Ontario Unlocking Free Trade Within Canada

Beamsville – As a next step in its plan to protect Ontario by unleashing the province’s economy, the Ontario government is introducing the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act to unlock free trade and labour mobility within Canada. This legislation will, if passed, create new opportunities for job creation and investment attraction, supporting economic integration across Canada and cutting costly and unnecessary red tape to help protect and grow Ontario and Canada’s economies.

“In a time of global uncertainty and unjust American trade actions, our government is breaking down financial and regulatory barriers between provinces,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“To protect our economy, we need to reach out to our provincial partners right across the country.”

“For too long, we have let red tape and endless regulations hold back our economy, making us vulnerable to external threats, including from President Trump’s tariffs,” said Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario.

“Not anymore. The legislation we are introducing today will make Ontario a national leader when it comes to trade between provinces and territories, so we can strengthen and unify Canada and create new markets and opportunities for Ontario workers and goods.”

Trade barriers within Canada cost the economy up to $200 billion each year and lower gross domestic product by nearly eight per cent. These barriers also increase the cost of goods and services Ontario families rely on by up to 14.5 percent, at a time when families are already struggling from increased costs due to tariffs. Ontario is leading the charge to tear down these barriers to unlock Canada’s full economic potential.

Ontario’s plan, including the measures in the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act, will support free trade and mobility across Canada.

Ontario is also launching the new $50 million Ontario Together Trade Fund to help businesses make near-term investments so they can serve more interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains, strengthening Ontario’s trade security and diversification.

“Ontario is leading the way when it comes to free trade within Canada, and we are pleased to work with our partners across the country to get it done,” said Hon. Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

“The legislation being announced today and the historic funding we are providing through the Ontario Together Trade Fund will create new opportunities to grow our economy, secure our supply chains and unify our country.”

A key regional econmic driver, the province’s free trade initiative will enable direct-to-consumer alcohol sales with reciprocating provinces and territories so that consumers will be able to purchase alcohol directly from producers across Canada – including in Niagara – for personal consumption.

“The ‘Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian’ sentiment has grown exponentially during the past few months and there has never been a better time for provinces to work together to get more VQA wines into the hands of consumers,” said Michelle Wasylyshen, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ontario Craft Wineries.

“Our message is simple. Anything that can be done to reduce barriers for VQA wines is long overdue. As a first step, we support consumers’ ability to order Canadian VQA wine directly to their homes – wherever the winery is and wherever they live in Canada.”

Ontario is Canada’s largest interprovincial trader. With access to more than 41 million customers and purchasing power per capita among the highest in the world, the opportunity for Ontario businesses and workers through increased internal trade needs to be leveraged in an increasingly unstable global market. The government of Ontario is committed to supporting business and workers through these challenging economic times and will pursue additional measures and supports to ensure stability and resiliency.