The Government of Manitoba’s introduction of The Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act on May 22 is a meaningful step toward eliminating interprovincial trade barriers and fostering greater economic integration across Canada.
This legislation enables Manitoba to recognize goods and services from other provinces and territories that meet comparable standards, improving the flow of trade across provincial borders and easing the regulatory burden on businesses. It also signals Manitoba’s intent to work collaboratively with its counterparts across the country to strengthen the internal market.
This is exactly the type of action the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce called for in March when we met with Premier Doug Ford, Chair of the Council of the Federation, to present our policy recommendations through the Chambers of the Federation initiative. Our policy framework, developed in partnership with provincial and territorial chambers across Canada, emphasized the need for bold, practical solutions to unlock Canada’s economic potential by removing outdated and unnecessary trade restrictions.
The introduction of Manitoba’s legislation also comes on the heels of a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this month between the Governments of Manitoba and Ontario to advance mutual recognition of goods and services and deepen economic cooperation. These are encouraging signs of momentum – and clear wins – for the chamber network and for the businesses we represent.
That said, there is room for improvement. Notably, the legislation does not address labour mobility, an issue that remains a significant barrier to fully unlocking interprovincial economic opportunities. We look forward to working with the Manitoba government to ensure that future efforts include meaningful measures to support the free movement of workers across provinces.
Given the climate of geopolitical uncertainty, dismantling interprovincial trade barriers – the rules, regulations, or restrictions that make it harder for businesses to buy, sell, or move goods and services between provinces – is no longer an option; it’s a necessity. Many interprovincial trade barriers come from provincial regulations, like licensing, certification rules, or differing standards. Without coordination amongst provinces, these rules persist or even multiply, making it difficult for businesses to operate freely across borders.
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce applauds this important legislative milestone. It marks meaningful progress toward a more open and prosperous Canada, and we are encouraged to see Manitoba stepping forward as a leader in this space. We will continue to advocate for thoughtful, business-informed implementation and look forward to collaborating with government and our chamber partners across the country as this work advances.
Read the Province of Manitoba’s news release about the new Bill: Manitoba Government introduces legislation to break down interprovincial trade barriers
Read the full Bill: Bill 47
