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Here’s how provinces are trying to remove Canada’s internal trade barriers
CANADA, JUN 30 – Provincial and federal governments are collaborating to ease trade restrictions and promote labour mobility, with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business noting progress among seven jurisdictions.
- Bill C-5, which became law on June 26, 2025, eases national limitations on trade between provinces and accelerates the approval process for major infrastructure developments in Canada.
- The legislation responds to the U.S.-Canada tariff war and long-standing provincial trade barriers, with federal and provincial leaders intensifying efforts to improve internal trade.
- Provinces such as Manitoba, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Yukon, and New Brunswick have introduced various bills or agreements aimed at easing trade restrictions, including Manitoba and B.C.’s memorandums and Yukon’s plan to eliminate specific exemptions within the framework of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
- Ryan Mallough, vice-president of legislative affairs at CFIB, acknowledged the positive progress made but cautioned that differing mutual recognition strategies across seven jurisdictions might unintentionally rebuild the very barriers they aim to eliminate.
- These measures suggest initial advances toward freer internal trade but imply ongoing challenges as provinces continue adjusting policies, with key areas like trucking and labour mobility remaining on the agenda.
31 Articles
31 Articles
CFIB Says Internal Trade Barriers Coming Down, but Patchwork Could Create Challenges
A new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says progress has been made on removing trade barriers within Canada, but it adds that the patchwork of approaches could create new issues. The organization’s latest “internal trade report card” grades the federal and provincial governments based on factors related to interprovincial and territorial co-operation. It said Nova Scotia ranked highest in its 2025 evaluation, as the firs…
castanet.net
Here's how provinces are trying to remove Canada's internal trade barriers
Efforts to boost interprovincial trade have kicked into high gear amid the U.S.-Canada tariff war. Here's a look at some trade agreements, legislation and proposals among provinces and territories that are in addition to the New West Partnership between the four Western provinces that has been in pl...
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