On April 16, the Ontario government announced the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act, aiming to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and enhance labour mobility. Key initiatives include removing all party-specific exceptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, simplifying certification processes for out-of-province workers, and allowing direct-to-consumer alcohol sales across provinces.
The legislation also establishes an annual “Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian” day and launches a $50 million Ontario Together Trade Fund to support businesses in expanding interprovincial markets. Ontario has signed memorandums of understanding with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to further these efforts, promoting mutual recognition of goods, services, and workers. These measures are expected to unlock significant economic opportunities and strengthen Canada’s internal market.