Ryan Kiedrowski
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The World-Spectator
While premiers met in Saskatoon at the beginning of June, an agreement between Saskatchewan and Ontario to break down trade barriers was announced.
Putting ink to paper, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the two provinces to work on getting rid of roadblocks between the two provinces.
“Saskatchewan has long been a leader in reducing trade barriers,” said Trade and Export Minister Warren Kaeding. “This MOU is the progress on internal trade that our country needs to remain competitive and resilient.”
He explained that the two provinces will work together to improve the flow of goods, services, and labour mobility; recognize the importance of strengthening public safety and the integrity and role of our Crown corporations; and advance direct to consumer alcohol sales while working with other willing jurisdictions to do the same.
“We continue to see success in internal trade through our participation in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and the New West Partnership Trade Agreement with British Columbia, Alberta, and Manitoba,” Kaeding said.
According to statistics from 2021, total interprovincial trade between the two provinces amounted to $6.4 billion.
“Now is the time to take strong action to strengthen trade across Canada,” noted Moe. “Our province remains committed to removing restrictive barriers that limit the flow of trade. Today’s MOU between Saskatchewan and Ontario is just one of the ways we are unlocking the infinite potential that exists within our industries from coast to coast.”
Trade makes up around 70 per cent of Saskatchewan’s Gross Domestic Product, with the recent signing of the MOU seen as providing more stability when actions south of the border threaten change at a whim.
“With President Trump taking direct aim at Canada’s economy, we need to do everything we can to protect Ontario and Canadian workers by super-charging our own internal trade opportunities,” Ford said. “With both of us coming together today, we are helping Canada unlock up to $200 billion in gains for our economy, and we are showing everyone how all of us premiers are standing up for Canada like never before. Together, we are building a more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant economy.”
