A request from the city of Kenora is now leading a regulatory change regarding building inspectors.
Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister Paul Calandra says the change aims to recognize better the qualifications of Manitoba inspectors seeking work in Ontario.
Calandra says it was a meeting in January with Kenora Mayor Andrew Poirier that led to his ministry’s willingness to start work on the change.
“So, we took that challenge. And the Mayor and Kenora officials have been really, really good in helping us draft some reforms that will allow us to recognize Manitoba officials who want to work in Ontario,” says Calandra.
Currently, out-of-province personnel looking to work in Ontario must undergo a lengthy approval process.
“Of course, we’re going to make sure that whoever we are hired understands the differences between the Manitoba and the Ontario code. But outside of that, we want to fast-track them into the province and make it much, much easier for them to practice here.”
Calandra says because it is a regulatory change and not new legislation, it should not take as long to implement.
The Minister says he is also open to a reciprocal agreement with Manitoba if it is interested.
