Houston pushes for momentum on free trade within Canada

Nova Scotia’s Premier Tim Houston is determined to push for the removal of internal trade barriers within Canada, especially in light of the economic strain caused by tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. During a meeting with other trade ministers in Toronto last Friday, Houston expressed his disappointment in the lack of urgency displayed by some ministers in addressing this issue.

Despite this setback, Houston remains optimistic about the possibility of making progress in eliminating trade barriers. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among premiers and the federal government to achieve this goal. Houston’s government recently introduced the Free Trade and Mobility within Canada Act, which aims to eliminate barriers with provinces that pass similar legislation.

Under this act, goods manufactured in other provinces or territories would be treated the same as products produced in Nova Scotia. This would eliminate the need for additional fees or testing requirements for goods coming into the province from other Canadian jurisdictions. Additionally, service providers and licensed professionals who are properly certified would be recognized as if they were licensed in Nova Scotia.

Houston has received support from Ontario and British Columbia for this initiative, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and B.C. Premier David Eby expressing interest in joining forces with Nova Scotia. Ford even took to social media to declare his support, stating, “Count me in.” Eby emphasized the importance of a mutual recognition approach, where standards accepted in one province would be recognized in others with limited exceptions.

The federal minister has highlighted the potential economic benefits of eliminating internal trade barriers, estimating that it could add an extra $200 billion to the Canadian economy and help mitigate the impact of U.S. tariffs. Houston is determined to continue pushing for progress in this area, believing that Ontario’s support, as the largest province, will lead to significant momentum.

As Nova Scotia continues to lead the way in dismantling internal trade barriers, it is clear that collaboration and cooperation among provinces are essential in boosting economic growth and resilience in the face of external challenges. With a united effort, Canada can work towards a more seamless and efficient internal trade system that benefits all regions of the country.