P.E.I. bill to reduce trade barriers passes 2nd reading despite opposition complaints

A Prince Edward Island government bill meant to reduce trade barriers and improve labour mobility in the province passed second reading in the legislature Tuesday.

The Interprovincial Trade and Mobility Act mirrors a similar law enacted in Nova Scotia. Another version of the bill has been introduced in the Ontario legislature.

The intent is to have various Canadian provinces enact reciprocal legislation to recognize one another's trade regulations and professional designations.

But P.E.I.'s legislation got a rough ride from opposition parties Tuesday, based on concerns raised during government consultations with professional associations, and even between government departments.

The head of the province's Financial and Consumer Services division urged his colleagues to take their time with the bill so that they could learn from feedback to legislation put forward in other provinces.

The P.E.I. Veterinary Medical Association raised concerns the legislation would leave the group with no ability to provide oversight or "impose restrictions or suspensions against veterinarians from reciprocating jurisdictions, no matter how egregious the offence."

Premier Rob Lantz addressed those concerns during Question Period Tuesday.

"In Nova Scotia, when this similar legislation was tabled, veterinarians also had concerns," he told the house. That led to amendments to the Nova Scotia legislation which are also reflected in P.E.I.'s version, Lantz said.

As a result, he said "veterinarians, like anyone else, would be required to register with the governing body in Prince Edward Island. We've addressed the concerns. We appreciate the feedback."

Lantz also tried to re-frame comments he made last week regarding concerns that the new trade bill could be used as way to get around P.E.I.'s limits on non-resident land ownership under the Lands Protection Act.

At the time, the premier said that if necessary, he would invoke the Canadian constitution's notwithstanding clause to maintain those limits, which requires non-residents to seek cabinet approval to buy more than 5 acres of land in the province.

"I was simply trying to state the fact that this government is completely committed to the protection of the Lands Protection Act P.E.I., a unique piece of legislation to Prince Edward Island that we would defend in any way we possibly could, under any circumstances," Lantz said Tuesday.

'Inapplicable legal tool'

Green MLA Matt MacFarlane said the clause that allows provinces to bypass the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms wouldn't apply to P.E.I.'s trade law.

"The only reason the premier is floating this inapplicable legal tool is because he and his government are ramming through legislation that has simply not been well thought out," he said.

While eventually the legislation is expected to reduce barriers to the flow of goods between provinces, to start with, Lantz said, the focus is on improving labour mobility.

During consultations, professional associations representing psychologists, teachers, engineers, social workers, chartered professional accountants and land surveyors all argued they should be exempt from the new law.

Health professions covered under P.E.I.'s Registered Health Professions Act are exempt, as are lawyers. Further exemptions can be introduced through regulations which have yet to be developed.

The Liberals and Greens introduced a joint motion to have the bill sent to committee for further review.

Lantz has said he wants the law to be in place by July 1, the date Prime Minister Mark Carney set to have freer trade between the provinces and territories after he met with first ministers in March.