Burnaby Board of Trade Praises Positive Step Forward on Foreign Credential Recognition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BURNABY, B.C., October 23, 2023 – After years of advocacy efforts, the Burnaby Board of Trade — one of the province’s largest chambers of commerce/boards of trade — is applauding the introduction of the International Credentials Recognition Act by the provincial government today and its focus on accelerating the recognition of internationally credentials.

The Burnaby Board of Trade has been the leading chamber of commerce voice on this issue for many years, recognizing the negative impact it was having on labour force development. Working through its Pacific Gateway Committee, the Burnaby Board of Trade has been advocating for an expedited, efficient process that quickly recognizes the foreign credentials of recent immigrants. In 2020, the Burnaby Board of Trade’s policy on expanding and expediting foreign credential recognition was endorsed and adopted by the BC Chamber of Commerce as a formal provincial position.

“Foreign credential recognition is critical for inclusive economic growth,” says Paul Holden, President & CEO of the Burnaby Board of Trade. “For too long, communities like Burnaby have been filled with talented professionals who have been unable to fulfill their potential because of a time-consuming, expensive and confusing credentialing process. After many years of working on this, we’re very happy to see this move by the Province.”

The provincial government’s Labour Market Outlook shows that BC businesses will rely on newcomers for their future labour force, with immigrants expected to fill nearly 38% of future job openings. BC is also expected to have over one million job vacancies between 2022 and 2023, which can not be filled by Canadians alone. The new International Credentials Recognition Act will seek to enhance fairness and increase the efficiency and transparency of the recognition of international credentials.

The Burnaby Board of Trade recognizes that Bill 38 does not extend to healthcare and trades professionals which are desperately needed in every community. As a result, the Burnaby Board of Trade will continue to advocate for the provincial government and professional regulatory bodies to address the significant credentialing barriers faced by professionals in these sectors.

Read the BC Government announcement here.