TORONTO — Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, is following through on Premier Doug Ford’s pledge to accelerate the removal of internal trade barriers to help businesses create jobs, attract investment and bring prosperity to every corner of the country.
Minister Fedeli has formally signaled Ontario’s support to modify the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) to allow federal, provincial and territorial governments (Parties) to independently remove unnecessary restrictions to internal trade. The CFTA has over 100 pages of exceptions maintained by Parties that distort and block the flow of trade across the country. Many of these exceptions are outdated and act as unnecessary barriers for businesses.
“To compete and succeed in today’s fast-paced economy, the government must move at the speed of business – that means having the ability to quickly and effectively remove unnecessary burdens and barriers for business,” said Fedeli. “This amendment to the CFTA will give federal, provincial and territorial partners the autonomy they need to save time, save money and honour the true intention of the Agreement.”
The proposed amendment to the CFTA contains safeguards to ensure that any modifications made to existing exceptions do not result in new barriers or restrictions for businesses from other Parties.
Ontario, along with Alberta and Saskatchewan, continues to encourage other jurisdictions to join efforts to make Canada Open for Business and take concrete steps to further reduce or remove barriers that obstruct the flow of trade nationwide.