Ontario Labour Mobility Act
From outside Ontario and wish to join the College of Early Childhood Educators?
More Labour Mobility for Canadian ECEs
The Ontario Labour Mobility Act, 2009 (OLMA) received Royal Assent on December 15, 2009 and is now in force. The purpose of the OLMA is to eliminate or reduce measures that restrict the ability of an individual to obtain a Certificate of Registration in Ontario when the individual is already certified in the same occupation by a regulatory authority of another Canadian province or territory.
What is the OLMA?
The OLMA was introduced by the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities on May 5, 2009 in order to support the Ontario government’s ability to comply with amendments to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (previously CFTA (AIT)).
(CFTA (AIT)) made by the federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Amendments to the CFTA (AIT) were endorsed by Canada’s premiers in January 2009 as a commitment by all provinces and territories to improve labour mobility for certified workers in professions and trades.
The OLMA establishes a Labour Mobility Code that governs how Ontario regulators, including the College of Early Childhood Educators (the College), support mobility for out-of-province workers who are already certified by a regulatory authority in the same occupation. The Labour Mobility Code applies to applications to the College received on or after the day on which the OLMA came into force or to any application where a final decision has not been made by that date, December 15, 2009.
The Labour Mobility Code ensures that workers who are certified to practise by a regulatory authority in one province or territory will be able to be certified in the same occupation in Ontario without having to complete additional material training, experience, examinations or assessments.
Now that the OLMA is in force, it overrides provisions in any other Act, regulation or by-law that conflict with the Labour Mobility Code.
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What does it mean for the College of Early Childhood Educators?
The College has changed its registration process for applicants who are already certified in the same occupation by a regulatory authority of another Canadian province or territory. The College will not require these applicants to undergo additional material training, experience, examinations or assessments. These applicants will be required to meet certain requirements for registration such as payment of an application fee, providing evidence of good character and providing evidence from the regulatory authority of the province or territory in which the applicant is certified that the licence or certificate is in good standing.
The College may refuse to register an applicant certified by a regulatory authority of another province or territory or may impose terms, conditions or limitations on the applicant’s Certificate of Registration under certain circumstances set out in the Labour Mobility Code. For example, these measures can be taken if, in the College’s opinion, such action is necessary to protect the public interest as a result of complaints or criminal, disciplinary or other proceedings against the individual in any jurisdiction, whether in or outside Canada, relating to the individual’s competency, conduct or character.
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What does it mean for applicants to the College who are certified by a regulatory authority of another province or territory?
If you hold a licence or certificate granted by a regulatory authority of another Canadian province or territory that is considered a match to the Certificate of Registration issued by the College, you are able to apply for registration with the College and will not be required to complete additional material training, experience, examinations or assessments. All other standard requirements of registration still apply.
The following list sets out the licences or certificates, granted by a regulatory authority of the provinces or territories indicated below, which are considered a match to the Certificate of Registration issued by the College:
- Alberta: Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor)
- British Columbia: Infant Toddler Educator or Special Needs Educator
- Saskatchewan: Early Childhood Educator Level III (under review)
- Manitoba: Early Childhood Educator Level II or III
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Child Care Services Levels 2, 3, 4
- Nova Scotia: Level 2 Classification (based on Diploma) or Level 3 Classification
- Prince Edward Island: Early Childhood Educator
- Yukon Territory: Child Care Worker Level III
What does it mean for members of the College of Early Childhood Educators?
If you are already registered as a member of the College, your status and process for renewing your membership are not affected by the OLMA.
The Certificate of Registration issued to you by the College will make it easier for you to be certified in another Canadian province or territory without having to complete additional material training, experience, examinations or assessments. This would make it easier for you to relocate to another province or territory in Canada.
Applying to the College
If you hold a licence or certificate granted by a regulatory authority of one of the provinces or territories indicated below, you are not required to provide evidence regarding the educational qualification component of the application process for membership in the College:
- Alberta: Level 3 Early Childhood Educator (formerly Child Development Supervisor)
- British Columbia: Infant Toddler Educator or Special Needs Educator
- Saskatchewan: Early Childhood Educator Level III (under review)
- Manitoba: Early Childhood Educator Level II or III
- Newfoundland and Labrador: Child Care Services Levels 2, 3, 4
- Nova Scotia: Level 2 Classification (based on Diploma) or Level 3 Classification
- Prince Edward Island: Early Childhood Educator
- Yukon Territory: Child Care Worker Level III
Your licence or certificate must be valid.