Ontario has signed another inter-provincial trade deal.
This time it is with Manitoba.
Premier Doug Ford sat down with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the removal of barriers that restrict trade between their two provinces..
Similar agreements were signed last month with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick as the province moves to withstand the impact of the U.S. trade tariffs.
Ford says Ontario and Manitoba already do a considerable amount of business together.
“Our two provinces already do approximately $19.5 billion of interprovincial trade every single year. But we can do better as neighbours and partners within Canada,” says Ford.
“Ontario and Manitoba can lead the way by creating new opportunities for goods, services and workers to move freely between our provinces. And that’s what today’s agreement will do to help all of us.”
Through the MOU, Ontario and Manitoba agree to boost the flow of goods, services, investment and workers, including alcohol and improved interprovincial labour mobility.
“We’re facing a tariff war on two fronts, and now is the time to build up this country we love so much,” says Kinew.
“Through this agreement with Ontario, we will unlock more economic opportunities for people in both provinces. As premiers, we are all working toward the common goal of powering our Canadian economy toward the future.”
Ford says he hopes to have further agreements with Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Quebec in the near future.
He also looks to the federal government to remove federal trade barriers that unlock the full potential of interprovincial trade.
Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned during the federal election campaign that he would remove those barriers by Canada Day.
