May 7, 2008

Regulation

Alberta government gives British Columbia trade bill second reading

RICHARD GILBERT

staff writer

The government of Alberta is in the process of passing legislation that removes trade barriers with B.C. and promises to create opportunities for small businesses, skilled workers and their families.

The Alberta government led by Premier Ed Stelmach introduced Bill 1 on April 15. The legislation, which has gone through second reading, aims to provide the foundation for the full implementation of the Trade Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA).

The agreement will eliminate barriers facing skilled professionals or trades people, when they choose to pursue career opportunities in B.C. or Alberta. It also reduces costs and duplication of registration requirements for Alberta and B.C. businesses looking to expand across provincial borders.

“There are three main aspects of Bill 1. The first is the reconciliation of corporate registration,” said Mike Deising, spokesperson with the Ministry of International and Intergovernmental Relations.

“An Alberta company that registers to do business in Alberta can register to do business in B.C. if they choose. They will only have to produce one annual report.”

“Bill 1 also reviews certain corporate presence requirements. Currently, a business must have a head office and employees in Alberta to operate in Alberta,” Deising said. “Businesses will no longer need a head office in Alberta. However, they will be required to have people on the ground in Alberta if they need to respond to an emergency.”

This means that Bill 1 provides authority for Alberta to waive corporate presence requirements when regulators in both provinces agree to equivalent, high standards.

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