Industry groups in Canada sigh of relief on Monday when the American president Donald Trump agreed to suspend prices in Canada after a telephone call with the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
But Canada is not yet out of the woods, they support, and it’s time to dismantle some Interprorciales commercial barriers To soften the impact of future prices, Trump could decide to impose.
The internal trade committee of Canada met last week to discuss how to open trade between the provinces of Canada.
“By working with our provincial and territorial colleagues to eliminate obstacles to commercial mobility and labor, we can unlock new market opportunities, attract investments and stimulate economic growth,” said Anita Anand, Minister of Transport and Internal Commerce Réunion.
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce says it is encouraging to see the political momentum on the abolition of barriers between the provinces, but it must be maintained.
“With the growing uncertainty of our trade relations with the United States, we cannot afford to ignore the opportunities to strengthen trade within our own borders,” said Global News Randall Zalazar, director government relations in the House.
“Governments across Canada must maintain this momentum, both to stimulate our economy and improve long -term stability.”
Dennis Darby, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, told Global News in the short term, Canada should prepare to support any business that would undergo losses or Canadians who would lose their jobs following Threatened prices of Trump.
But there are long-term problems that Canada should start to approach now, he said.
“We have to start examining these long-term things, everything, interprovincial commercial barriers to long-term means of attracting more investments,” he said.
“If the United States did not exist and we had to exchange East-West (in Canada), we are not as set up to do so that we could be.”
The economic declaration of the 2024 fall quoted the number of international monetary funds on the amount of internal trade opening could increase the economy of Canada.
“According to a study by the International Monetary Fund, Canada could increase its GDP per capita by 4% – or $ 2,900 per capita estimated in 2023 dollars thanks to the liberalization of the internal trade in goods,” said the budgetary document.
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Matt Poirier, vice-president of the Retail Council of Canada, said that the elimination of regulatory obstacles would make trade more effective, but it is not very hopeful.
“This is one of these plea cemeteries that everyone talks about. And we are talking in circles but nothing is really done, “he said.
Among the sectors that look closely, there is agriculture, which is deduced from export.
“More than 80% of what we cultivate in Canada – wheat, barley, canola – we export internationally,” said Kyle Larkin, executive director of Grain Growers of Canada.
Larkin said that this is due to the fact that many cereal farmers have trouble led their own products to cereal elevators in neighboring provinces due to various truck regulations.
Although most cereal farmers would not care about two hours on a provincial border, it’s not as simple as that.
“A province can allow you a maximum weight of X, while another province can allow a lower weight. You are therefore not allowed to transport as many cereals as you wish. And you may have to go back and forth. This causes major ineffectiveness in the way cereal farmers deliver their cereal, “he said.
Poirier said that the retail sector of Canada has long called for the harmonization of transport corridors.
“If a semi-trailer tractor must stop at the Manitoba border and win its wagon because it is a set of different regulations in Ontario or Alberta or by making a long way by diverting the United States, it A cost, “he said.
A professional license exchange in a province should be reinstalled to work in another province. Darby said Ottawa should work to facilitate someone’s accreditation in another province.
“If you are a welder in Alberta and you have satisfied the requirements, it should be enough to work in Ontario, Quebec or Atlantic Canada,” he said.
Zalazar, from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, said most of the provinces are open to mutually recognizing accreditation, with three notable retained.
“A mutual recognition pilot project is already in motion, with seven provinces and three territories on board. If the remaining three provinces – British Columbia, Quebec and New Brunswick – intervene and join, we could see real economic advantages. The Government of Canada estimates (this would give) an increase of $ 200 billion in the economy of Canada, “said Zalazar.
Darby said this would not necessarily mean the fall in professional standards.
“Canada has been involved in mutual recognition regulations to Europe and the United States for years and years. It does not tend to be the lowest common denominator (which is accepted). He tends to be who has the best regulation, which is the most complete and the fairest, “he said.
What about alcohol sales?
Some experts say that a sector where consumers often feel the effects of these obstacles are the sale and purchase of alcohol on provincial lines.
Some provinces, however, change course.
From this month, British Columbia vineyards can now directly ship wine to consumers in Alberta, the result of an interprintable agreement that was agreed from last year.
The process allows Albertans to control wine at more than 300 vineyards before JC in exchange for the government of Alberta obtaining its share of the applicable taxes.
The agreement will take place for a year and will be assessed.
Prime Minister David Eby said in a statement that the new direct consumers’ program is “a victory” for vineyards and communities that depend on industry.
“By working in collaboration with Alberta, we support economic growth and the strengthening of links between our provinces,” Eby said in a press release.
Michelle Wasylyshen, president and chief executive officer of Ontario Craft Winerries, said that the feeling “buying the Canadian”, was the time to facilitate alcohol trade between the provinces.
“Anything that can be done to reduce barriers for VQA wines has been expected for a long time. In a first step, we support the capacity of consumers to control Canadian VQA wine directly at home-wherever the cellar is and wherever they live in Canada, “she said.
Larkin said that facilitating the transport of intermediary goods in the province will help consumers.
“Many Canadian barley goes to the craft brasseries and Canadian distilleries. But many of these processing plants, whether breweries or distilleries, are hampered by some of our internal commercial barriers, “he said.
“This is why when you go to the alcohol store, you see a lot of American products. What we would like to see are more Canadian products. »»