Latest news with #pan-Canadian
Cision Canada
08-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Committee on Internal Trade meeting a test for Canada's internal trade commitments Français
TORONTO, July 8, 2025 /CNW/ - With the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) meeting later today, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has sent committee members a letter calling for progress and clarity around key commitments on a pan-Canadian mutual recognition agreement on goods, and direct-to-consumer alcohol delivery. "As we noted in our annual Internal Trade Report Card last week, there has been more progress on removing trade barriers within Canada in the past six months than in eight years since the Canadian Free Trade Agreement was signed," said SeoRhin Yoo, senior policy analyst for interprovincial affairs. "But with multiple jurisdictions taking multiple approaches on the file, there is potential for a confusing patchwork of rules and regulations. The CIT is a critical piece to stop that from happening and provide the clarity small businesses need to move forward and plan with confidence." At the June 2, 2025 First Ministers meeting in Sakskatoon, the premiers and Prime Minister directed the CIT to "rapidly conclude a comprehensive Mutual Recognition Agreement covering consumer goods, in alignment with CIT discussions, with implementation by December 2025." Given seven jurisdictions have already passed mutual recognition legislation, CFIB is seeking clarity on what a CIT agreement would mean for both the provinces with existing legislation and for the internal trade file as a whole. Additionally, after the March 5 First Ministers meeting in Ottawa it was noted that many provinces were working on allowing direct-to-consumer alcohol delivery across provincial borders. While many provinces have a framework in place, currently only Manitoba allows for full direct-to-consumer interjurisdictional shipment of Canadian wine, craft beer and spirits. "People can order a pair of shoes or a board game from one coast to the other, but in most provinces, you still can't get a bottle of wine, or a case of beer delivered from the province next door," said Ryan Mallough, vice-president of legislative affairs. "It's 2025. It makes no sense to leave alcohol delivery in the 1800s. Several provinces have gotten their legislative frameworks in place, but we need to see more action to allow goods to get moving." Read CFIB's full Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at
Cision Canada
07-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
MEDIA ADVISORY - COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL TRADE MEETING
QUÉBEC CITY, July 7, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment for the Northwest Territories, as Chair of the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) for 2025, and the Honourable Christopher Skeete, Minister for the Economy for Québec, as host of the CIT meeting, will hold a media availability alongside CIT representatives from the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Date: Tuesday, July 8, 2025 Time: 3:30 p.m. to 3:50 p.m. EDT Registration: Media representatives who wish to attend the event in person can register in advance at [email protected]. Those wishing to attend virtually must register using the following Zoom link: Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) The CFTA is a consensus-based agreement, that is overseen by the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT), which is comprised of Federal Provincial and Territorial (FPT) Ministers responsible for internal trade. The Northwest Territories is the 2025 Chair of the CIT. The CFTA establishes rules that apply across the Canadian economy and govern pan-Canadian trade. Rules apply automatically to all economic activity unless something is specifically excluded. Exclusions occur within the CFTA, such as through General Exceptions (Chapter 8), Party-Specific Exceptions (Annex 1, Annex 2, and Procurement), Legitimate Objectives, and Non-Application Exceptions (such as in Chapter 5). Internal Trade Over $530 billion worth of goods and services moves across provincial and territorial borders every year—equal to 20 per cent of Canada's gross domestic product. In 2023, one-third of Canadian businesses participated in internal trade by buying or selling goods across provincial and territorial borders. In comparison, in 2023, Canada was the United States' largest trading partner, with more than $1.3 trillion worth of bilateral trade in goods and services. Committee on Internal Trade & Recent Accomplishments The CIT is comprised of FPT ministers responsible for supervising the implementation of the CFTA, including oversight of a number of working groups established under the Agreement, assisting in the resolution of disputes, approving the annual operating budget of the Internal Trade Secretariat (ITS), and considering any other matter that may affect the operation of the CFTA. July 8's Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) meeting in Québec City marks the seventh gathering of 2025 demonstrating an unprecedented level of collaboration and urgency. On February 28, 2025, the Federal, Provincial, Territorial Committee on Internal Trade was convened and agreed to the following actions: Enhancing the CFTA: All governments committed to conducting a rapid review of all remaining party-specific exceptions in the CFTA and swiftly conclude negotiations for incorporating the financial services Sector into the Agreement. This will ensure a free and open internal market for Canadian businesses and workers. Building on removals some governments have completed since 2017, to date, a minimum of 40 exceptions have been identified for removal by five governments, with all exception reviews to be completed by June 1, 2025. Reducing regulatory and administrative burdens through mutual recognition: A strong domestic market starts with goods freely moving between provinces and territories. Building on the pilot project on mutual recognition in trucking, all governments have now agreed to immediately launch negotiations for mutual recognition of all consumer goods (excluding food). This would guarantee that a good certified in one province can be bought and sold in any other, without additional red tape. Parties may also pursue a broader mutual recognition agreement covering most or all sectors of the economy through unilateral, bilateral, or multilateral initiatives. The Committee on Internal Trade committed to tabling an Action Plan for Mutual Recognition of Consumer Goods by March 31, 2025. Facilitating labour mobility: Internal trade and labour market ministers will prioritize efforts to further improve transparency and reduce the administrative burden for labour mobility applicants to support the timely and seamless mobility of workers to fill jobs wherever they are available, including by adopting a service standard of 30 days or better to process applications. Launching pan-Canadian direct-to-consumer alcohol sales for Canadian products: The Governments of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Canada have committed to improving the trade of alcohol products between participating jurisdictions by advancing direct-to-consumer sales for Canadian products. Currently, British Columbia allows for direct-to-consumer sales for wine, while Manitoba is already open to direct-to-consumer sales on all alcoholic beverages. The Yukon is exploring options for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales within the territory. Employing a Team Canada approach to promote the domestic economy: All governments committed to working together to promote growth and resiliency in the domestic market by helping Canadian businesses identify and access new opportunities in other provinces and territories, including through domestic trade missions.
Cision Canada
03-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
VIA RAIL TO HOLD ITS ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETING ON AUGUST 21, 2025 Français
MONTREAL, July 3, 2025 /CNW/ - VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) invites the public to listen to its 2025 Annual Public Meeting (APM) to be aired on August 21, 2025, at 4 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on its YouTube channel. This pre-recorded session will offer a look back at the financial results, key performances and landmark projects of 2024, a year of transformation for VIA Rail, marked in particular by the announcement of historic funding for the replacement of its pan-Canadian fleet. The meeting will also be an opportunity to look to the future, with an overview of the next steps in the VIAction 2030 strategic plan, unveiled in 2024, and the priorities that will guide the Corporation's actions in the months ahead. Messages will be delivered by: Jonathan Goldbloom, VIA Rail's Chairperson of the Board of Directors Mario Péloquin, President and Chief Executive Officer Carl Delisle, Chief Financial and Technology Officer We want to hear from Canadians Once again this year, the public is invited to submit their questions to VIA Rail online through the Annual Public Meeting webpage. When: From July 4, 12:01 a.m. to July 7, 11:59 p.m. Answers to the most frequently asked questions will be shared on August 21 on the Annual Public Meeting webpage. Some of these questions will also be addressed during the broadcast. Event Details What: VIA Rail's 2025 Annual Public Meeting When: Thursday, August 21, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. (ET) Where: VIA Rail's YouTube channel VIA Rail's 2024 annual report is available in the Media Centre. About VIA Rail VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to operate the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, and to provide a safe, accessible, efficient, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible service that meets the needs of Canadian passengers. VIA Rail operates intercity trains connecting over 400 communities across Canada and ensuring rail transportation services to regional and remote communities. The Corporation safely transported over four million passengers in 2024 and has been awarded nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada. For more, visit our website:
Global News
02-07-2025
- Health
- Global News
Public Health Agency of Canada reviewing ‘the VISP experience,' including users' concerns
After a five-month investigation, Global News requested an interview with the Public Health Agency of Canada officials to discuss its Vaccine Injury Support Program. The federal agency declined the request, asking for written questions instead. Global News submitted an extensive letter with detailed questions about specific cases and facts. PHAC sent us the following statement: 'In June 2021, the Government of Canada established a pan-Canadian no-fault Vaccine Injury Support Program (VISP) in consultation with the provinces and territories. The VISP is a no-fault program that ensures that people who suffer a serious and permanent injury as a result of receiving a Health Canada-authorized vaccine administered in Canada, on or after December 8, 2020, have access to a financial support mechanism funded by the Government of Canada. Story continues below advertisement The need for a vaccine injury support program had been previously identified as a gap in Canada's immunization system and recognized as an area of importance by all levels of government. A number of countries have no-fault programs in place, including all G7 counterparts. Building on the model in place in Québec for more than 30 years, the VISP was designed to support individuals in Canada who experience a serious and permanent injury as result of receiving a Health Canada authorized vaccine. An open solicitation process took place in February 2021 to identify a third party administrator for the VISP. The solicitation was open to Canadian not-for-profit and for-profit organizations and corporations. Applicants had to demonstrate experience with: health claim adjudication injury causality assessments cost-effective delivery in administering payments managing personal information and providing program delivery at a national level in both official languages Received four proposals PHAC received four proposals in response to the solicitation process. Story continues below advertisement A six-member Review Committee comprised of experts from inside and outside the Government of Canada in the areas of privacy, compensation programs, procurement, and medicine was established to review these four proposals. After a comprehensive, transparent and ratings-based review of the submitted proposals by the Committee, Oxaro Inc. (formerly known as Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Consulting Inc.) was unanimously identified as the successful applicant and selected as the 3rd party administrator of the VISP. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Oxaro was neither the lowest nor highest bidder in the process. The VISP is currently being administered and delivered independently by Oxaro for the pan-Canadian VISP (and by Quebec for their longstanding Vaccine Injury Compensation program), with funding from PHAC. As of December 31, 2024, a budget amount of up to $65.2 million over five years (2021-22 to 2025-26) was allocated to Oxaro for program operations and administration costs and claim payments through their Contribution Agreement. This does not represent payments made to Oxaro but rather the maximum amount available over the Contribution Agreement timeframe of five years. New program with fluctuating costs As with all Contribution Agreements, only the actual costs (for both program administration and payments to claimant) are eligible. As such, as of December 31, 2024, Oxaro's actual costs reported were $50.6 million. Story continues below advertisement (Global News reports that only $16.9 million of that $50.6 million sum went to injured Canadians.) The VISP is a new and demand-based program with fluctuating costs based on the number of applications and appeals submitted by Canadians. The cost to process and assess a claim is the same regardless of whether or not the claim is approved for financial support. All eligible claims undergo a full and robust technical and medical assessment process based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) guidance for causality assessment of an adverse event following immunization, regardless of the actual causality outcome and subsequent payment. This process is conducted by a team of medical experts, which includes both general practitioners and specialists, as needed. Administration costs are proportional to the number of claims received and processed. Oxaro and its team of medical experts individually assess every claim. This includes a review of all required and relevant medical documentation, as well as current medical evidence, taking into account the temporal relationship between the injury and the vaccine as well as existing population-based evidence for causality to determine if there is a probable link between the injury and the vaccine. If there is a probable link, the medical experts will also assess the severity and duration of the injury. Oxaro uses this information to determine the types and levels of financial support awarded to the individual or their survivor(s). Story continues below advertisement Support determined on case-by-case basis The amount of financial support an individual will receive will be determined on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the PHAC-approved benefit categories and maximum support amounts. In addition, financial support provided by Oxaro must align with the Government of Quebec's compensation program and other public and private sector injury compensation practices. Timelines for a determination of eligibility and support depend on the nature and complexity of the claim (for example, time needed to collect medical records from provinces, territories, or medical institutions where the patient received care). The average claim takes 12 to 18 months to process, but sometimes may take longer. While PHAC set out the policy framework for the VISP, a committee of independent medical experts that follow WHO guidelines on causality assessment make decisions on individual claims. Story continues below advertisement PHAC not involved in decision making PHAC is not involved in any individual case assessments or decision making and does not have access to personal information of the applicants. Furthermore, Oxaro is wholly responsible for the hiring and paying of both the program personnel and the physician consultants that it employs. PHAC appreciates Global News' interest in the VISP and takes the concerns raised by VISP claimants and beneficiaries seriously. PHAC continuously and actively conducts analyses of the program to identify both shortfalls as well as opportunities to better support people in Canada who have experienced a serious and permanent injury after receiving a Health Canada-authorized vaccine. Working with experts PHAC is actively reviewing the VISP experience to date, including concerns raised by claimants and beneficiaries, and is working with experts to review the lessons learned and best practices from comparable international injury compensation programs. Story continues below advertisement This analysis and review will help ensure that the future program will effectively meet the needs of Canadians and is delivered in a fair, efficient and cost-effective manner.'
Cision Canada
30-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Canada's internal trade barriers are finally coming down, but patchwork of government approaches could create new challenges Français
CFIB's 2025 internal trade report card sees major improvements from provinces introducing mutual recognition legislation TORONTO, June 30, 2025 /CNW/ - 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 (CFTA) was signed, finds the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB)'s latest State of Internal Trade report: Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card. "While progress to date has been encouraging, we also have seven different jurisdictions taking seven different approaches to mutual recognition. That kind of patchwork can wind up recreating the barriers it was meant to knock down," said Ryan Mallough, CFIB's vice-president of legislative affairs. "We're marching the ball down field, but we haven't reached the end zone just yet. The premiers and the prime minister have instructed the Committee on Internal Trade to reach a pan-Canadian mutual recognition agreement for December. We'll be watching those conversations closely to ensure we cross the goal line and finally eliminate Canada's internal trade barriers once and for all." Nova Scotia, the first province to introduce and implement mutual recognition legislation, achieved the highest grade in CFIB's 2025 Internal trade report card with a score of 9.4 (A grade). Ontario is a close second after eliminating all of its CFTA exemptions, scoring a 9.2 (A grade). The 2025 report card grades are: The federal government is scored on two areas: the economic impact score based on the procurement exceptions they maintain from the CFTA in 2025, and the implementation status of reconciliation agreements. Both areas are weighted equally (50% each) as the select barriers area was not available for this analysis. The report grades three major areas of interprovincial/territorial cooperation: CFTA exceptions, select barriers to trade, and the status of items from reconciliation agreements. There's an updated bonus indicator that rewards jurisdictions that accept other regions' regulations and standards as sufficient within their own jurisdiction. "Three years ago, we challenged governments to blow a hole through Canada's internal trade barriers by adopting mutual recognition policies to get the flow of goods, services and people moving across the country. At the time, we heard all the reasons why it couldn't be done. But just in the past six months we've seen seven jurisdictions with mutual recognition legislation on the books," said SeoRhin Yoo, CFIB's senior policy analyst for interprovincial affairs. "The internal trade file is finally getting the attention is has desperately needed since the CFTA was signed in 2017. While there's lots of reason for optimism, we'll be closely watching governments' next steps, including the crucial regulations that will follow legislation, to ensure the rules match the rhetoric and small businesses feel actual progress on the ground." Read CFIB's full Canada's Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card. About CFIB The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) is Canada's largest association of small and medium-sized businesses with 100,000 members across every industry and region. CFIB is dedicated to increasing business owners' chances of success by driving policy change at all levels of government, providing expert advice and tools, and negotiating exclusive savings. Learn more at
