Minister Moore Continues Push for Free and Open Trade in Canada

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 5, 2014) - Industry Canada

Industry Minister James Moore today addressed the Vancouver Board of Trade about the Harper Government's commitment to breaking down internal trade barriers that harm the national economy and hurt Canadian businesses, workers and consumers.

During the luncheon address, Minister Moore announced the launch of a request for proposals to engage Canada's expertise in creating an Internal Trade Barriers Index. This index will play a key role in identifying measures that restrict trade and in better determining priority areas to make real progress on improving internal trade in Canada.

The Minister also outlined One Canada, One National Economy: Modernizing Internal Trade in Canada, the federal proposal to update the current Agreement on Internal Trade. The proposal puts forward options for enhancing trade within Canada and was developed following Minister Moore's recent national dialogue with Canadian businesses, workers and consumers, during which he heard first-hand how these barriers impede trade and deter competition in our national economy.

At the recent Council of the Federation meeting, the premiers agreed to the comprehensive renewal of the Agreement on Internal Trade. The Government of Canada will continue to work with the provinces and territories to reform the Agreement, bringing it in line with the current global economic reality.

Quick facts

• When the Agreement on Internal Trade came into effect nearly 20 years ago, Canada had concluded trade agreements with only two countries. Today, we have agreements in force or being finalized with 43 countries, giving Canadian businesses preferential access to over 1.1 billion consumers worldwide.
  
  
• One Canada, One National Economy: Modernizing Internal Trade in Canada outlines two potential paths for federal, provincial and territorial partners to advance a modern internal trade framework: targeted reform that addresses priority areas of concern or a complete redesign of the Agreement on Internal Trade to bring it in line with recent international trade agreements.
  
  
• Nearly 40 percent of Canada's trade occurs within its borders.
  
  
• A request for proposals to create a new Internal Trade Barriers Index was launched on September 5, 2014. As outlined in Economic Action Plan 2014, the index will increase knowledge of the barriers to domestic trade and help governments identify priority areas for action.
  
  

Quotes

"Eliminating internal trade barriers would create jobs, boost economic growth and strengthen Canada's internal market by helping to move goods and services more freely across Canada. The news that the premiers agreed in principle to expand and modernize free trade more broadly within Canada is encouraging. I look forward to continuing to work with the provinces and territories to open trade within Canada."

- James Moore, Minister of Industry and Minister Responsible for British Columbia

"The Vancouver Board of Trade strongly supports the federal government's goal of eliminating barriers to internal trade. This is an issue that affects many of our 5,000 business members across B.C.-including those in the transportation sector, agriculture and our world-renowned wineries. Under current regulations, it's easier for some B.C. companies to do business with Alabama than with Alberta. Later this month, we'll champion this issue, alongside the London Chamber of Commerce, at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce AGM, with the hope of making it national policy for business organizations across the country."

- Iain Black, President and CEO, Vancouver Board of Trade

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