Transition to B.C. relatively easy for engineers

British Columbia has become the first Canadian province to introduce full labour mobility to all trades and professions. Bill 9 was introduced into the B.C. Legislature on March 9. It will allow a person certified in any Canadian jurisdiction “to be recognized and to be able to practise their profession in any other Canadian jurisdiction.” Similar legislation is being enacted or revised in other provinces, following the national Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), but B.C. is the first to introduce legislation.

The proviso of the AIT is that the provincial legislation for regulated occupations such as doctors and engineers are still under the responsibility of each province.

For professional engineers who wish to work in B.C. the new Bill 9 rules won’t make much difference, says Gillian Pichler, at the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of B.C. She says that for engineers the transition from another province into B.C. is “almost seamless now.” The association’s licensing requirements are already harmonized with other jurisdictions across Canada, and usually a member in good standing from out of province can be licensed in B.C. within five business days.

If a professional engineer wants to change discipline, or if they have a criminal record or have been professionally disciplined, then the process would be more complex.