Maple News reports that Manitoba is proposing key legislative changes aimed at accelerating the recognition of international credentials, making it easier for internationally educated professionals to contribute to the province’s workforce sooner.
On November 2, Ralph Eichler, Minister of Economic Development and Training, announced amendments to the Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act. Initially passed in 2009, this legislation was designed to ensure fairness and transparency for internationally trained individuals seeking registration in Manitoba’s regulated professions.
“Our goal is to remove barriers so qualified, internationally educated applicants can practice their professions in Manitoba sooner,” said Eichler. “We recognize the immense value these newcomers bring and want to ensure they can participate in our economy more quickly.”
The proposed amendments aim to establish standardized timelines for registration and assessments, ensuring that credential recognition does not face unnecessary delays. Importantly, the revisions require that all registration requirements be clearly necessary for professional practice, helping to eliminate superfluous or outdated procedures.
Regulators will also be expected to actively collaborate with post-secondary institutions and employers to provide bridging pathways for internationally trained individuals. This means applicants will receive better support in upskilling or addressing specific practice gaps.
Additionally, the legislation will grant the Minister new authority to enforce compliance, bringing Manitoba in line with provinces like Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec, which have already implemented similar fairness laws.
Another crucial component of the reform is alignment with domestic trade agreements, including the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and New West Partnership. Regulatory bodies will be mandated to fully comply with these agreements to prevent non-compliance issues.
The province also plans to streamline the administration of the Act by appointing a dedicated director and support staff to monitor and oversee registration practices. Furthermore, regulators will be obligated to inform the director of any planned changes to assessment and registration processes before implementation, ensuring new measures don’t create unintended barriers.
These amendments are part of Manitoba’s broader effort to enhance workforce integration for immigrants and fulfill election commitments aimed at improving regulatory practices.
With these changes, Manitoba is taking a major step toward building a more inclusive and economically agile province by unlocking the full potential of its globally trained residents.