Premiers are hoping that Canadian workers will soon have an easier time finding jobs across the country after the leaders signed a deal Thursday for full labour mobility next year.

The deal would mean that in most cases, credentials of workers would be recognized throughout the country.

"We believe working people and their families want to have a situation where they do not have to go through 13 separate accreditation processes but rather one accreditation process," Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said Thursday following a meeting of the Council of the Federation in Quebec.

"We believe that a teacher is a teacher, and a nurse is a nurse, a welder is a welder and we believe that that will be accomplished with the accreditation acceptance of each of our jurisdictions," Doer said.

Doer said the deal has three deadlines:

• Amending the internal trade agreement between province and territories by Jan. 1, 2009.
• Having full labour mobility by April 1, 2009.
• Implementing a full agreement to accept credentials from other provinces at the next premiers meeting by Aug. 1, 2009.

"No matter where a Canadian lives in this great country, they can move to a different province, take their skills with them, their profession, and be able to work within the country of Canada without any barriers. And that is significant policy change given it is 2008," Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach said.

According to the federal Department of Human Resources and Social Development website, every year approximately 200,000 Canadians move to a different province or territory and look for work.