{"id":33022,"date":"2025-07-30T00:07:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T00:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/33022\/"},"modified":"2025-07-30T00:07:15","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T00:07:15","slug":"nwt-yukon-nunavut-begin-work-toward-territorial-trade-zone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/33022\/","title":{"rendered":"NWT, Yukon, Nunavut begin work toward \u2018territorial trade zone\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Canada\u2019s three territories have agreed to \u201ccollaborate to identify and address barriers to trade and labour mobility\u201d across the North.<\/p>\n

In a news release, the territories said they had signed a memorandum of understanding in Ontario last week that seeks to eventually establish a \u201cterritorial trade zone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The territories say that would mean joint advocacy to Ottawa on \u201ccritical trade-enabling infrastructure,\u201d working together on \u201cinvestment attraction and regulatory frameworks,\u201d and developing a \u201cshared credential registry.\u201d<\/p>\n

The memo, which isn\u2019t legally binding and offers few specifics, is part of a broader move for Canada\u2019s provinces and territories to drop internal trade barriers. The North signed a similar document with Ontario<\/a> last week. <\/p>\n

However, the NWT is also expected to tread carefully in some quarters as Canada dismantles domestic obstacles to trade. For example, the territory is unlikely to want to part with the Business Incentive Policy, which allows northern businesses to take priority when bidding for government contracts.<\/p>\n

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The memorandum<\/a> says the territories will \u201csupport inclusive policy development that reflects the distinct circumstances and capacities of each territory, including infrastructure limitations, cost-of-living disparities, and regulatory diversity.\u201d<\/p>\n

The memo doesn\u2019t constitute an agreement on a territorial trade zone in its own right, but acts to launch \u201cexploratory discussions towards an agreement.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a news release<\/a>, the territories added: \u201cThe three governments agree that efforts to improve internal trade must respect modern treaties and land claim agreements and actively support Indigenous participation. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe Governments of Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut are committed to ensuring that Indigenous rights are respected and that Indigenous peoples benefit from economic opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

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NWT Premier RJ Simpson said the memo showed the territories \u201ctaking concrete steps to reduce barriers, grow our workforce and attract investment \u2013 all in ways that reflect our unique northern and Indigenous realities.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not waiting to be invited into the national economy,\u201d he added. \u201cWe\u2019re shaping it, together.\u201d<\/p>\n

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