Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has taken action on his commitment to introduce a bill designed to reduce obstacles to trade between provinces, aiming to bolster the economy amidst trade tariff concerns from the U.S. president. The bill includes provisions that would only be applicable to provinces or territories that implement similar laws.
Houston stated that the bill, named the Free Trade and Mobility within Canada Act, is intended to promote the recognition of goods, services, and labor mobility across various sectors of the Canadian economy. Goods produced in a province or territory that enforces comparable legislation would be treated equally to products made in Nova Scotia, eliminating the need for additional fees or testing requirements for goods entering Nova Scotia from other Canadian regions.
Furthermore, the act would facilitate the recognition of service providers and licensed professionals who hold proper certification as if they were licensed in Nova Scotia. The bill aims to avoid any exceptions or hindrances to trade with a province or territory that enacts similar legislation under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
However, the bill does not encompass Canada’s supply management system, which controls supply and pricing in the poultry, eggs, and dairy sectors. Premier Houston emphasized that this initiative is a signal that Nova Scotia is open for business, especially in light of potential tariffs from the U.S.
Opposition parties, such as the NDP and the Liberal Party, have expressed varying views on the bill, with calls for more details on how local businesses and workers will benefit from increased interprovincial trade. The Liberal Party advocates for expanding export markets, as almost half of Nova Scotia’s exports are within Canada, with the province’s interprovincial exports reaching nearly $29 billion in 2023.
