Who Can Work Where: Reducing Barriers to Labour Mobility in Canada

Abstract

Barriers to labour mobility in Canada remain a problem, even though Canadian governments have taken steps to reduce them. In the study, the author says Canada’s regulated professions and skilled trades, which represent about 11 percent of the workforce, face barriers to mobility that have negative implications for the country’s productivity, labour supply and future economic prospects. Like the rest of the world, Canada will face a labour crunch in the next 10 years. Unless Canada ensures that its professionals and skilled workers can work anywhere in the country, it could limit the ability to attract the people the economy needs.