The federal government says it will push for faster progress on eliminating internal trade barriers as federal, provincial and territorial ministers meet in Iqaluit this week.
Dominic LeBlanc, the federal minister responsible for internal trade and Canada-U.S. trade, said Wednesday governments have made progress over the past year but more work is needed to create what Ottawa calls “one Canadian economy.”
The two-day Committee on Internal Trade meeting comes as Canada faces renewed trade pressure from the United States and new tariffs on Canadian goods.
LeBlanc said reducing barriers within Canada could help businesses reach new markets and make it easier for workers to move between provinces.
“Canada can give itself far more than any foreign nation can take away,” LeBlanc said in a statement.
Focus on labour mobility and services
Among Ottawa’s priorities is expanding the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement to cover services by the end of 2026.
The federal government also wants to modernize the labour mobility chapter of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement to make it easier for workers with recognized credentials to work in other provinces and territories.
Other priorities include harmonizing approval processes for prefabricated homes and new building materials, improving recognition of health and safety requirements in construction and advancing digital credential verification.
Governments are also expected to discuss ways to strengthen interprovincial food trade.
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Progress already made
LeBlanc pointed to several measures introduced over the past year, including the federal Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act.
Governments have also advanced a memorandum of understanding on interprovincial trucking, implemented the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement on the Sale of Goods and launched a Domestic Trade Commissioners Network.
The network is intended to help Canadian businesses expand into markets elsewhere in the country.
LeBlanc said the next step is turning those commitments into changes businesses and workers can see.
Model legislation targeted by year-end
First ministers agreed in July to work toward an agreement-in-principle on model mutual recognition legislation by the end of 2026.
The goal is to develop a more consistent approach to recognizing goods, services and worker credentials across provincial and territorial boundaries.
LeBlanc said reducing duplication could give businesses more certainty while allowing workers to use their skills where they are needed.
The federal government is expected to take over as chair of the Committee on Internal Trade in January 2027.
LeBlanc said implementation will be a central focus during Canada’s chairmanship, with attention on sectors including housing, trucking, labour mobility and food and beverage.
“This is our opportunity to build a stronger, more unified Canadian market, one where people can work freely, businesses can grow, and Canadian products can reach Canadians from coast to coast to coast,” he said.