THE TILMA TAKES ITS FIRST STEPS

Gov. B.C. News Release March 31

VICTORIA – As of April 1, 2007, the Provinces of B.C. and Alberta will be responsible to comply with the general rules and special provisions of the TILMA. Following a two-year transitional period, the TILMA will be fully implemented on April 1, 2009. During this time period, the provinces will continue to consult with local governments and accreditation bodies, and negotiate any required special provisions.

Under the TILMA, the movement of goods, services, investment and workers between British Columbia and Alberta will become easier. Examples of some changes include:

• B.C. and Alberta will not require businesses located in either of the provinces to maintain local offices or be residents as a prerequisite to carrying on business.
• Occupations not listed as requiring reconciliation will enjoy full labour mobility. Those which are listed will be reconciled within the next two years. The full list will be available on the TILMA website on April 1.
• Alberta and B.C. companies will be able to bid on an expanded range of government goods and services contracts in both provinces.
• Many commercial vehicles will no longer need additional registration and permits to carry goods across the B.C.-Alberta border.
• A larger single market will be created in the energy sector by ensuring B.C. companies operating and investing in Alberta are treated in a non-discriminatory manner. Alberta's local presence requirements in the energy sector will be eliminated within the next 18 months.
  
  In advance of the April 1 transitional period, several occupational groups have already reconciled standards. The following professionals can now work in either B.C. or Alberta without taking extra steps to have their credentials recognized: acupuncturists, chiropractors, occupational therapists, and water and waste water operators.
  
  Each Province has appointed members of the dispute resolution panel. These people will be called upon in the event a disagreement under TILMA is not resolved first by consultation. British Columbia has appointed the following experts: Steven D. Cope, Carl Kuhnke, R. Lorne Seitz, Jeffrey Thomas and Andrew Wilkinson.