Latest news with #CFTA
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Committee on Internal Trade meets to strengthen Canada's economy Français
QUEBEC CITY, /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, met with her provincial and territorial counterparts at the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) meeting in Québec City to advance shared priorities and strengthen Canada's domestic economy. Over the past six months, the federal government worked with the CIT to facilitate internal trade and labour mobility across Canada by: Removing unnecessary exceptions from the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses to buy and sell interprovincially and compete for government procurement. Reaching an agreement in principle to include the financial services sector into the CFTA by end of Fall 2025. Expanding the Mutual Recognition Project in the trucking sector to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Minister Freeland invited transportation officials and experts to a Trucking Hackathon on July 15-16 in Toronto to identify new opportunities to make it easier to transport goods across Canada by aligning regulations in the trucking sector. Advancing mutual recognition for goods (except for food) by December 2025, making it easier to buy and sell Canadian goods across the country. Committing to implement an Action Plan on labour mobility, including a 30-day service standard to process labour mobility applications. Signing a Memorandum of Understanding to implement a direct-to-consumer alcohol sales system by May 2026, at the latest. Agreeing to launch internal trade missions to foster business growth and promote trade across Canada. In addition, the federal government recently announced the elimination of all federal exceptions in the CFTA. The government has also successfully passed the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act as part of Canada's new One Canadian Economy Act. This legislation will eliminate federal barriers to the movement of goods, services and labour within Canada, while upholding the health, safety and security of Canadians, their social and economic well-being, and the environment. The federal government will continue to work toward the removal of remaining barriers to internal trade and labour mobility to ensure all Canadian businesses and workers have access to a seamless and integrated domestic market. Quotes "Our government is spearheading measures to remove barriers to trade within our country, including removing all federal exceptions under the CFTA and removing federal barriers to the movement of goods, services and labour within Canada. We are making it easier for Canadians to buy Canadian-made products, building a stronger economy, and securing a more prosperous future for all Canadians." —The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Quick Facts Trade within Canada is an essential driver of the Canadian economy. Eliminating barriers to internal trade will lower prices on everyday items, give Canadians greater choice, and increase productivity, adding up to $200 billion to the economy. The Committee on Internal Trade consists of all federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for internal trade, and is responsible for supervising the implementation of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), including providing oversight over a number of CFTA working groups; assisting in the resolution of disputes; approving the annual operating budget of the Internal Trade Secretariat (ITS); and considering any other matter that may affect the operation of the CFTA. Associated Links Stay Connected SOURCE Minister of Transport and Internal Trade
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MEDIA ADVISORY - COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL TRADE MEETING
QUÉBEC CITY, July 7, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment for the Northwest Territories, as Chair of the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) for 2025, and the Honourable Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy for Québec, as host of the CIT meeting, will hold a media availability alongside CIT representatives from the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 Time: 3:30 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. EDT Registration: Media representatives who wish to attend the event in person can register in advance at secretariat@ Those wishing to attend virtually must register using the following Zoom link: QUICK FACTS Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) The CFTA is a consensus-based agreement, that is overseen by the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT), which is comprised of Federal Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers responsible for internal trade. The Northwest Territories is the 2025 Chair of the CIT. The CFTA establishes rules that apply across the Canadian economy and govern pan-Canadian trade. Rules apply automatically to all economic activity unless something is specifically excluded. Exclusions occur within the CFTA, such as through General Exceptions (Chapter 8), Party-Specific Exceptions (Annex 1, Annex 2, and Procurement), Legitimate Objectives, and Non-Application Exceptions (such as in Chapter 5). Internal Trade Over $530 billion worth of goods and services moves across provincial and territorial borders every year—equal to 20 per cent of Canada's gross domestic product. In 2023, one-third of Canadian businesses participated in internal trade by buying or selling goods across provincial and territorial borders. In comparison, in 2023, Canada was the United States' largest trading partner, with more than $1.3 trillion worth of bilateral trade in goods and services. Committee on Internal Trade & Recent Accomplishments The CIT is comprised of FPT ministers responsible for supervising the implementation of the CFTA, including oversight of a number of working groups established under the Agreement, assisting in the resolution of disputes, approving the annual operating budget of the Internal Trade Secretariat (ITS), and considering any other matter that may affect the operation of the CFTA. July 8's Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) meeting in Québec City marks the seventh gathering of 2025 demonstrating an unprecedented level of collaboration and urgency. On February 28, 2025, the Federal, Provincial, Territorial Committee on Internal Trade was convened and agreed to the following actions: Enhancing the CFTA: All governments committed to conducting a rapid review of all remaining party-specific exceptions in the CFTA and swiftly conclude negotiations for incorporating the financial services Sector into the Agreement. This will ensure a free and open internal market for Canadian businesses and workers. Building on removals some governments have completed since 2017, to date, a minimum of 40 exceptions have been identified for removal by five governments, with all exception reviews to be completed by June 1, 2025. Reducing regulatory and administrative burdens through mutual recognition: A strong domestic market starts with goods freely moving between provinces and territories. Building on the pilot project on mutual recognition in trucking, all governments have now agreed to immediately launch negotiations for mutual recognition of all consumer goods (excluding food). This would guarantee that a good certified in one province can be bought and sold in any other, without additional red tape. Parties may also pursue a broader mutual recognition agreement covering most or all sectors of the economy through unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral initiatives. The Committee on Internal Trade committed to tabling an Action Plan for Mutual Recognition of Consumer Goods by March 31, 2025. Facilitating labour mobility: Internal trade and labour market ministers will prioritize efforts to further improve transparency and reduce the administrative burden for labour mobility applicants to support the timely and seamless mobility of workers to fill jobs wherever they are available, including by adopting a service standard of 30 days or better to process applications. Launching pan-Canadian direct-to-consumer alcohol sales for Canadian products: The Governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Canada have committed to improving the trade of alcohol products between participating jurisdictions by advancing direct-to-consumer sales for Canadian products. Currently, British Columbia allows for direct-to-consumer sales for wine, while Manitoba is already open to direct-to-consumer sales on all alcoholic beverages. The Yukon is exploring options for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales within the territory. Employing a Team Canada approach to promote the domestic economy: All governments committed to working together to promote growth and resiliency in the domestic market by helping Canadian businesses identify and access new opportunities in other provinces and territories, including through domestic trade missions. SOURCE Internal Trade Secretariat View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
Cision Canada
07-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
MEDIA ADVISORY - COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL TRADE MEETING
QUÉBEC CITY, July 7, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment for the Northwest Territories, as Chair of the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) for 2025, and the Honourable Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy for Québec, as host of the CIT meeting, will hold a media availability alongside CIT representatives from the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 Time: 3:30 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. EDT Registration: Media representatives who wish to attend the event in person can register in advance at [email protected]. Those wishing to attend virtually must register using the following Zoom link: Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) The CFTA is a consensus-based agreement, that is overseen by the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT), which is comprised of Federal Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers responsible for internal trade. The Northwest Territories is the 2025 Chair of the CIT. The CFTA establishes rules that apply across the Canadian economy and govern pan-Canadian trade. Rules apply automatically to all economic activity unless something is specifically excluded. Exclusions occur within the CFTA, such as through General Exceptions (Chapter 8), Party-Specific Exceptions (Annex 1, Annex 2, and Procurement), Legitimate Objectives, and Non-Application Exceptions (such as in Chapter 5). Internal Trade Over $530 billion worth of goods and services moves across provincial and territorial borders every year—equal to 20 per cent of Canada's gross domestic product. In 2023, one-third of Canadian businesses participated in internal trade by buying or selling goods across provincial and territorial borders. In comparison, in 2023, Canada was the United States' largest trading partner, with more than $1.3 trillion worth of bilateral trade in goods and services. Committee on Internal Trade & Recent Accomplishments The CIT is comprised of FPT ministers responsible for supervising the implementation of the CFTA, including oversight of a number of working groups established under the Agreement, assisting in the resolution of disputes, approving the annual operating budget of the Internal Trade Secretariat (ITS), and considering any other matter that may affect the operation of the CFTA. July 8's Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) meeting in Québec City marks the seventh gathering of 2025 demonstrating an unprecedented level of collaboration and urgency. On February 28, 2025, the Federal, Provincial, Territorial Committee on Internal Trade was convened and agreed to the following actions: Enhancing the CFTA: All governments committed to conducting a rapid review of all remaining party-specific exceptions in the CFTA and swiftly conclude negotiations for incorporating the financial services Sector into the Agreement. This will ensure a free and open internal market for Canadian businesses and workers. Building on removals some governments have completed since 2017, to date, a minimum of 40 exceptions have been identified for removal by five governments, with all exception reviews to be completed by June 1, 2025. Reducing regulatory and administrative burdens through mutual recognition: A strong domestic market starts with goods freely moving between provinces and territories. Building on the pilot project on mutual recognition in trucking, all governments have now agreed to immediately launch negotiations for mutual recognition of all consumer goods (excluding food). This would guarantee that a good certified in one province can be bought and sold in any other, without additional red tape. Parties may also pursue a broader mutual recognition agreement covering most or all sectors of the economy through unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral initiatives. The Committee on Internal Trade committed to tabling an Action Plan for Mutual Recognition of Consumer Goods by March 31, 2025. Facilitating labour mobility: Internal trade and labour market ministers will prioritize efforts to further improve transparency and reduce the administrative burden for labour mobility applicants to support the timely and seamless mobility of workers to fill jobs wherever they are available, including by adopting a service standard of 30 days or better to process applications. Launching pan-Canadian direct-to-consumer alcohol sales for Canadian products: The Governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Canada have committed to improving the trade of alcohol products between participating jurisdictions by advancing direct-to-consumer sales for Canadian products. Currently, British Columbia allows for direct-to-consumer sales for wine, while Manitoba is already open to direct-to-consumer sales on all alcoholic beverages. The Yukon is exploring options for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales within the territory. Employing a Team Canada approach to promote the domestic economy: All governments committed to working together to promote growth and resiliency in the domestic market by helping Canadian businesses identify and access new opportunities in other provinces and territories, including through domestic trade missions.
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Breaking down interprovincial trade barriers won't generate billions as billed: report
While Ontario and Alberta signed memoranda of understanding aimed at breaking down interprovincial trade barriers on Monday, a new report states internal free trade may not be the economic boon the federal government has promised. The report — released Monday by the left-leaning think tank Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives — states 'barriers to interprovincial trade, investment and labour mobility are significantly overstated,' and calls the government's publicly stated motivations for increasing internal trade 'largely political theatre.' 'The alleged costs of interprovincial trade irritants have been vastly overstated, as virtually all goods, services and investment flows freely across provincial borders,' the report states. 'New mutual recognition legislation and the removal of important policy exceptions in the 2017 Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) will further reduce governments' capacity to protect the environment, spur domestic economies, promote workplace health and safety, and stop predatory behaviours against consumers,' it also warns. Amid U.S. President Donald Trump's ongoing global trade war — and his slate of stacked tariffs on Canadian goods — Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government have promised to diversify trading partners and eliminate interprovincial trade barriers in order to insulate Canada's economy. The Liberals' Bill C-5, aimed at removing the federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, was passed nearly unanimously by MPs on June 20, shortly before the House rose for the summer break. It moved onto the Senate and was passed late the following week. Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland then announced on June 30 that the federal government is taking steps to eliminate the interprovincial trade barriers under its jurisdiction, by removing all 53 federal exemptions in the CFTA. The federal government, meanwhile, has previously cited studies — namely a 2019 study from the International Monetary Fund — claiming that scrapping all internal trade barriers could add $200 billion to the economy. Monday's report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, however, is disputing that number. 'This internal trade agenda does little to compensate for major economic losses attributable to the Trump tariffs, as promised by the federal and several provincial governments,' the report states. 'Quite the opposite.' 'While any benefits are limited to a small subset of the economy, the real cost is that they leave both federal and provincial governments with fewer tools to navigate the economic and environmental uncertainty ahead,' it also states. In an interview with CTV Question Period last month, pressed several times by host Vassy Kapelos on the $200-billlion figure, Freeland conceded there are 'different estimates' from economists on how much a Canada-wide free-trade deal could generate. 'For me at the end of the day, we don't know for sure, but everyone is agreed this is going to be a good thing,' Freeland said, pointing to a roundtable she held with leading economists the previous week. 'It will make our economy stronger. It will make us richer at a time when Canadian businesses are struggling to export their goods to the U.S.' Some provinces have been taking action to remove some internal trade barriers themselves by signing agreements and memoranda of understanding to do so. Monday's deal between Ontario and Alberta, for example, will see Alberta prioritize made-in-Canada vehicles for its government fleets, while Ontario has agreed to purchase more alcoholic beverages from Alberta. The committee on internal trade — made up of provincial ministers and premiers representing all of Canada's provinces and territories — is also set to convene in Quebec City this week. Members are expected to lay out any progress individual jurisdictions have made to scrap their own exceptions under the trade agreement. With files from CTV News' Rachel Aiello and Colton Praill
Vancouver Sun
01-07-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. makes gains on breaking down interprovincial trade barriers: CFIB
B.C. improved its ranking to a B+ grade on the Canadian Federation of Independent Business' 2025 State of Internal Trade report, up from a B in 2024, but it still has 'a lot more work to do,' according to Ryan Mitton, CFIB's director of legislative affairs for B.C. The federation released its latest report card on interprovincial trade on Monday and credited B.C.'s gain on legislation that dropped most of its barriers to trade with other provinces as one measure to protect the province from external threats. Mitton said eliminating trade barriers between provinces 'couldn't be more critical' at a time when threatened U.S. tariffs are starting to do real damage to the Canadian economy. Stay on top of the latest real estate news and home design trends. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Westcoast Homes will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'Really, the big thing is, we've seen so much momentum just in the last six months, more even than in the six years since the 2017 Canada Free Trade Agreement,' Mitton added. In B.C., this included a section in the province's economic stabilization act that calls for the unilateral recognition in this province of most goods and services produced in other provinces, Mitton said. However, while B.C. has lifted its restrictions on direct-to-consumer shipments of wine, Mitton said it has left similar restrictions on direct shipments of craft beer and spirits. And although B.C. has improved on its recognition of professional and trades certifications from other provinces, Mitton added that B.C. still hasn't set a schedule for the approval of workers certified in other provinces. 'The danger at this point is that we lose sight of that (progress). We need to keep the movement going.' Nova Scotia earned top marks on the Canadian Federation of Independent Business report card with an A grade because it was the first province to implement mutual recognition legislation, followed closely by Ontario, which earned a slightly lower A grade by unilaterally eliminating all of the exemptions to the Canada Free Trade Agreement that it maintained. Manitoba was the next closest with an A-, and B.C., with its B+ rounded out the top four provinces. The federal government, which included the elimination of its exemptions to the CFTA in legislation, dubbed the One Canadian Economy bill by Prime Minister Mark Carney, earned a B. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business argues that the stakes in smoothing over interprovincial trade are high with one 2019 International Monetary Fund estimate determining eliminating barriers would be up to a seven per cent boost to Canadian GDP. Mitton said that could be as much as a $200 billion boost to Canada's economy, $50 billion to B.C. 'We know competition is good for business and it allows them opportunities to expand their markets, hire more people, and invest in their businesses,' Mitton added. Other economists, however, question the size of those estimated gains on the premise that the vast majority of goods and services that move across provincial borders do so without any barriers. 'When we look at what actual trade barriers exist, the list is very small — alcohol sales, some minor trucking regulations, and government procurement policies,' wrote Marc Lee, a senior economist with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives wrote in a February commentary on interprovincial trade. Lee said there is work to do in some areas, such as credential recognition of skilled workers moving from province to province. And there are also risks in the mutual recognition of regulations on industries from province to province. For example, Lee said trucking regulations in geographically flat Saskatchewan might not be appropriate for more mountainous B.C. He argued 'mutual recognition' could result in provinces being forced to accept the least stringent rules for safety, environmental and consumer protection. Read the 2025 State of Internal Trade report . depenner@
