Latest news with #CanadianFreeTradeAgreement
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba sets example on trade: CFIB
Manitoba is maintaining its position as a national leader on internal trade, a new report by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business finds. The keystone province received an 'A-' from the CFIB in its State of Internal Trade report, released Monday. Only Nova Scotia and Ontario scored higher, with each province earning an 'A.' (Manitoba had topped last year's list with an 'A-.') Ryan Mallough, CFIB vice-president of legislative affairs and communications, said, generally speaking, the organization has seen positive action across the country in the last year. MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Chuck Davidson, president and CEO of Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, believes Manitoba is heading in the right direction with regards to internal trade. More progress has been made on removing trade barriers within Canada in the past six months than in eight years since the Canadian Free Trade Agreement was signed. 'This year's blown other years out of the water, in terms of progress,' Mallough said, noting the contentious trade relationship between Canada and the U.S. in recent months has given political urgency to internal trade. According to the CFIB, Manitoba sets a strong example by permitting direct-to-consumer alcohol shipments and through Bill 47, its new Fair Trade in Canada Act, which simplifies recognition of goods and services from other provinces. Manitoba has also signed agreements with Ontario and British Columbia to accelerate recognition of goods, services and professional credentials. Despite Manitoba's improvements, challenges remain, per a CFIB news release. Issues such as duplicate regulations, slow approval timelines and a lack of trade-enabling infrastructure continue to hamper the movement of goods, services and labour. The CFIB critiqued the Fair Trade in Canada Act for excluding labour mobility — a point echoed by Chuck Davidson, president of the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce. The more provinces and territories do to make the rules that regulate workers consistent, the better, he said. Manitoba's position as an internal trade leader is 'a good sign,' Davidson said in response to the CFIB report. 'We're heading in the right direction.' Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses said the province already has a labour mobility act, and addressing labour mobility in Bill 47 would have created red tape. 'Our bill is very much in line with breaking down barriers for Manitoba businesses to reach markets right across the country,' Moses said. Manitoba Progressive Conservative finance critic Lauren Stone was not available for comment Monday. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Looking ahead, Mallough said Manitoba can improve by implementing its mutual recognition legislation. Seven different jurisdictions in Canada are taking seven different approaches to mutual recognition, he added, so the CFIB is cautious in its optimism. The premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney have instructed the Committee on Internal Trade to reach a pan-Canadian mutual recognition agreement for December — and the CFIB will be watching those conversations closely. 'Everybody seems to want to get this done and that's what has been the most encouraging over these last six months,' Mallough said. 'At the same time … we want to make sure we don't lose that political momentum. We have not crossed the goal line yet.' Aaron EppReporter Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
a day ago
- Business
Carney promised big changes by Canada Day. Has he delivered?
During the spring campaign, Prime Minister Mark Carney promised a re-elected Liberal government led by him would move fast to solve problems and meet challenges by Canada Day. After his victory, those promises left Carney a little more than 60 days to address issues that have bedevilled previous governments, in some cases, for a long time. Here is a look at the pledges Carney made while he was courting the electorate, how he has done in addressing them and what comes next. Eliminating internal federal trade barriers After becoming prime minister, but before the election, Carney hosted a meeting with the premiers at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. The March 21 meeting was focused on one dominant theme: responding to the existential and political threat presented by U.S. President Donald Trump. Carney told reporters he would address that challenge by tackling the long-standing issue of Canada's internal trade barriers — some economists have said removing them could boost Canada's economy by $200 billion annually. We intend, from a federal level, to have free trade by Canada day, Carney said (new window). WATCH | Carney talks free trade in first meeting with premiers: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Carney pushes for free trade in 1st meeting with premiers In his first meeting with Canada's premiers, Prime Minister Mark Carney pushed for expanding free trade within Canada and major investment in east-west pipelines to further insulate the economy from reliance on the U.S amid the escalating trade war. The prime minister specified from a federal level because most of Canada's internal trade barriers are restrictions that only the provinces can remove. Some have begun that process already, with Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and P.E.I. signing agreements or working with other provinces to remove barriers. Carney's promise to have free trade by Canada Day changed slightly by the time the party's platform was released April 19. It said a Carney-led government would simply unleash free trade in Canada by Canada Day by tabling legislation to eliminate all federal barriers to interprovincial trade and labour mobility and to remove all federal exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. Bill C-5, which passed Parliament on Thursday (new window), will do just that. Verdict: Promise kept. Cutting taxes On the tax front, Carney promised to make Canada more affordable by cancelling the carbon tax, cutting income tax and eliminating the GST for first-time homebuyers on properties under $1 million. In the first few hours of becoming prime minister March 14, Carney signed a prime ministerial directive removing the consumer price on carbon, a policy change that took effect April 1. The pledge to cut the bottom rate of income tax by one percentage point, a 6.6 per cent cut to the amount of tax paid in that bracket, came with the promise it would take effect by Canada Day. All three measures were included in a ways and means motion that passed the House of Commons on June 5. (new window) The motion allows the government to start making changes to the tax code before they are in law — but a bill will still need to be passed. The bill containing the new measures, C-4 (new window), was introduced to the House of Commons in May and passed second reading June 12. Verdict: Promise kept. Joining ReArm Europe Carney said that since becoming prime minister, his government has been talking to the European Union about joining its rearmament plan, ReArm Europe, in order to change how Canada supplies its military. Seventy-five cents of every dollar of capital spending for defence goes to the United States. That's not smart, Carney told CBC's Power & Politics host David Cochrane (new window) on May 27. WATCH | Carney on European military buildup: Début du widget Widget. Passer le widget ? Fin du widget Widget. Retourner au début du widget ? Ottawa in talks on European military buildup Prime Minister Mark Carney said during a one-on-one interview with Power & Politics host David Cochrane on Tuesday that he's been having 'conversations of increasing specificity' with major European partners about Canada being part of a build-out of their defence industrial base. Carney said he wants to see 'something concrete there' by Canada Day. In that same interview Carney also said he wanted to see something concrete on that front by Canada Day. After meeting with EU leaders June 23, Carney announced he had signed a strategic defence and security partnership agreement with the union. While it's progress, it's not perfection. The agreement is more of a framework for how Canada will eventually be able to participate in ReArm Europe. The agreement signed June 23 will also help Canada join the SAFE loan program with other allied nations to buy military equipment. Verdict: It's a step toward the door, but not through it. Cutting red tape The Liberal election platform promised to reduce red tape by requiring all federal departments to take steps to eliminate outdated or unnecessary rules, reduce duplication or overlap with provincial rules and streamline the administration of rules and the delivery of regulatory decisions. The platform says departments are supposed to undertake these reviews within 60 days and report on what progress has been made. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said that process is being overseen by the Treasury Board. On Monday, the Treasury Board told CBC News that it is preparing to launch the formal 60-day review process. The platform does not specifically say within 60 days of winning the election, but the term within 60 days could be taken by some to mean exactly that. It could also just mean the PMO wants the reviews to take 60 days once they are eventually launched. Verdict: Ambiguous wording leaves this one in limbo. What comes next The list of challenges and promises Carney must address next are long and varied. Here is a look at some that will continue to make headlines in the months ahead. Striking a deal with Trump on tariffs: During the G7 summit, Carney and Trump agreed to negotiate toward a trade deal "within the coming 30 days." (new window) Carney made that announcement June 16. Passing Bill C-4 (new window): While the tax measures in C-4 have been adopted, the legislation still has to pass through Parliament. Passing Bill C-2 (new window): The Liberal government's Strong Borders Act would give increased powers to Canada's security and intelligence services, expand the ability to open and inspect mail and allow officials to cancel or suspend immigration documents. Critics of the bill say it violates privacy (new window). The Liberals will have to manage those concerns if they want this bill, currently in second reading, to become law. Passing Bill C-8 (new window): The Liberals' Critical Cyber Systems Protection Act is a reintroduction of Bill C-26 (new window) that died when former prime minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament. C-8 passed first reading in the House June 18. Passing Bill C-3 (new window): Introduced to the House of Commons June 5, the "lost Canadians" bill (new window) is also a reintroduction of a previous bill. The legislation responds to a 2023 Ontario Superior Court ruling that declared it unconstitutional to deny citizenship to people born outside of Canada before their parents obtained citizenship. It is in second reading in the House. Peter Zimonjic (new window) · CBC News
Fibre2Fashion
a day ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Canada ends CFTA exceptions to build one Canadian economy
As part of the government's efforts to build one Canadian economy, the federal government has announced the removal of all remaining federal exceptions from the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), eliminating all 53 in the agreement since its introduction in 2017. Key sectors impacted by the removal include financial services, commercial land development, transportation, and space projects. The Canadian government has announced the removal of all 53 federal exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) to foster a unified economy. The reform targets key sectors like finance, transport, and land development, and builds on Bill C-5 to boost trade and labour mobility. Provinces are reviewing their own exceptions, with results due on July 8. The CFTA was introduced to reduce and eliminate barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services, and investments within Canada and to establish an open efficient, and stable domestic market. All provincial and territorial governments have committed to undertaking a review of their respective exceptions under the CFTA. Together, they have made great progress, and the results will be announced at the upcoming meeting of the committee on internal trade on July 8, 2025. The announcement builds on the government's efforts to strengthen the Canadian economy. Most recently, the government passed Bill C-5, the One Canadian Economy Act, which will remove federal barriers to internal trade and labour mobility, and advance nation-building projects to drive Canadian productivity, economic growth, and competitiveness, Canadian government said in a press release. The federal government reaffirmed its commitment to collaborate with provinces and territories to further strengthen the CFTA, promote mutual recognition, and ensure seamless labour movement across Canada. 'Canada's new government is breaking down trade barriers and building one strong economy – connected by Canadian projects, powered by Canadian energy, and crafted by Canadian workers. Together, we can give ourselves more than any foreign nation can take away,' said Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada. 'Removal of all federal exceptions in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement is one of the many recent measures we are taking, following the passing of the One Canadian Economy Act , to eliminate internal trade barriers and cut red tape for Canadian businesses,' said Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and 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. 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,' added Freeland. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG)
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Trade Minister Freeland announces removal of 53 federal trade barriers as Canada moves toward 'one united economy' under Carney's vision
One Canadian economy Live Events What changed, and what hasn't Bill C‑5 (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland stated that Ottawa has removed all 53 federal exemptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) in a landmark move announced on June 30, carve-outs, known as 'exceptions,' gave preferential treatment in federal procurement to certain sectors such as finance, commercial land development, transportation services, and space projects, but also blocked companies from doing business across provincial borders.'Removal of all federal exceptions in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement is one of the many recent measures we are taking, following the passing of the One Canadian Economy Act , to eliminate internal trade barriers and cut red tape for Canadian businesses,' Freeland said in the announcement comes just one day before Canada Day, fulfilling Prime Minister Mark Carney 's commitment to finish this work by July 1. Carney, who campaigned on uniting Canada's 13 provinces and territories into 'one Canadian economy', immediately hailed this as a victory in a broader strategy to reduce Canada's reliance on the US amid ongoing trade exemptions lifted were federal-only issues, such as procurement rules that gave Ottawa bias. Provincial exemptions remain in place, including in areas like dairy, alcohol, and licensing laws. Provinces and territories are scheduled to review and remove their exceptions, with updates expected at a special Committee on Internal Trade meeting on July announcement follows the June 20 passage of Bill C‑5, known as the One Canadian Economy Act, which received royal assent on June 26. The bill has two parts, one codifies the elimination of federal trade and labour restrictions; the other fast‑tracks large national projects deemed in the national groups, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, support the move, calling it a long‑overdue modernization. But critics raise flags. The Assembly of First Nations and environmental groups worry the new Building Canada Act, part of Bill C‑5, could override provincial, Indigenous, and environmental laws in pursuit of 'national interest' megaprojects.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Trade Minister Freeland announces removal of 53 federal trade barriers as Canada moves toward 'one united economy' under Carney's vision
Canada removed federal trade barriers. Chrystia Freeland announced the removal of 53 exemptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. This followed the One Canadian Economy Act. The move aims to unite Canada's economy. It reduces reliance on the US amid trade disputes. Provincial exemptions remain for now. Industry groups support the modernization. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads One Canadian economy Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What changed, and what hasn't Bill C‑5 Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland stated that Ottawa has removed all 53 federal exemptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) in a landmark move announced on June 30, carve-outs, known as 'exceptions,' gave preferential treatment in federal procurement to certain sectors such as finance, commercial land development, transportation services, and space projects, but also blocked companies from doing business across provincial borders.'Removal of all federal exceptions in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement is one of the many recent measures we are taking, following the passing of the One Canadian Economy Act , to eliminate internal trade barriers and cut red tape for Canadian businesses,' Freeland said in the announcement comes just one day before Canada Day, fulfilling Prime Minister Mark Carney 's commitment to finish this work by July 1. Carney, who campaigned on uniting Canada's 13 provinces and territories into 'one Canadian economy', immediately hailed this as a victory in a broader strategy to reduce Canada's reliance on the US amid ongoing trade exemptions lifted were federal-only issues, such as procurement rules that gave Ottawa bias. Provincial exemptions remain in place, including in areas like dairy, alcohol, and licensing laws. Provinces and territories are scheduled to review and remove their exceptions, with updates expected at a special Committee on Internal Trade meeting on July announcement follows the June 20 passage of Bill C‑5, known as the One Canadian Economy Act, which received royal assent on June 26. The bill has two parts, one codifies the elimination of federal trade and labour restrictions; the other fast‑tracks large national projects deemed in the national groups, including the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, support the move, calling it a long‑overdue modernization. But critics raise flags. The Assembly of First Nations and environmental groups worry the new Building Canada Act, part of Bill C‑5, could override provincial, Indigenous, and environmental laws in pursuit of 'national interest' megaprojects.
