The Atlantic Physician Register, an agreement among the four Atlantic provinces, is now in place, allowing physicians and surgeons to move more freely across provincial borders.

The various colleges have agreed to an annual fee of $500 for physicians on the Atlantic Register. Those on the list will no longer be subject to locum or temporary licence fees in Atlantic Canada.

Premier Andrew Furey calls it a “brilliant” move.

He says physicians who register are not only licenced to practice in their home province, but throughout Atlantic Canada.

The registry will make it easier for locums in particular to help fill gaps in the summer season.

Furey says the registry is long overdue, and he’d love to see it expanded to a national registry.