C-266National Framework on Skilled Trades and Labour Mobility Act
An Act to establish a national framework respecting skilled trades and labour mobility
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on March 11, 2026
- Status
- In committee in the House of Commons since September 23, 2026
What it does
Requires the federal minister to develop a national framework to align skilled trades certification and make it easier to move across provinces.
What it does
- Requires the Minister of Employment and Social Development to develop a national framework that reduces barriers for skilled trades workers by modernising, streamlining and harmonising certification and credentials across Canada.
- Requires at least nine months of consultations with provinces, trades regulators, employers, unions, apprenticeship groups, Indigenous bodies, and training and education institutions.
- Requires the framework to list skilled trades across Canada and compare provincial standards and credentials to map where they match.
- Requires measures to harmonise standards, cut duplicate steps, streamline recognition from one province to another, support updated certification for new technologies and trades, and promote public awareness of skilled trades.
- Requires the Minister to table a report within one year, then annual progress reports, and publish each report online.
- Requires a parliamentary review within five years, with a report that may recommend changes to the framework.
Who it affects
- Skilled trades workers
- Provincial governments
- Trades regulators
- Employers
- Labour unions
- Apprenticeship organisations
- Training institutions
- Indigenous governing bodies
Background
The bill defines a skilled trade as a trade that is certified or regulated by a province, including trades with Red Seal or Blue Seal credentials. It gives the Minister of Employment and Social Development responsibility for the framework.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Current stage. Now here
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
2nd reading of Bill C-266, An Act to establish a national framework respecting skilled trades and labour mobility
Vote 174,
Passed
295 yeato21 nay · 14 paired
Party breakdown for vote 174 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Yea 165 0 8 Conservative Yea 124 0 13 Bloc Nay 0 21 0 NDP Yea 5 0 0 Green Yea 1 0 0 Total 295 21
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalParm Bains· April 23, 2026
“It is for these Canadians that I tabled Bill C-266, a national framework respecting skilled trades and labour mobility. At its core, this bill recognizes a simple truth: Canada cannot reach its full potential if the people who build it, our skilled trades workers, are prevented from working where they are needed the most.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeGarnett Genuis· April 23, 2026
“The bill that the Liberal member has brought to us is an interesting one, because in many respects it feels like an admission of failure on the part of the government. The Liberals have been in power for more than 10 years.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocAndréanne Larouche· April 23, 2026
“I think my colleague from Laurentides—Labelle indicated where we stand on Bill C-266, an act to establish a national framework respecting skilled trades and labour mobility. This bill is presented as a practical measure aimed at facilitating the mobility of skilled workers.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At consideration in committee in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.