Latest news with #NewWestPartnershipTradeAgreement
Winnipeg Free Press
12 hours ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Relaxed nursing requirements jeopardize patient safety, Manitoba regulator warns health minister
The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba says the province is putting labour mobility and its support for interprovincial free trade ahead of patient safety and lives. Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara ordered the college to stop requiring that 'labour mobility applicants' — nurses recently licensed in other provinces who applied to nurse in Manitoba — must have 450 hours of nursing experience in Canada in the past two years or 1,225 hours in the past five years. The minister told the college in an April 30 letter that it was breaking internal trade laws, including the Canadian Free Trade Agreement and the New West Partnership Trade Agreement's labour mobility rules, and legislation requiring regulated professions to ensure their registration practices comply with obligations of a domestic trade agreement. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Deb Elias, of the College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba, centre, and Darlene Jackson, president of the Manitoba Nurses Union, right, want tighter restrictions on incoming nurses. Asagwara's letter said no jurisdictions in Canada have approved labour mobility exceptions for registered nurses, and directed the college to drop its 'currency of practice' requirement within 30 days. With no avenue to appeal the minister's order, the college spoke out Wednesday, saying patients are at risk and that two have died as the result of Manitoba not requiring labour mobility applicants recently licensed out of province to have current Canadian nursing experience. College registrar Deb Elias said she can't provide details of the two preventable deaths reported in November because those cases are going through the college's professional conduct process. One of the nurses surrendered their licence voluntarily and the other was suspended, the college confirmed. It said it has seen a significant increase in complaints about nursing incompetence linked to the labour mobility applicants, such as a lack of nursing knowledge, skill and judgment, the inability to take or interpret vital signs, perform a health assessment, safely administer medication or prioritize patient care. That occurred after the college was told by former Tory health minister Audrey Gordon in 2022 not to demand that out-of-province nurses have current hours of Canadian practice under their belt. 'We stopped that practice and then monitored it for a period of time,' Elias said. 'At the end of last year, 2024, we were very alarmed at the trend that we saw, with a substantial increase in complaints and the significant, gross nursing incompetence that we were seeing.' In 2023, the cohort accounted for 15 per cent of practice-related complaints despite representing a much smaller number of the total number of registered nurses. In 2024, the same group of nurses lacking current Canadian experience accounted for 50 per cent (27 of 54) of the complaints. In December, the college notified Asagwara that it was reverting back to its policy of requiring nurses have Canadian experience. Manitoba, which is dealing with a critical health-care staffing shortage is competing with other jurisdictions to recruit professionals. At the same time, it's also committed to interprovincial free trade and removing barriers to labour mobility throughout Canada in response to a trade war launched by the U.S. Asagwara did not respond to repeated requests for comment Wednesday. Elias said the college will keep talking to the health minister and the Health Department about its concerns and look for alternate solutions. 'We absolutely support labour mobility and welcome nurses and (nurse practitioners) from across the country. But we also want to uphold patient safety. That is our mandate. And we know that these two things can happen,' she said. 'What we're talking about here is, really, a group of nurses who've obtained registration elsewhere but haven't practised in recent years, so aren't up to date.'–Deb Elias 'What we're talking about here is, really, a group of nurses who've obtained registration elsewhere but haven't practised in recent years, so aren't up to date, and that we're working to resolve it. 'Once people are registered, they can work anywhere, and that is really part of our concern. The public should be concerned, but they should also know that the vast majority of registered nurses on our register have met all the standards, maintain currency and are required to do professional development.' Manitoba Nurses Union president Darlene Jackson said more nurses are desperately needed, but only if they're trained and can do the job. 'What I'm hearing from nurses is that this is absolutely unfair to these nurses that are coming in because they are not prepared properly for our health-care system,' Jackson said Wednesday. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. 'There's no ability for them to prepare properly because there's no way for the college to assess to see if they need that preparation.' She said the situation is difficult for for nurses working alongside the recent additions. 'You're not only doing your own job, but you are continuously trying to ensure that these nurses are supported and, through no fault of their own, doing what they need to be doing,' she said. 'I think it's in the best interest of the public to allow the college to do what they need to do to follow their mandate to ensure that Manitoba nurses, everyone practising in the Manitoba system as a nurse, is practising safely.' Carol SandersLegislature reporter Carol Sanders is a reporter at the Free Press legislature bureau. The former general assignment reporter and copy editor joined the paper in 1997. Read more about Carol. Every piece of reporting Carol produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
National Observer
3 days ago
- Business
- National Observer
Ontario reaches trade deals with Saskatchewan and Alberta ahead of meeting with Carney
Alberta and Saskatchewan signed agreements with Ontario on Sunday to remove trade barriers ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney to hash out a plan they hope will supercharge the economy. The memorandum of understanding between Saskatchewan and Ontario sees both provinces mutually recognize each other's goods, workers and investment, while a statement from the Alberta government says its MOU with Ontario aims to improve the free flow of goods and services between the two provinces. The Alberta statement also says the agreement will simplify requirements for regulated professions such as skilled trades, making it easier for professionals to work across provincial boundaries. Both deals, which were signed in Saskatoon ahead of a first ministers meeting in the city Monday, pledge to advance measures that would see willing provinces allow the sale of alcohol directly to consumers. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the deals help grow provincial economies as US President Donald Trump threatens more tariffs on Canadian steel. "We're going to band together," Ford said when talking about the agreement with Saskatchewan. "We've never been attacked by any leader in the world like we have by President Trump. He doesn't give two hoots about Canada." "(But) he's going to have a rude awakening. We're going to fight like we've never fought before." It's Ford's latest deals with provinces to open trade, measures he says could unlock $200 billion in economic gains. Alberta said its agreement with Ontario also welcomes the possibility of Ontario joining the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, which has worked to streamline regulations and standards across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. "It's time to stop letting outdated rules hold us back and show Canadians what real economic leadership looks like,' Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a news release Sunday. The premiers are meeting Monday with Carney to discuss major nation-building projects that could boost the economy. Ford said the prime minister needs to remove regulations to make it easier to build projects. That includes scrapping the Impact Assessment Act, he said. "It all depends on the speed right now (in getting projects built)," Ford said. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he's hoping for a port-to-port corridor in Western Canada to ship more goods out of northern BC and Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba. "It's the largest single opportunity that I've seen in my lifetime," Moe said. "All we need to do is come together, and then stand by side by side and defend the opportunities we have from a trade perspective. Defend them like hell." Building more oil and gas pipelines must be part of Canada's future, Moe added. "If we truly are going to become the strongest economy in the G7 nations, if we truly are going to become a global energy superpower, it means we need to open up the opportunity for all of our industries," Moe said. "I think (Carney) is aware that there's a feeling of alienation in certain areas of the nation." Both Alberta and Saskatchewan have long had grievances with former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who they say made it difficult for the industry to build energy projects. Smith has said more pipelines are the only way to get more products to market efficiently and without one, there could be a national unity crisis. She has called on Carney to scrap the oil and gas emissions cap and clean electricity regulations, repeal industrial carbon pricing and overhaul regulations. But getting a pipeline through Quebec might be difficult. The province had opposed the former Energy East oil pipeline from Alberta and rejected the GNL Quebec project in Saguenay in 2021. However, Quebec Premier François Legault said last month he's open to some projects. Ford said all provinces must be on the same page for any pipeline to move forward. "I hope (Legault) is going to bring a pipeline through," he said. "Last time I checked, Quebecers drive cars, they need gas."
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ontario inks trade deals with Saskatchewan and Alberta ahead of meeting with Carney
SASKATOON - Alberta and Saskatchewan signed agreements with Ontario on Sunday to remove trade barriers ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney to hash out a plan they hope will supercharge the economy. The memorandum of understanding between Saskatchewan and Ontario sees both provinces mutually recognize each other's goods, workers and investment, while a statement from the Alberta government says its MOU with Ontario aims to improve the free flow of goods and services between the two provinces. The Alberta statement also says the agreement will simplify requirements for regulated professions such as skilled trades, making it easier for professionals to work across provincial boundaries. Both deals, which were signed in Saskatoon ahead of a first ministers meeting in the city Monday, pledge to advance measures that would see willing provinces allow the sale of alcohol directly to consumers. Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the deals help grow provincial economies as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens more tariffs on Canadian steel. 'We're going to band together,' Ford said when talking about the agreement with Saskatchewan. 'We've never been attacked by any leader in the world like we have by President Trump. He doesn't give two hoots about Canada.' '(But) he's going to have a rude awakening. We're going to fight like we've never fought before.' It's Ford's latest deals with provinces to open trade, measures he says could unlock $200 billion in economic gains. Alberta said its agreement with Ontario also welcomes the possibility of Ontario joining the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, which has worked to streamline regulations and standards across British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. 'It's time to stop letting outdated rules hold us back and show Canadians what real economic leadership looks like,' Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said in a news release Sunday. The premiers are meeting Monday with Carney to discuss major nation-building projects that could boost the economy. Ford said the prime minister needs to remove regulations to make it easier to build projects. That includes scrapping the Impact Assessment Act, he said. 'It all depends on the speed right now (in getting projects built),' Ford said. Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said he's hoping for a port-to-port corridor in Western Canada to ship more goods out of northern B.C. and Hudson Bay in northern Manitoba. 'It's the largest single opportunity that I've seen in my lifetime,' Moe said. 'All we need to do is come together, and then stand by side by side and defend the opportunities we have from a trade perspective. Defend them like hell.' Building more oil and gas pipelines must be part of Canada's future, Moe added. 'If we truly are going to become the strongest economy in the G7 nations, if we truly are going to become a global energy superpower, it means we need to open up the opportunity for all of our industries,' Moe said. 'I think (Carney) is aware that there's a feeling of alienation in certain areas of the nation.' Both Alberta and Saskatchewan have long had grievances with former prime minister Justin Trudeau, who they say made it difficult for the industry to build energy projects. Smith has said more pipelines are the only way to get more products to market efficiently and without one, there could be a national unity crisis. She has called on Carney to scrap the oil and gas emissions cap and clean electricity regulations, repeal industrial carbon pricing and overhaul regulations. But getting a pipeline through Quebec might be difficult. The province had opposed the former Energy East oil pipeline from Alberta and rejected the GNL Quebec project in Saguenay in 2021. However, Quebec Premier François Legault said last month he's open to some projects. Ford said all provinces must be on the same page for any pipeline to move forward. 'I hope (Legault) is going to bring a pipeline through,' he said. 'Last time I checked, Quebecers drive cars, they need gas.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025.
CBC
07-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Manitoba distiller cautiously welcomes agreement to lift trade barriers
Brewers and distillers are cautiously optimistic as governments work to remove trade barriers that currently make it hard for alcohol produced in Manitoba to be sold elsewhere in Canada. Earlier this week, the federal government announced it's reached a major deal with most provinces to allow beer and spirits to flow more freely across the country. The governments are expected to have a framework for the deal done within weeks. The latest push to remove the administrative and regulatory burdens that hinder interprovincial trade has been spurred by the on-and-off threats of tariffs on Canadian goods exported to the U.S. Brock Coutts, co-owner of Patent 5 in Winnipeg, said he hopes this make it easy for the company to ship its product to bigger markets like Ontario, though he's wary. "Each of the provinces have a very convoluted bureaucracy with different rules," he told Information Radio. "For everyone to agree on that, I think would be a bit of a challenge." Manitoba is one of the provinces that stand to gain the most by removing the administrative and regulatory barriers that hinder trade, which, according to a 2019 International Monetary Fund report, would add $245 billion to the Canadian economy. The province is one of the most open to alcohol shipments, allowing residents to shop online for booze from other provinces without restrictions. The province is also a signatory of the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, which creates a single economic region with British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Perry Joyal, head brewer and operations manager at Torque Brewing, said their only market outside Manitoba is Saskatchewan. The brewer had previously looked into selling its product in Ontario, but bumped against high costs, including upfront fees to get listed by that province's liquor board. "They're actually kind of prohibitive. We would have to raise our prices to the point where they wouldn't be palatable to the consumer," Joyal said. "Then when you add in the additional cost of having to transport everything a province away as opposed to selling in town here in Winnipeg … it's always been a little bit too expensive for us." The governments have directed the committee in charge of implementing the Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) to developed a countrywide credential recognition plan by June 1. Tyler Dyck, president of the Canadian Craft Distillers Alliance and a vintner in B.C., said distillers and brewers essentially pay "greedy" liquor boards for shelf space. Dyck said the question is to what extent the deal will allow provinces to ship product straight to consumers in other provinces without any markup. The federal government said most first ministers committed to allowing direct-to-consumer sales. The CFTA's action plan calls for the expansion of sales channels for alcoholic beverages. Dyck said distillers in provinces that do not have incentives like agricultural rebates often can't really afford to make their own spirits, so they're forced to import. "All our government liquor stores … they're actually helping every other country's economy much more than they're helping ours, because quite frankly, they're putting them on display and allowing them to occupy 99 per cent of the shelf space," he said. Coutts said cutting the federal component of excise taxes would also help foster local growth. "I just wonder if there's a real strong desire of anyone right now in government to tackle a problem like that," he said.
CBC
06-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Will Trump's tariff threat finally spur action on dropping inter-provincial barriers?
Canada's premiers have talked about the need to break down inter-provincial trade barriers for years but the trade tariff threat from U.S. President Donald Trump may prompt them to finally take action. Trump's threat to impose a 10 per cent tariff on oil and gas, and a 25 per cent tariff on other Canadian exports to the United States is on hold for 30 days. Federal and provincial governments are using the delay to come up with a strategy both to avoid tariffs and to lessen Canada's dependence on trade with the U.S. by finding new trading partners and increasing trade within provinces. Gary Mar, a former Alberta cabinet minister who is president and CEO of the Canada West Foundation, said he's happy to see the renewed push to finally eliminate internal trade barriers. "I think it's good," he said. "I think that this would be perhaps one of the silver linings of the issues that we face vis-à-vis the United States." Federal Transport and Internal Trade Minister Anita Anand told reporters in Halifax earlier Wednesday that she believed inter-provincial trade barriers could disappear in 30 days based on the progress of meetings between her government and the provincial and territorial premiers. Alberta is a signatory of the New West Partnership Trade Agreement with B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba and the Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA)., The CFTA allows provinces to make exemptions to opt out of the rules for certain industries and products. Mar said he has heard more talk about ending inter-provincial trade barriers in the last two weeks than in the previous 20 years. "I think our relationship and trading with the United States has changed forever and I don't think it's ever going to go back to the way that it was," Mar said. "The risk of not doing the right thing on reducing internal trade barriers is a greater risk if we don't do it, than if we do." Talking to a wall Alberta has been involved in its share of inter-provincial trade battles. One of the more memorable spats was in 2018 when then-premier Rachel Notley stopped imports of wine from British Columbia in response to B.C.'s efforts to delay expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. The boycott ended within two weeks after John Horgan, the B.C. premier at the time, referred the pipeline issue to the courts. Jason Kenney said he tried to open up inter-provincial trade when he was premier of Alberta from 2019 to 2022. In 2019, Kenney unilaterally dropped 90 per cent of the trade exemptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. "I hoped other provinces would follow our lead," Kenney said in an interview with Radio-Canada on Wednesday. "Unfortunately, with the exception of some progress from Manitoba, the other provinces just ignored it and they didn't move forward." Kenney tried again in 2022 with a plan he presented to the Council of the Federation meeting that proposed recognizing each province's regulations, but he said again, no one was interested. "I felt like I was talking to the wall," Kenney said, adding that he isn't criticizing the other premiers. They were dealing with more top-of-mind problems like health-care wait times, fiscal problems and the transition out of COVID-19, he said. They weren't feeling any pressure from the public to do something about internal trade. "A boring, technical, deep structural issue like the lack of regulatory harmonization just doesn't grab their attention on a sustained basis," Kenney said.
