interim registration decisions and within reasonable timeframes for final registration decisions
  • submit reports regarding fair registration practices to the Minister of the act

Next steps

The act will come into force on proclamation.

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