Commentary
In an economic statement released by the federal government in fall 2024, it was estimated that Canada could increase its GDP per capita by $2,900 through liberalization of internal trade in goods. The issue of interprovincial trade barriers became even more acute when a trade war with the United States erupted. Canadians were inspired to buy locally, but discovered that many goods were easier or more inexpensive to purchase from American or even overseas sources due to regulatory roadblocks between provinces.
Prime Minister Mark Carney recognized the issue and made a bold promise to remove the federal barriers to interprovincial trade by July 1. The date is fast approaching, and Carney must make solid progress with Canadian premiers at the first ministers’ summit to be held June 2 in Saskatoon….