Latest news with #internaltrade
Globe and Mail
08-07-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Nine provinces, Yukon aim to launch direct-to-consumer alcohol sales by May
Nine provinces and one territory have agreed to allow direct-to-consumer alcohol sales between their jurisdictions and are aiming to do so by May, 2026. Federal, provincial and territorial representatives on the Committee on Internal Trade announced on Tuesday that all provinces – with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador – and the Yukon have signed a memorandum of understanding to allow DTC sales. The non-binding agreement builds on a commitment made in March to remove barriers to alcohol sales, though progress has proven to be slower than initially promised. 'I think that there was a lot of optimism when we saw a number of provinces say that they're getting their frameworks in place,' said Ryan Mallough, vice-president of legislative affairs and communications at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. 'And to hear that we're about a year away is a little bit disappointing.' Ontario, Nova Scotia premiers say they won't follow Alberta in buying U.S. alcohol again Opinion: Internal free trade by Canada Day? It'll take longer than that Christopher Skeete, Quebec's minister for the economy, said the provincial and territorial governments are taking their time with establishing DTC sales to ensure they get it right. 'We're starting from scratch, something that's never been done before in Canadian history – that is to align all the provinces for sales, direct sales to consumers of alcohol,' Mr. Skeete said in a news conference Tuesday. 'That means making sure that, for instance, if you're shipping your goods from British Columbia and you want to ship it to Quebec, we need to make sure that the taxation is right.' In March, the federal government and all provinces, with the exception of Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, agreed to remove barriers to alcohol sales. Former internal trade minister Anita Anand told The Globe and Mail at the time that the agreement would lead to direct-to-consumer sales in some jurisdictions within weeks. Since then, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has signed several memorandums of understanding on internal trade with other provinces that commit to working on direct-to-consumer sales. Several provinces have also made the necessary legislative changes to allow them to move forward with DTC sales. And on Tuesday, PEI and the Yukon joined the other provinces by committing to establishing DTC sales as well. But the vow to rapidly knock down internal trade barriers to counteract U.S. tariffs has not come to fruition. Ontario and Manitoba missed their June 30 deadline to reach a bilateral deal. Now, nine jurisdictions will have to negotiate with one another to establish their own agreements. Jean-Claude D'Amours, New Brunswick's minister of intergovernmental affairs, said his province will be ready to launch direct-to-consumer sales in a month, but the timeline will depend on when other provinces will be ready to do the same. Beer Canada president CJ Hélie said in a recent interview that provinces are trying to ensure that the fiscal and regulatory framework to any DTC sales program is fair, so that producers selling directly to consumers in another jurisdiction are subject to the same fees and rules that a local producer faces. Mr. Hélie said that while his organization supports government efforts to allow direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, brewers don't stand to benefit much from the move. That's because beer is a low-priced product relative to its weight, meaning shipping it directly to customers in another jurisdiction would add a lot to its cost. 'It's important symbolically that consumers should be able to access the beer brands they want, how they want, when they want, but we do not see a commercial opportunity there,' Mr. Hélie said.
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
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Politicians overstating benefits of scrapping internal trade barriers: think tank
OTTAWA — A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is dismissing moves by the federal government and Canada's premiers to break down internal trade barriers as little more than 'political theatre.' It lands just ahead of the country's internal trade ministers meeting in Quebec City this week, where they are expected to talk about their next steps as they rush to remove rules hampering cross-provincial trade. Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed throughout the spring election to forge 'one Canadian economy' with the premiers by eliminating internal barriers to trade and labour mobility in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland has pointed to studies that say internal trade barriers amount to a seven per cent tariff that Canada imposes on itself, and that removing them could boost the economy by up to $200 billion. But the left-leaning think tank's report released this morning reviews the steps taken by Ottawa and the provinces to remove red tape and argues they will do little to mitigate the tariff threat or significantly boost the economy. The study authors say federal and provincial politicians have only been able to point to a handful of examples where getting rid of overlapping regulations could have an impact. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025. The Canadian Press
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Politicians overstating benefits of scrapping internal trade barriers: think tank
OTTAWA — A new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is dismissing moves by the federal government and Canada's premiers to break down internal trade barriers as little more than "political theatre." It lands just ahead of the country's internal trade ministers meeting in Quebec City this week, where they are expected to talk about their next steps as they rush to remove rules hampering cross-provincial trade. Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed throughout the spring election to forge "one Canadian economy" with the premiers by eliminating internal barriers to trade and labour mobility in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland has pointed to studies that say internal trade barriers amount to a seven per cent tariff that Canada imposes on itself, and that removing them could boost the economy by up to $200 billion. But the left-leaning think tank's report released this morning reviews the steps taken by Ottawa and the provinces to remove red tape and argues they will do little to mitigate the tariff threat or significantly boost the economy. The study authors say federal and provincial politicians have only been able to point to a handful of examples where getting rid of overlapping regulations could have an impact. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025. The Canadian Press Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Melden Sie sich an, um Ihr Portfolio aufzurufen. Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten Fehler beim Abrufen der Daten
Globe and Mail
30-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Internal free trade by Canada Day? It'll take longer than that
As Prime Minister Mark Carney swept to power this spring, he vowed to establish internal free trade by Canada Day to blunt the impact of the U.S.-driven trade war. Reality is proving more complicated. In recent months, the federal government and several provinces have introduced legislation aimed at reducing regulatory hurdles between jurisdictions and to recognize labour credentials across the country. The goal is to dismantle rules that hinder the flow of goods, services and workers within Canada. But governments still have much work to do, and the responsibility for tearing down barriers will eventually fall on regulators who will have to implement the new laws. Success will ultimately be based on whether internal trade increases in the months and years to come. 'July 1 is just the beginning,' said Ryan Manucha, an internal trade researcher with the C.D. Howe Institute. A guide to The Globe's Canada Day coverage Even with new laws in place or about to be passed, provincial governments still have to work out how mutual recognition will apply. Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have drawn up bills to accept regulatory standards set out by other provinces and territories. But the laws are written differently from province to province, with some jurisdictions including more carve-outs than others. Quebec Minister for the Economy Christopher Skeete has already indicated, for example, that his government will exclude the construction industry from new credential recognition rules, arguing that other provinces don't have the equivalent certificates Quebec requires. Meanwhile, Manitoba excluded goods and services provided by Crown corporations from its new law. That means Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, for example, will not have to respect the new rules. 'You've seen all this provincial legislation, but it looks and smells quite different across the country. And it's my fear that it confuses the marketplace,' Mr. Manucha said. Indeed, the regulatory landscape is far from simplified with the new patchwork of legislation. Businesses have to keep track of which provinces have struck agreements, and which exceptions apply. In its annual report card on interprovincial trade released Monday, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business called the policy shifts across jurisdictions a 'potential turning point.' But the report also lists all the exceptions made in the new laws. 'It's too early to tell how far this legislation goes. It has the potential to go quite far and be very good. At the same time, seven jurisdictions approaching it seven different ways gives us reason for pause,' Ryan Mallough, CFIB's vice-president of legislative affairs and communications, said in an interview. 'There's absolutely potential for this to become a patchwork and very confusing very quickly, if they all really deviate from doing the same things,' he added. Among the CFIB's recommendations is the publication of a consolidated list of trade exceptions written in plain language for businesses. Meanwhile, Ottawa still has to work out the regulations that will govern new federal legislation on internal trade, which will also help guide regulators on how to implement the law. While most trade barriers are provincial, the federal government also regulates the flow of some goods and services. For example, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency requires businesses to obtain licences when packaging food for interprovincial trade. The Carney government's Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act, which became law last Friday, establishes that a good, service or worker compliant with provincial or territorial requirements also meets any comparable federal requirements. Federal regulators, in turn, are allowed to determine what exactly is 'comparable.' 'There's a lot of discretion, a lot of latitude, being given to the regulatory authorities in that bill,' Mr. Manucha said. Privy Council Office spokesperson Daniel Savoie told The Globe and Mail the federal government will work on 'further defining comparable regulations' as it implements the new law. 'The regulations will also establish a process to exclude certain federal requirements from the application of the legislation if there are unacceptable risks to the health, safety and security of Canadians, their social and economic well-being, the environment or international trade objectives,' Mr. Savoie said in a statement. And the government will publish a plain-language user guide to help businesses and workers, he said. On Monday, Ottawa announced that it is removing all its remaining exceptions to the Canada Free Trade Agreement. Mr. Mallough said it will likely take until the fall to evaluate the new laws, noting there's also a national effort under way to facilitate the mutual recognition of regulations between jurisdictions. Mr. Carney announced in early June that a mutual recognition agreement would be implemented by December, though it's unclear how that will affect provincial legislation that's already been introduced. The economic benefits of removing internal trade barriers will take even longer to assess. Mr. Manucha said research suggests results start showing up in a couple of years, but the impact will likely be felt over five to 10 years. Meanwhile, provinces have yet to make progress on direct-to-consumer alcohol sales. British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have agreed to work on alcohol sales between interested provinces. Ontario has also signed several memorandums of understanding with other provinces that commit to reaching a framework, and it has pledged to reach a bilateral deal with Manitoba by June 30. Colin Blachar, a spokesperson for Ontario's Finance Minister, told The Globe on Monday that details of a deal with Manitoba are still being finalized, and that an agreement will likely be reached in the near future. With a report from The Canadian Press
