May 28, 2025
Labour Market Ministers taking action to improve labour mobility in Canada
Federal, provincial and territorial Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) met virtually on Monday to discuss progress on their joint commitment to breaking down barriers to labour mobility as one of the strategies to mitigate the negative effects of tariffs and unlock the full economic potential of free trade within Canada. The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Federal Minister of Jobs and Families and the Honourable Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration of Nova Scotia.
Over recent months, the FLMM has accelerated efforts to address labour mobility barriers, strengthen Canada’s workforce and get individuals working faster. Ministers agreed that concrete progress has been made on labour mobility, with some jurisdictions having introduced legislation with more ambitious timelines and launched new initiatives to further break down barriers and reduce administrative burden.
Ministers agreed on the actions to be taken by governments to build a more resilient, adaptable and mobile workforce to support stronger domestic economic growth.
This aligns with a commitment made to the First Ministers earlier this year, to collaborate with the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) on developing a plan for Canada-wide credential recognition that takes into account the unique characteristics of each jurisdiction, such as language provisions, by June 1, 2025. Ministers look forward to providing the CIT with an update on their action plan for labour mobility.
Ministers discussed the value of conducting consultations to determine the best approach while continuing to explore additional opportunities to bolster economic growth, productivity and support for workers. Ministers also discussed possible collaboration with other ministerial tables to tackle areas linked to labour mobility, such as occupational health and safety training and licensing.
Ministers committed to continued information sharing across orders of government and to meet regularly as part of their focused efforts to build a resilient Canadian workforce and economy.
Finally, Ministers reiterated the vital role of Labour Market Transfer Agreements (LMTAs), which empower the provinces and territories to deliver tailored employment assistance and reskilling services that respond to the unique needs of their respective labour markets. Provincial and territorial ministers reaffirmed their position on the need for additional LMTA funding to support workers in Canada and ensure effective tariff-related responses at this critical time.
The federal minister committed to further discussions with provincial and territorial ministers on LMTA modernization.
About the Forum
The FLMM was established in 1983 as an intergovernmental forum aimed at strengthening cooperation on federal, provincial and territorial labour market priorities.
Quotes
“To build one Canadian economy, we need to make it easier for workers in every province and territory to find good jobs. Canada’s labour market ministers agree. We can do more and faster—and today, we set out to do that together.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Federal Minister of Jobs and Families, and Co-Chair of the FLMM
“By strengthening labour mobility and breaking down barriers to credential recognition, we can help Canadians get to work faster—no matter where their skills are needed. This kind of collaboration is key to building a more resilient workforce and supporting long-term prosperity across the country.”
– Honourable Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration of Nova Scotia and Co-Chair of the FLMM
February 26, 2025
Labour Market Ministers Prepare to Respond to Potential Tariff Impacts
The Forum of Labour Market Ministers met virtually yesterday for discussions as all governments prepare an appropriate response to mitigate the impacts of potential U.S. tariffs on the workforce.
This meeting followed previous ministerial discussions on January 31, 2025, when Ministers explored possible solutions to address labour market issues in Canada resulting from the threat of U.S. tariffs. At that time, Ministers also discussed what federal, provincial and territorial governments could put in place to actively contribute to strengthening Canada’s workforce and economy.
April 23, 2024
Provincial and Territorial Labour Market Ministers Call on Federal Government to Reinstate the $625 million in Labour Market Transfer Funds Cut in Budget 2024.
Provincial and Territorial labour market ministers call the federal decision to cut $625 million from labour market transfers extremely disappointing and warn of the damaging implications it will have on Canadian workers and their families. Amidst a national labour shortage, this cut rolls skills and employment training funding back to pre-2017 levels and will have lasting impacts on Canada’s economic competitiveness.
January 16, 2024
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Labour Market Ministers meet in Winnipeg to discuss ongoing priorities to support Canadians
Federal, Provincial and Territorial labour market Ministers met in Winnipeg today to discuss a wide range of priorities concerning Canada’s labour market, including the changing labour market outlook, the importance of renewed collaboration on Labour Market Transfer Agreements (LMTAs), improving labour market mobility and credential recognition, and innovation and developments in supports that strengthen the workforce in all jurisdictions. The Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and the Honourable Jamie Moses, Manitoba Minister of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources.
Click here to view our archives to see releases from past years.
Federal, provincial and territorial labour market Ministers actively engage in the FLMM and meet, whenever needed, to address common labour market matters.
February 26, 2025
Labour Market Ministers Prepare to Respond to Potential Tariff Impacts
The Forum of Labour Market Ministers met virtually yesterday for discussions as all governments prepare an appropriate response to mitigate the impacts of potential U.S. tariffs on the workforce.
This meeting followed previous ministerial discussions on January 31, 2025, when Ministers explored possible solutions to address labour market issues in Canada resulting from the threat of U.S. tariffs. At that time, Ministers also discussed what federal, provincial and territorial governments could put in place to actively contribute to strengthening Canada’s workforce and economy.
April 23, 2024
Provincial and Territorial Labour Market Ministers Call on Federal Government to Reinstate the $625 million in Labour Market Transfer Funds Cut in Budget 2024.
Provincial and Territorial labour market ministers call the federal decision to cut $625 million from labour market transfers extremely disappointing and warn of the damaging implications it will have on Canadian workers and their families. Amidst a national labour shortage, this cut rolls skills and employment training funding back to pre-2017 levels and will have lasting impacts on Canada’s economic competitiveness.
January 16, 2024
Federal, Provincial and Territorial Labour Market Ministers meet in Winnipeg to discuss ongoing priorities to support Canadians
Federal, Provincial and Territorial labour market Ministers met in Winnipeg today to discuss a wide range of priorities concerning Canada’s labour market, including the changing labour market outlook, the importance of renewed collaboration on Labour Market Transfer Agreements (LMTAs), improving labour market mobility and credential recognition, and innovation and developments in supports that strengthen the workforce in all jurisdictions. The Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM) meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Federal Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages and the Honourable Jamie Moses, Manitoba Minister of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources.
Click here to view our archives to see releases from past years.
