Labour Mobility in Canada
Teacher Mobility in Canada – Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
The Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) came into effect July 1, 1995 and was established to provide a framework to reduce and eliminate barriers to the inter-provincial movement of goods, services, labour and investment, and to bring about more open and stable domestic trade within Canada. Chapter 7 of the agreement addresses labour mobility.
On July 18, 2008 Premiers agreed to amend the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) which enhances full labour mobility for all regulated professions, including teachers, by April 1, 2009.
Effective April 1, 2009 and consistent with the terms of the AIT, teachers who hold valid Canadian certification will be able to pursue employment and obtain certification in Alberta without additional training and examination, with the exception of teachers who hold a certificate with a limited scope of practice. A teaching certificate with a limited scope of practice is one that restricts teaching practice to certain grade levels or specific subject areas.
AIT is only applicable to individuals who hold a current valid teaching certificate in another Canadian jurisdiction. It does not apply to anyone who holds a certificate which has been suspended, revoked or expired.
Two types of certificates will be issued in Alberta to teachers with Canadian certification:
1. Certificated teachers from Canadian jurisdictions whose scope of practice as denoted on the teaching certificate is the same as in Alberta (teach in grades Kindergarten to Grade 12) will be granted an Interim Professional Certificate with no additional requirements.
2. Certificated teachers from Canadian jurisdictions whose scope of practice as denoted on the current teaching certificate is different than Alberta‘s scope of practice will be issued a Letter of Authority. The Letter of Authority will include the same conditions on scope of practice (grade levels and subject areas) as established by the current certificating jurisdiction. (These individuals will be required to submit transcripts to have their credentials assessed for the issuance of the Letter of Authority.) Requirements for Alberta certification may be found on our website.
Application for certification is still required.
All teachers with a valid Canadian teaching certificate applying for Alberta certification will be required to provide the following:- completed application form
- application fee for processing, issue of certificate and registration in Alberta teacher registry
- a statement of professional standing from all previous Canadian jurisdictions, indicating that the certificate is current, valid and in good standing
- a statement of professional standing from the jurisdiction of initial teacher preparation and where teacher last taught
- photocopies of all certificates issued from other Canadian jurisdictions
- letters from previous Canadian employers verifying work experience and currency of practice
- copies of birth certificate and proof of name change, if applicable
- immigration document (work authorization, permanent residency, citizenship), if applicable
- current criminal record check, when requested
- evidence of English or French language proficiency, when requested
- official transcripts for all post-secondary studies, when requested.
Note: Upon review of your signed application, further documentation may be required.
According to section 12(1) of the Certification of Teachers Regulation, Alberta Education retains the right to deny certification to individuals who do not meet the standard for fit and proper person, who are not proficient in English or French, or who have not practised in the profession in the last ten years. Please visit the Currency of Teaching Experience section of our website for further information.
