It is described as a historic step towards freer trade within Canada by the federal government.
Ottawa says it has removed all remaining federal exceptions from the Canada Free Trade Agreement.
Most of the 53 exceptions removed focused on procurement, the government said in a news release on Monday.
“Today’s announcement builds on the government’s efforts to strengthen the Canadian economy,” said the release.
“The federal government will continue to show leadership in this area, and work with provinces and territories to strengthen the CFTA, advance mutual recognition, and ensure seamless labour mobility within Canada.”
Provincial and territorial governments have also committed to undertaking a review of their respective exceptions under the agreement.
Federal officials said they have made “great progress” so far, with the results set to be announced at an upcoming meeting of the Committee on Internal Trade.
“We are moving quickly on commitments to improve labour mobility for workers across the country, implement mutual recognition agreements to gets goods and services moving, and removing duplication of requirements which for too long have created extra costs and delays for Canadian businesses and workers,” Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland said in the release.
“We will create one Canadian economy; one with more opportunities for Canadian businesses and Canadian workers, an economy that will put more money in the pocket of every Canadian.”
More than $530 billion worth of goods and services moved across provincial and territorial borders in 2023, accounting for nearly 20 per cent of Canada’s gross domestic product.
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