BILL NO. 45
(as introduced)
1st Session, 62nd General Assembly
Nova Scotia
63 Elizabeth II, 2014
Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications
System Reform (2014) Act
The Honourable Kelly Regan
Minister of Labour and Advanced Education
First Reading: April 10, 2014
Second Reading: April 22, 2014
Third Reading: April 29, 2014 (WITH COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS) (LINK TO BILL AS PASSED)
Explanatory Notes
Clause 1 sets out the short title of the Act.
(a) adds or replaces definitions of "Agency", "appeal panel", "apprenticeship agreement", "apprenticeship and trades qualifications system", "authorized person", "certificate of equivalency", "Chief Executive Officer", "Deputy Minister", "equity program", "examination", "joint registration agreement", "Minister", "operating charter", "trade", "Trade Advisory Committee", "trade regulations", "training provider" and "youth";
(b) amends several definitions to expand the types of training that qualify as apprenticeship training;
(c) makes complementary changes consistent with the designation of the Apprenticeship Training Division as a special operating agency and the establishment of an operating charter for the new Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency; and
(d) clarifies the language in some of the definitions.
Clause 3 gives the Minister the supervision and management of the Act and allows the Minister to delegate his or her duties and powers under the Act.
Clause 4 provides that members of the Apprenticeship Board will be appointed pursuant to the operating charter.
Clause 5 repeals the Sections setting out the roles and duties of the former Board and replaces them with Sections
(a) providing that the Deputy Minister appoints the Chief Executive Officer and that the Director and other employees are appointed pursuant to the Civil Service Act, as required; and
(b) providing powers and duties for the Board, the Chief Executive Officer and the Director.
Clause 6 extends the powers of the Director or an authorized person to ensure compliance with the Act.
Clause 7 adds a new Section allowing the Director or any authorized person to issue an order requiring a person to cease engaging in the activities or employment of an apprentice or a journeyperson or holding himself or herself out as an apprentice or journeyperson.Clause 8 authorizes the Governor in Council to revoke the designation of and regulate a compulsory certified trade.
(a) expands the types of training the Director may give credit for, including training or experience acquired in another jurisdiction;
(b) requires the consent of an employer before an apprenticeship agreement may be assigned to it; and
(c) allows for the assignment of apprenticeship agreements to an employer in another jurisdiction in Canada with the consent of the apprenticeship authority in the other jurisdiction and subject to any terms and conditions that authority may require.
Clause 10 makes the assumption of responsibilities by a recognized association under an apprenticeship agreement subject to the regulations, and updates a reference to regulations to refer to trade regulations as well.
Clause 11 allows the Director to
(a) renew a certificate of qualification in a designated trade; and
(b) issue a certificate of proficiency in certain circumstances.
Clause 12 adds the holders of a certificate of equivalency to those entitled to practise a compulsory certified trade.
(a) substitutes "Director" for "administrator of the Board";
(b) requires the Director to transmit a notice of appeal to the Chair of the Board within five days;
(c) expands the period in which an appeal panel must be established from 30 to 60 days;
(d) replaces the appeal board with an appeal panel; and
(e) establishes the procedure where the appeal panel refers a matter back to the Director.
(a) specifically authorizes the Minister to enter into agreements with other Canadian jurisdictions with respect to assigning apprenticeship agreements; and
(b) removes powers which will now be vested in the Agency.
Clause 15 expands the regulation-making powers of the Governor in Council.
Clause 16 adds a definition of "Agency" and changes the name of the Minister from Education and Culture to Labour and Advanced Education.
Clause 17 adds the Agency to the groups the College provides training for and works with to provide joint programs.
(a) allows the College to revise existing programs, subject to the approval of the Minister;
(b) gives the Agency the authority to make recommendations before programs of study or guidelines are established or revised;
(c) requires the Board of Governors of the College to provide the Agency with a copy of proposed programs of study or guidelines or proposed revisions to either of them; and
(d) allows the Minister to impose restrictions or conditions on the programs of study, guidelines or revised programs of study or guidelines and to refer any of these documents to other persons or bodies.
Clause 19 allows the Minister to delegate to the Agency the Minister's powers, duties and functions under this Part of the Act that are within the mandate of the Agency.
(a) directs the Minister and the Board to consider a person's knowledge of the labour market and economic needs of the Province in making appointments to the Board; and
(b) corrects a cross-reference.
Clause 21 requires the President and the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency to file an annual stewardship report with the Minister once it has been approved by the Board and the Apprenticeship Board of the Agency.
Clause 22 requires the Board to
(a) collaborate with the Agency to develop evaluation guidelines for programs of study within the mandate of the Agency;
(b) consult with the Minister when developing other evaluation guidelines;
(c) consult with the Minister when evaluating a program of study other than one within the mandate of the Agency;
(d) consult with the Agency when evaluating a program of study within the mandate of the Agency; and
(e) collaborate with the Agency in the development of the Board's multi-year plan.
Clause 23 specifically authorizes the Board to co-operate with the Agency to achieve the mandate of the College.(a) requires the Board to establish a program advisory committee for any program of study offered at the College for a trade within the mandate of the Agency;
(b) requires that the committee must consist of the Trade Advisory Committee established under the operating charter of the Agency; and
(c) requires the Board to notify the Apprenticeship Board and the Minister when certain program advisory committees are to be established.
Clause 25 replaces references to the "Labour Relations Board" with "Labour Board" and updates the name of the Minister's department.
Clause 26 adds to the regulation-making powers of the Governor in Council with respect to the changes made by this Bill.
Clause 27 provides that this Bill comes into force upon proclamation.
An Act to Amend Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2003,
the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act,
and Chapter 4 of the Acts of 1995-96,
the Community Colleges Act,
to Facilitate the Reform of the Apprenticeship
and Trades Qualifications System
1 This Act may be cited as the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications System Reform (2014) Act.
2 Section 2 of Chapter 1 of the Acts of 2003, the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act, as amended by Chapter 23 of the Acts of 2006, is further amended by
(a) striking out clause (a) and substituting the following clauses:
(aa) "appeal panel" means an appeal panel established by the Board pursuant to this Act and the operating charter;
(b) striking out clauses (c) and (d) and substituting the following clauses:
(ii) the recognized association assumes the responsibilities of the employer of the apprentice pursuant to subsection 19(3),
and the employer or recognized association provides the apprentice with practical experience and the opportunity to obtain technical training;
(d) "apprenticeship and trades qualifications system" means an industry-led system of apprenticeship training that leads to a certificate of apprenticeship or certificate of qualification in a designated trade and includes
(c) striking out "and technical training" in the last line of clause (e) and substituting ", technical training and any pre-employment apprenticeship training, or training or experience in a designated trade pursuant to subsection 18(5)".
(d) adding immediately after clause (e) the following clause:
(e) striking out "appointed pursuant to this Act" in the first and second lines of clause (f) and substituting "established under the operating charter";
(f) adding immediately after clause (g) the following clause:
(g) adding immediately after clause (h) the following clause:
(h) adding immediately after clause (i) the following clause:
(i) adding ", or branch of a trade," immediately after "trade" the second time it appears in clause (j);
(j) adding ", and may include a representative of a recognized association" immediately after "trade" in the last line of subclause (l)(ii);
(k) adding ", but, for greater certainty, does not include a recognized association other than one that employs an apprentice" immediately after "apprentice" in the last line of clause (m);
(l) adding ", but does not include a representative of a recognized association" immediately after "business" in the last line of subclause (n)(i);
(m) adding immediately after clause (n) the following clauses:
(nb) "examination" means an oral, written, practical or electronic examination, either alone or in a combination;
(nc) "joint registration agreement" means an agreement entered into between either the Minister or the Director and a recognized association establishing the terms and conditions under which a recognized association may enter into apprenticeship agreements with respect to specified trades;
(n) striking out clause (p) and substituting the following clause:
(o) adding immediately after clause (q) the following clause:
(p) striking out clause (v) and substituting the following clauses:
(va) "Trade Advisory Committee" means an ad hoc trade advisory committee established by the Board in accordance with the operating charter;
(vb) "trade regulations" means regulations made under the Act respecting a particular designated trade;
(vc) "training provider" means a person, union, organization or association that is a party to an agreement with the Director under Section 18 of the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act General Regulations to deliver technical training or other pre-employment apprenticeship training;
3 Section 3 of Chapter 1 is repealed and the following Section substituted:
(2) The Minister may delegate to, and designate any person to perform such duties and exercise such powers of the Minister under this Act, the regulations and the operating charter as may be set out in the designation, and any act done by a person so designated has the same force, validity and effect as if done by the Minister.
4 Section 4 of Chapter 1 is repealed and the following Section substituted:
5 Sections 5 to 14 of Chapter 1 are repealed and the following Sections substituted:
6 (1) A Chief Executive Officer shall be appointed by the Deputy Minister.
(2) The Chief Executive Officer shall have the general leadership, management and administration of the Agency, and has the powers and duties assigned to the Chief Executive Officer by this Act, the regulations and the operating charter.
7 A Director and any other employees required for the administration of this Act, the regulations and the operating charter shall be appointed pursuant to the Civil Service Act.
8 The Director shall carry out the powers and duties assigned to the Director under this Act, the regulations and the operating charter, including
(a) keeping a record of every apprenticeship agreement and every suspension, cancellation, transfer, termination or completion of the terms of an agreement;
(b) making or directing examinations, audits and inquires to ensure compliance with this Act;
(c) carrying out a program of apprenticeship in a designated trade;
(d) undertaking or contracting for the training of apprentices under the apprenticeship and trades qualifications system;
(e) establishing and approving curriculum standards for the technical training of apprentices and monitoring the technical training;
(f) providing for the examination of apprentices and applicants for trade certification;
(g) conducting investigations relating to compliance with this Act pursuant to a written complaint or report;
(h) suspending or cancelling the registration of an apprenticeship agreement for cause;
(i) prescribing forms for the purpose of this Act and providing for their use; and
(j) performing such other duties as may be assigned by the Chief Executive Officer or the Minister.
6 Section 16 of Chapter 1 is amended by
(a) striking out the first three lines and substituting "For the purpose of ensuring compliance with this Act, the regulations and the trade regulations, the Director, or any authorized person, may, during regular working hours,";
(b) striking out the period at the end of clause (c) and substituting a semi-colon; and
(c) adding immediately after clause (c) the following clauses:
(e) exercise such other powers as may be necessary or incidental to the carrying out of the Director's or authorized person's functions pursuant to this Act, the regulations or the trade regulations.
7 Chapter 1 is further amended by adding immediately after Section 16 the following Section:
(2) An order issued pursuant to subsection (1) may be oral or written and may require that the order be carried out within such time as the Director or authorized person specifies.
(3) The Director or authorized person shall confirm an oral order in writing as soon as is reasonably practicable.
(4) For greater certainty, an oral order is effective immediately, before it is confirmed in writing.
(5) An order under subsection (1) remains in place for such period as may be specified in the order or until the order is withdrawn or cancelled by the Director or authorized person.
8 Section 17 of Chapter 1 is repealed and the following Section substituted:
(2) The Governor in Council may, by regulation, establish and approve objectives, standards and requirements in relation to
(a) apprenticeship training and certification in the trade; and
(b) certification in the trade without apprenticeship training,
for a trade that is specified in the regulations as a compulsory certified trade.
(3) Where the regulations made pursuant to subsection (2) are repealed, the Governor in Council may, by regulation, revoke the designation of the designated trade that is the subject of those regulations.
(4) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority contained in subsections (2) and (3) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
9 (1) Subsection 18(5) of Chapter 1 is amended by
(a) striking out "and" in the last line and substituting "or"; and
(b) adding ", including previous apprenticeship training and training or experience acquired in another province of Canada" immediately after "trade" in the last line.
(2) Subsection 18(9) of Chapter 1 is amended by
(a) adding "or a recognized association" immediately after "employer" in the first and in the second lines; and
(b) adding "other employer or recognized association and the" immediately after "the" in the last line.
(3) Section 18 of Chapter 1 is further amended by adding immediately after subsection (9) the following subsection:
10 (1) Subsection 19(3) of Chapter 1 is amended by adding ", subject to the regulations" immediately after "Act" in the last line.
(2) Subsection 19(4) of Chapter 1 is amended by
(a) adding "trade" immediately after "the" the second time it appears in the third line; and
(b) adding "and other regulations" immediately after "regulations" in the third line.
11 Subsection 21(1A) of Chapter 1 is repealed and the following subsections substituted:
(1B) Notwithstanding clause (1)(b), the Director may issue a certificate of proficiency to a person who, in the opinion of the Director, demonstrates through practical skills that the person meets the standards and requirements established for the trade, and who otherwise satisfies any additional requirements set out in the regulations.
12 Subsection 22(1) of Chapter 1 is amended by adding immediately after clause (c) the following clause:
13 (1) Clause 24(1)(g) of Chapter 1 is amended by adding "as being appealable" immediately after "regulations".
(2) Subsection 24(2) of Chapter 1 is amended by striking out "administrator of the Board" in the second line and substituting "Director".
(3) Section 24 of Chapter 1 is further amended by adding immediately after subsection (2) the following subsection:
(4) Subsection 24(3) of Chapter 1 is amended by
(a) striking out "thirty" in the second line and substituting "sixty"; and
(b) striking out "board" in the third line and substituting "panel".
(5) Subsection 24(5) of Chapter 1 is amended by
(a) striking out "The" in the first line and substituting "Subject to the regulations, the"; and
(b) striking out "board" in the last line and substituting "panel".
(6) Subsection 24(6) of Chapter 1 is amended by
(a) striking out "board" in the first line and substituting "panel";
(b) adding "subject to subsections (6A) and (6B)," immediately before "refer" in the first line of clause (b); and
(c) striking out "board's" in the second line of clause (b) and substituting "panel's".
(7) Section 24 of Chapter 1 is further amended by adding immediately after subsection (6) the following subsections:
(6B) The appeal panel shall decide the matter after receiving any report in writing from the Director under subsection (6A) and the evidence and submissions of the appellant and any other parties to the appeal.
(8) Subsection 24(7) of Chapter 1 is amended by striking out "board" in the first line and substituting "panel".
(9) Subsection 24(8) of Chapter 1 is amended by striking out "board" in the first line and substituting "panel".
14 Section 26 of Chapter 1 is amended by
(a) adding immediately after clause (a) the following clause:
(b) adding "and" immediately after the semicolon at the end of clause (b);
(c) striking out clauses (c) and (d);
(d) striking out the semicolon at the end of clause (e) and substituting a period; and
15 Subsection 29(1) of Chapter 1, as amended by Chapter 23 of the Acts of 2006, is further amended by
(a) striking out clauses (a) to (ba) and substituting the following clauses:
(b) adding ", and the requirements for, or limitations on, recognized associations that assume the responsibilities of the employer pursuant to subsection 19(3)" immediately after "employer" in the second line of clause (d);
(c) striking out clause (g) and substituting the following clause:
(d) adding ", including the information the Director may seek from a person who wishes to obtain a certificate of qualification" immediately after "trade" in the second line of clause (h);
(e) adding "and other persons who do not hold a certificate of apprenticeship in a designated trade" immediately after "apprentices" in the first line of clause (i);
(f) adding "and the information the Director may seek from the parties to a proposed apprenticeship agreement" immediately after "agreement" in the second line of clause (q);
(g) adding "and certificates of equivalency" immediately after "qualification" in the second line of clause (u);
(h) adding immediately after clause (u) the following clause:
(i) adding "and certificates of equivalency" immediately after "qualification" in the second line of clause (v);
(j) adding immediately after clause (w) the following clause:
(k) striking out "fees and requiring the payment of fees" in the first and second lines of clause (x) and substituting "fees and requiring the payment and waiving the payment of fees";
(l) striking out "board" in the second line of clause (z) and substituting "panel";
(m) adding immediately after clause (z) the following clause:
(n) striking out "the" in the second line of clause (aa) and substituting "this";
(o) striking out clause (ab) and substituting the following clauses:
(aba) requiring that identity cards be kept in the possession of a person practising a designated trade, when they are doing so, and be produced on the request of the Director, an authorized person or a person authorized by the Director;
(p) striking out "qualifications" in the first and second lines of clause (ad) and substituting "qualification and certificates of equivalency"; and
(q) striking out clause (ai) and substituting the following clause:
16 Section 50 of Chapter 4 of the Acts of 1995-96, the Community Colleges Act, is amended by
(a) relettering clause (a) as clause (aa) and adding immediately before that clause the following clause:
(b) striking out "Education and Culture" in the first and second lines of clause (f) and substituting "Labour and Advanced Education".
17 Section 52 of Chapter 4 is amended by
(a) adding "(1)" immediately after the Section number;
(b) adding ", the Agency" immediately after "corporations" in the second line of clause (b);
(c) striking out "and educational bodies" in the last line of clause (c) and substituting ", educational bodies and the Agency"; and
(d) adding the following subsection:
18 Subsection 54(3) of Chapter 4 is repealed and the following subsections substituted:
(4) The proposed programs of study, revisions to programs of study or guidelines referred to in subsections (2) and (3) must be approved by the Minister, subject to such conditions, restrictions and referrals to such persons or bodies of persons prescribed by the regulations and subsection (5).
(5) Before the Minister approves a proposed program of study, proposed revision to a program of study or a proposed guideline,
(a) the Agency may make recommendations to the Minister concerning the proposed program of study, proposed revision to a program of study or proposed guideline if it is in relation to a trade that is within the mandate of the Agency; and
(b) any other person, or body of persons, prescribed by the regulations may make recommendations to the Minister concerning the proposed program of study, proposed revision to a program of study or proposed guideline.
(6) The Board shall provide to the Agency a copy of the proposed program of study, proposed revisions to a program of study or proposed guidelines in relation to a trade that is within the mandate of the Agency.
19 Section 55 of Chapter 4 is amended by adding ", including the Agency with respect to trades and related matters within its mandate," immediately after "persons" in the second line.
20 (1) Subsection 56(3) of Chapter 4 is amended by
(a) striking out "the desirability of achieving on the Board an equitable representation of the diversity of educational and community interests served by the programs and services of the College"; and
(b) adding the following clauses:
(b) the desirability of achieving on the Board an equitable representation of the diversity of educational and community interests served by the programs and services of the College.
(2) Subsection 56(6) of Chapter 4 is amended by striking out "(4)" in the second line and substituting "(5)".
21 Chapter 4 is further amended by adding immediately after Section 60 the following Section:
(2) The annual stewardship report must include such information as the President and the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency may determine and any information prescribed by the regulations or requested by the Minister.
(3) The annual stewardship report must be
(a) approved by the Board and the Apprenticeship Board of the Agency; and
(b) submitted by the President and the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency to the Minister by a date to be determined by the Minister.
22 Subsection 63(1) of Chapter 4 is amended by
(a) adding immediately after clause (d) the following clauses:
(db) subject to the regulations, consult with the Minister when developing guidelines for the evaluation of a program of study other than a program of study that pertains to a trade that is within the mandate of the Agency;
(b) adding immediately after clause (e) the following clauses:
(eb) subject to the regulations, consult with the Minister when evaluating a program of study other than a program of study that pertains to a trade that is within the mandate of the Agency;
(c) adding "subject to subsection 67(1B)," immediately before "establish" in the first line of clause (p);
(d) striking out "and" at the end of clause (t); and
(e) adding immediately after clause (t) the following clause:
23 Clause 64(i) of Chapter 4 is amended by adding ", including the Agency," immediately after "person" in the second line.
24 (1) Subsection 67(1) of Chapter 4 is amended by adding "and, subject to the regulations, by the Minister" immediately after "Board" in the last line.
(2) Section 67 of Chapter 4 is further amended by adding immediately after subsection (1) the following subsections:
(1B) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a program advisory committee established under subsection (1A) must consist of the Trade Advisory Committee, as defined in the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act, for a trade that is within the mandate of the Agency.
(1C) The Board must notify the Apprenticeship Board of the Agency when a program advisory committee is to be established in relation to a trade that is within the mandate of the Agency.
(1D) The Board must notify the Minister when a program advisory committee is established.
25 (1) Subsection 89(2) of Chapter 4 is amended by
(a) striking out "Relations" in the first line of clause (b);
(b) striking out "Relations" in the third line of clause (c).
(2) Subsection 89(3) of Chapter 4 is amended by striking out "Relations" in the first line.
(3) Subsection 89(6) of Chapter 4 is amended by
(a) adding "and Advanced Education" immediately after "Labour" in the second line; and
(b) striking out "Relations" in the second and in the sixth lines.
(4) Subsection 89(7) of Chapter 4 is amended by striking out "Relations" in the second line.
26 Subsection 97(1) of Chapter 4 is amended by relettering clause (a) as clause (ae) and adding immediately before that clause the following clauses:
(ii) guidelines established pursuant to clause 54(2)(b), and
(iii) programs of study revised pursuant to subsection 54(3);
(aa) respecting the information to be included in the annual stewardship report;
(ab) respecting the consultation the Board must have with the Minister for the purpose of developing guidelines for a program of study other than a program of study that pertains to a trade that is within the mandate of the Agency;
(ac) respecting the consultation the Board must have with the Minister for the purpose of evaluating a program of study other than a program of study that pertains to a trade that is within the mandate of the Agency;
(ad) respecting the appointment by the Minister of persons to a program advisory committee established by the Board for a program of study other than a program of study that pertains to a trade that is within the mandate of the Agency;
27 This Act comes into force on such day as the Governor in Council orders and declares by proclamation.
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