As Canada continues to deal with the fallout and uncertainty stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff regime, the Ford government is moving to loosen interprovincial trade and regulatory rules in Ontario.
Dubbed the ‘Protect Ontario Through Free Trade in Canada Act,’ provincial officials are looking to cut various regulations, as well as to make it easier for certain regulated workers new to Ontario to begin working while registration processes are being carried out, and for alcohol producers to sell products directly to consumers in other provinces.
Ontario officials said interprovincial trade barriers cost the Canadian economy up to $200 billion and reduce the country’s gross domestic product by around eight per cent annually.
One of the biggest moves under the proposed law is centred around expanding labour mobility.
Workers in certain industries, such as medical professionals and people who work in the trades, currently need to wait to work for an unspecified time as they’re certified under the corresponding regulatory bodies in Ontario. Under the new law, employees moving to Ontario would be covered under an “as-of-right” entry process where they could work for up to six months while the formal registration process continues.
For people looking to buy alcohol products from other provinces and territories, it could get a little easier under the proposed law.
Consumers looking to buy wine from British Columbia, for example, need to either go through the LCBO or bring it back to Ontario personally. Going forward, if there are deals signed with reciprocating provinces and territories, consumers can buy and ship from the producers directly. It would also allow companies in Ontario to sell directly to residents in other provinces too.
Meanwhile, officials said they’re looking to sign reciprocating deals with other provincial governments and to harmonize certain requirements and rules. Examples of cutting regulations included allowing high-visibility safety gear approved for use in Ontario to be used in other provinces and developing universal rules for trucking signage, flags and lighting (truck operators currently might need to stop to switch equipment).
The move to loosen interprovincial trade regulations in the province is the first piece of legislation to be introduced by the Ford government following the Ontario election in February.
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston were both at Queen’s Park on Wednesday to each sign a memorandum of understanding with Premier Doug Ford to begin removing trade barriers.
More to come.
