Latest news with #freeTrade
CBC
3 hours ago
- Business
- CBC
N.B. premier optimistic about inter-provincial free trade following first ministers' meeting
Social Sharing New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt is hoping to see plenty of movement toward free trade over the next month, but one business group says the province could be doing more. Following meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney and other premiers in Saskatoon, Holt said she's optimistic that common ground can be found to allow greater mobility of goods and skilled labour across the country. "New Brunswick's been sort of at the table pushing the group at the federal, provincial and territorial table to move aggressively on this," she told reporters Monday night. Carney has promised federal legislation targeting barriers under Ottawa's jurisdiction by Canada Day, which could target anything from energy efficiency standards to environmental and regulatory assessments on major projects. But he praised provinces for how they've been working to reduce barriers to trade. "I can't keep up with the flurry of announcements of free trade agreements between provinces across the country," he said. WATCH | What has New Brunswick actually done for inter-provincial trade? Holt says N.B. is a leader in removing trade barriers. The truth is more complicated 2 hours ago Duration 2:52 "The federal government will do its part tabling legislation very shortly to eliminate federal barriers to inter-provincial movement of goods and people and also to put in place an ability to advance projects of national interest." So far, New Brunswick has dropped a number of procurement exemptions for provincial agencies and has signed memorandums of understanding (MOU) with Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador to explore greater labour mobility. The province has also passed legislation allowing for greater sales of out-of-province alcohol, but that will require agreement from other provinces to take effect. Another piece of legislation will smooth out licensing requirements for regulated workers who are certified in other provinces, allowing them to work while applying for certification with the corresponding New Brunswick body. However, the Atlantic vice-president with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business said the province could go further, by recognizing certification in other provinces. "Essentially the province is allowing people to come in to work, but it's in view of getting their certification," said Louis-Philippe Gauthier. "Our contention would be that if somebody is certified by a professional association in one province, they should be allowed to practise in another. That's just a simple reality." Provinces like Nova Scotia and Ontario are at various stages of passing legislation to do just that. A number of MOUs have been signed between individual provinces, as they look to drop restrictions over certain goods and services. Holt has even proposed an Atlantic free trade zone, with no trade restrictions among neighbouring provinces. While Gauthier said the momentum is positive, he warns that a new patchwork of differing agreements may not be much better than the free trade agreement the provinces have now. "Allowing the government to still impose restrictions just creates a Canadian trade agreement 2.0, where we're just going to see 169 different MOUs signed between each and every province and territory and that's not necessarily desirable," he said.
CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Manitoba politicians reach deal to speed passage of free trade bill through legislature
Social Sharing Manitoba politicians reached a deal to speed passage of a free trade bill Monday, hours before the legislature was to break for the summer. More than 30 other bills were also set to be approved on the last day of the spring sitting. The trade bill, based on a deal with Ontario, would remove trade and labour barriers for some goods and services between Manitoba and other jurisdictions that pass similar laws. Other provinces have recently joined the effort, as part of a national plan to boost the economy and respond to tariffs imposed by the United States. The NDP government wanted the bill passed quickly, without public hearings that are normally mandatory in Manitoba, in time for July 1. The Opposition Progressive Conservatives initially rejected demands to quickly approve the bill and unsuccessfully proposed amendments they said would have broadened it. One proposal would have reduced the number of provincial Crown corporations exempt from freer trade requirements. It was rejected by the NDP. PC Leader Obby Khan had also hoped for a compromise that would have seen the NDP agree to pass some Opposition bills in exchange for fast-tracking the trade bill. He didn't get that promise, but agreed to pass the trade bill anyway. "These are unprecedented times we are facing," Khan told reporters Monday. "Regardless of your political stripe, we must stand shoulder to shoulder against (U.S. President Donald) Trump's tariffs and for a stronger Canada." Among the dozens of other bills headed to final approval Monday night was one to add gender expression to the human rights code — a move that would include protections for people to be called by their preferred pronouns. The bill, similar to laws already in place in most other provinces, was met with a mixture of praise and opposition at public hearings. Another bill would change highway traffic laws to impose new minimum distances for drivers to maintain when coming across snowplows and emergency vehicles. A change to the Public Health Act would eliminate the option of putting people with communicable diseases in jail, and divert them to a hospital or other health facility instead. The Public School Act was amended to expand school nutrition programs across the province. "We're incredibly proud of the work that we've done," NDP House leader Nahanni Fontaine said. The government did not get all of its legislative agenda passed, however. A bill to enact tax changes announced in the spring budget, including a change to personal income taxes that will no longer raise tax brackets in line with inflation, will not pass until after the legislature reconvenes in the fall. The PCs used their right under House rules to hold back five other bills for further debate when the legislature resumes. One bill includes several proposed changes to observances at schools. O Canada would have to be sung daily, and a little-used provision that required God Save the King to be played would be eliminated. The PCs said the bill would remove the royal anthem as an optional patriotic observance. Another bill held back until fall would lower political donation limits and require political parties to have a code of conduct for election advertising. A third bill would forbid liquor licences in urban convenience stores and gas stations — a move the PCs say will affect small businesses and customer choice in the few locations where such licences have been issued. The fall legislature sitting is scheduled to start Oct. 1.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ontario signs deals with Saskatchewan, P.E.I. and Alberta to reduce trade barriers
Amid economic uncertainty in Canada due in part to U.S. tariffs, the Ontario government has reached agreements with Saskatchewan, Alberta and Prince Edward Island, with the aim of taking steps to reduce trade barriers among the provinces. Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed separate memorandums of understanding (MOU) with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz in Saskatoon on Sunday ahead of a first ministers' meeting there. Ontario signed an MOU with Manitoba in May and with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in April. Ford, who held a news conference only with Moe about the MOU, said the province is "standing up for free trade" within Canada by signing such agreements, adding that they're an attempt to offset the impact of U.S. tariffs on the Canadian economy. "Our government is on a mission to protect Ontario and to protect Canada," he told reporters in Saskatoon. "At a time when President [Donald] Trump is taking direct aim at our economy — and make no mistake about it, he wants to annihilate our economy, no matter if it's manufacturing in Ontario or any other jurisdiction that he can get his hands on, bring it down to the U.S. — and we're going to fight like we've never fought before, not just to protect Ontario but to protect the rest of our our country." Ford said the agreement aims to not only increase the standard of living in Ontario and Saskatchewan but to improve investor confidence and allow for the free movement of their "best and most in-demand" workers. "We're doing this by reducing barriers to internal trade.... We need to build a more competitive, more resilient, more self-reliant Canadian economy." Saskatchewan's Moe said the MOU is "yet one more way that we are able to stand strong for our provinces, and collectively as provinces, stand strong for our country and all the people who call Canada home." He said both he and Ford have long been advocates of streamlining trade across the country. "It shouldn't be easier to trade with other countries than it is to trade between the Canadian provinces of our nation," Moe told reporters. "It's more important now, I would say, than ever for us to prioritize removing any and all barriers that we have that limit flow of trade and limit flow of professionals from moving across Canada," he said. "It's very greatly appreciated to have another like-minded province join us on that front and to continue to put words into action." Memo to strengthen respective economies, Moe says Moe said the MOU contains mutual recognition and reciprocity — in particular, mutual recognition of goods, workers and investment. The agreement will only strengthen their respective economies, benefit workers and businesses and enhance the Canadian economy, he said. According to the MOU, Ontario and Saskatchewan pledge to build on "enabling legislation" to remove internal trade barriers to boost the flow of goods, services, investment and workers, while maintaining and strengthening the levels of public safety. WATCH | Ontario and Manitoba sign deal to break down trade barriers: Ontario and Saskatchewan agreed that while working to remove trade barriers, they will respect the role of Crown corporations within some provincial industries, while Ontario and Alberta will respect the integrity and role of regulators. Ontario and the other three provinces also agreed to work on improving interprovincial labour mobility, saying they will aim to ensure any good, service or worker deemed acceptable in one province is also deemed acceptable in the other. As well, all agreed to work on a framework to implement a direct-to-consumer sales system of alcohol, "so that producers have easier access to market opportunities across the country, and so that consumers across Canada have greater choice and access to a broader selection of alcoholic beverages." 35% of trade occurs within Canada's borders, Ontario says In a news release on Sunday, Alberta's Smith said: "Together, Alberta and Ontario are taking a big step toward a more open, competitive and united economy." She added: "This agreement is about getting results, making it easier for people to work, do business and grow across provincial lines. It's time to stop letting outdated rules hold us back and show Canadians what real economic leadership looks like." Lantz said in the release: "By eliminating unnecessary trade barriers and streamlining labour mobility, we're fostering a more unified and competitive national economy. Our collaboration with Ontario underscores our commitment to one Canadian economy." According to the Ontario government, 35 per cent of Canada's trade takes place within its borders. In early March, the U.S. imposed tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian exports and 10 per cent on energy product exports from Canada. Later in March, the Trump administration introduced tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian steel and aluminum products, and in early April, it imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian automobiles. Trump has threatened to double the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent on Wednesday.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, left, and Ontario Premier Doug Ford, right, signed a memorandum of understanding to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, in Saskatoon on Sunday.
Amid economic uncertainty in Canada due in part to U.S. tariffs, the Ontario government has reached agreements with Saskatchewan, Alberta and P.E.I., with the aim of taking steps to reduce trade barriers among the provinces. Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed separate memorandums of understanding (MOU) with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz in Saskatoon on Sunday ahead of a first ministers' meeting there. Ontario signed an MOU with Manitoba in May and with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in April. Ford, who only held a news conference with Moe about the MOU, said the province is "standing up for free trade" within Canada by signing such agreements, adding that they're an attempt to offset the impact of U.S. tariffs on the Canadian economy. "Our government is on a mission to protect Ontario and to protect Canada," he told reporters in Saskatoon. "At a time when President [Donald] Trump is taking direct aim at our economy — and make no mistake about it, he wants to annihilate our economy, no matter if it's manufacturing in Ontario or any other jurisdiction that he can get his hands on, bring it down to the U.S. — and we're going to fight like we've never fought before, not just to protect Ontario but to protect the rest of our our country." Ford said the agreement aims to not only increase the standard of living in Ontario and Saskatchewan but to improve investor confidence and allow for the free movement of their "best and most in-demand" workers. "We're doing this by reducing barriers to internal trade.... We need to build a more competitive, more resilient, more self-reliant Canadian economy." Saskatchewan's Moe said the MOU is "yet one more way that we are able to stand strong for our provinces, and collectively as provinces, stand strong for our country and all the people who call Canada home." He said both he and Ford have long been advocates of streamlining trade across the country. "It shouldn't be easier to trade with other countries than it is to trade between the Canadian provinces of our nation," Moe told reporters. "It's more important now, I would say, than ever for us to prioritize removing any and all barriers that we have that limit flow of trade and limit flow of professionals from moving across Canada," he added. "It's very greatly appreciated to have another like-minded province join us on that front and to continue to put words into action." WATCH | Ontario and Manitoba sign deal to break down trade barriers: Memo to strengthen respective economies, Moe says Moe said the MOU contains mutual recognition and reciprocity — in particular, mutual recognition of goods, workers and investment. The agreement will only strengthen their respective economies, benefit workers and businesses and enhance the Canadian economy, he said. According to the MOU, Ontario and Saskatchewan pledge to build on "enabling legislation" to remove internal trade barriers to boost the flow of goods, services, investment and workers, while maintaining and strengthening the levels of public safety and respecting the role of Crown corporations within some provincial industries. Both provinces agreed to work on improving interprovincial labour mobility, saying they will aim to ensure any good, service or worker deemed acceptable in one province is also deemed acceptable in the other. As well, both agreed to work on a framework to implement a direct-to-consumer sales system of alcohol, "so that producers have easier access to market opportunities across the country, and so that consumers across Canada have greater choice and access to a broader selection of alcoholic beverages." 35% of Canada's trade takes place within its borders, Ontario says In a news release on Sunday, Alberta's Smith said: "Together, Alberta and Ontario are taking a big step toward a more open, competitive and united economy." Smith added: "This agreement is about getting results, making it easier for people to work, do business and grow across provincial lines. It's time to stop letting outdated rules hold us back and show Canadians what real economic leadership looks like." Lantz said in the release: "By eliminating unnecessary trade barriers and streamlining labour mobility, we're fostering a more unified and competitive national economy. Our collaboration with Ontario underscores our commitment to one Canadian economy." According to the Ontario government, 35 per cent of Canada's trade takes place within its borders. In early March, the U.S. imposed tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian exports and 10 per cent on energy product exports from Canada. Later in March, the U.S. imposed tariffs of 25 per cent on Canadian steel and aluminum products. In early April, the U.S. imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian automobiles. Trump has threatened to double the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50 per cent on Wednesday.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ontario, Saskatchewan sign free trade agreement in effort to boost economy amid Canada-U.S. tensions
Prior to a meeting of Canada's First Ministers in Saskatoon on Monday, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed an agreement to unlock free trade between the provinces on Sunday.
