In a time of economic uncertainty and shifting global trade relationships, Canada is focused on what we can control: strengthening our economy from within and becoming our own best customer. Reducing barriers to trade and labour mobility between provinces and territories will grow our economy, strengthen supply chains, make life more affordable, and create more opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers across the country.
Over the past year, Canada has taken unprecedented action to remove barriers and strengthen internal trade. These efforts were recognized by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), which awarded the federal government an A+ for its leadership on the file. The CFIB is a champion for businesses in Canada, with more than 100,000 members across the country.
The CFIB's 2026 State of Internal Trade: Canada's Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card assessed federal, provincial, and territorial efforts to reduce interprovincial trade barriers. The report highlighted the federal government's bold leadership this past year, including:
- Adopting the One Canadian Economy Act: designed to build a stronger, more united Canada by supercharging productivity, economic growth, and competitiveness.
- Implementing the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act: the Act makes it easier for businesses and workers to operate across provincial and territorial borders and in n federally-regulated professions by removing unnecessary barriers and red tape, creating new opportunities for businesses and supporting economic growth. A user guide is available to help Canadian workers and businesses understand the Act and its advantages.
- Eliminating all Federal exceptions in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA): the federal government removed all remaining federal exceptions from the CFTA.
The CFIB also commended federal, provincial, and territorial governments for their collaborative work to build one Canadian economy through actions including:
- Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement (CMRA) on the Sale of Goods: a landmark agreement signed by all jurisdictions to reduce duplicative regulatory requirements and help businesses sell their goods across Canada. On January 1, 2026, the Government of Canada completed its implementation of the Agreement.
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Interprovincial Trucking: all jurisdictions are working together to reduce barriers in the trucking sector, making it easier to move goods across Canada. By simplifying trucking rules between jurisdictions, this agreement will help strengthen supply chains, support internal trade, reduce costs for businesses, and help keep goods moving efficiently.
- New Financial Services Chapter under the CFTA: this new chapter is a significant milestone for the financial services sector, providing greater transparency, predictability and improved market access for firms across Canada through clear rules and enhanced free trade within the sector.
- Domestic Trade Commissioners Network: a new, first-of-its-kind network that will help Canadian small and medium-sized businesses connect with customers, suppliers, and partners across the country, making it easier to find new opportunities within Canada. By helping businesses grow and expand into new markets, the network will strengthen domestic supply chains, support jobs, and build a more resilient Canadian economy.
While these achievements are worth celebrating, there is still more work to do, as outlined in the CFIB report's recommendations. The federal government is advancing several additional measures in the housing and construction as well as the agrifood sector that will expand mutual recognition and ensure seamless labour mobility. In the coming months, we look forward to provinces and territories doing the work necessary to implement the MOUs on trucking and direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, which are essential to building one Canadian economy.
Canada will continue to work closely with provinces and territories to further accelerate efforts to expand internal trade across the country.
