Concerned agreement could result in reduced labour standards across participating provinces
The New Brunswick Federation of Labour (NBFL) is urging the provincial government to ensure that worker protections are not compromised in the final stages of negotiations for a new interprovincial trade agreement.
The NBFL is raising concerns that, without strong safeguards, the agreement could result in reduced labour standards across participating provinces. Interim NBFL President Chris Watson stated that any deal must go beyond minimum employment standards to prevent a “race to the bottom” on issues such as health and safety,” according to a Country 94 report.
“We just need to make sure that we are doing more than the minimum standards,” said Watson. “It would just be a race to the bottom if we don’t make sure that we’re keeping ourselves at the highest standard possible.”
Recently, in a move to tackle interprovincial trade barriers, the governments of New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) aimed at enhancing free trade and labour mobility.
The proposed agreement is intended to ease restrictions on the movement of workers, but the federation warns that this flexibility must not come at the expense of workplace protections.
The NBFL is calling on Premier Susan Holt’s government to establish a worker-focused committee to guide the agreement’s development. As reported by Country 94, the federation is advocating for inclusive representation on the committee from labour unions, Indigenous communities, and businesses to ensure that the agreement is both fair and sustainable.
In addition to concerns about safety standards, the NBFL has flagged the need for the agreement to address long-term job creation rather than simply facilitate the shifting of workers between provinces. “We need real solutions that create good jobs and support the economy,” said Watson.
Watson also pointed to the Day of Mourning as a reminder of the risks workers face daily and stressed the need for robust planning to protect their well-being over the long term.
“We can make sure that this is something that we do for years to come, not just for the short four-year possible duration of the US president,” he added.
New Brunswick has already entered into a bilateral agreement with Ontario to facilitate trade and labour mobility. However, with a broader interprovincial agreement nearing completion, the NBFL is urging the government to act quickly to embed strong worker protections and consult relevant stakeholders.
The NBFL is encouraging the province to take a proactive approach to ensure that the agreement promotes economic development without undermining the safety, rights, and job security of Canadian workers, according to the report.
Previously, the New Brunswick government introduced amendments to the Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act that would allow workers in regulated fields to begin employment while awaiting full registration — a move aimed at speeding up credential recognition and addressing labour shortages.
Nova Scotia has also introduced the Free Trade and Mobility within Canada Act which, the provincial government says, will help remove barriers to trade and investment between the province and other Canadian provinces and territories that reciprocate.
Earlier, Anita Anand, Canada’s minister of transport and internal trade, announced the upcoming removal of an additional 20 federal exceptions in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), reducing the number of federal exceptions from 39 to 19.
In the face of the US tariffs threat, Anand and her provincial and territorial counterparts have been discussing possible moves to eliminate regulatory barriers to internal trade, encourage free movement of labour and further standardize regulations across Canada.
