Minister Moore in Halifax Discussing Removing Barriers to Internal Trade

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwired - June 19, 2014) - Industry Canada

Industry Minister James Moore was in Halifax today as part of his national tour to engage businesses, consumers and everyday Canadians on the government's plans to break down the barriers to trade within Canada that cripple the national economy and hurt Canadian consumers and businesses.

Minister Moore, in his address to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, championed Canada as a free-trading nation yet described how progress on trade within Canada has not kept up with the success of our international trade agreements. The Minister reinforced that it should not be easier to trade with our international partners than within our own borders. In particular, he highlighted the Harper Government's plans to work with the provinces and territories in examining a rewrite of the antiquated Agreement on Internal Trade to bring it in line with the current global economic reality.

Minister Moore also met with his counterpart from the Province of Nova Scotia and with local business leaders, who discussed regional internal trade issues such as credential recognition across provinces. This is an issue for apprentices, including those in Nova Scotia, because training programs are not consistently aligned across Atlantic Canada or across the country.

The Minister also visited a Halifax-based brewing company, Garrison Brewing Co., where he heard first-hand about the challenges it faces with provincial regulations and marketing its products in other provinces.

Quick facts

• The Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) is an intergovernmental accord on trade within Canada that aims to break down the crippling barriers to trade that hurt our economy.
• Nearly 40 percent of Canada's trade occurs within Canada's borders.
• The creation of a new internal trade indicator, outlined in Economic Action Plan 2014, will increase knowledge of the barriers to domestic trade and help governments identify priority areas for action.

Quotes

"Progress on internal trade has been far too slow and unambitious to prepare Canada for the reality of today's global economy. The bottom line is it should not be easier to trade with other countries than within our own borders. Today's conversations in Halifax are an important step in moving forward on this issue. A modernized Agreement on Internal Trade will better reflect our current economic reality."

- Industry Minister James Moore

"As Garrison is reaching out to new markets across the country, we appreciate any government's efforts to eliminate barriers and support the growth and diversity of the craft beer sector. We welcome initiatives that give Canadians more options and choices to enjoy their favourite craft beer."

- Brian Titus, President of Garrison Brewing

"The Halifax Chamber of Commerce is glad to have the opportunity to provide input from the business community to help address challenges and increase opportunities for internal trade. The Chamber hopes that its views will aid ongoing efforts to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers."

- Valerie Payn, President and CEO, Halifax Chamber of Commerce

Follow @industrycanada on Twitter and use #internaltrade to let us know how internal trade is affecting your business.