Trading between Nova Scotia and five other provinces should soon be much easier.
In a release, Wednesday, the province says it has taken action to improve trade with Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island and Ontario by removing barriers and red tape.
It is expected the federal government will also do the same.
The move comes amid political tensions between Canada and the United States as tariffs continue to cause economic uncertainty.
“Removing these barriers will open up new opportunities for Nova Scotian businesses and help grow our economy – that means more jobs for Nova Scotians,” said Premier Tim Houston.
“This is how Nova Scotia and Canada can be more economically secure.”
The barriers being removed by Nova Scotia focus on three key areas:
– ending Canadian Free Trade Agreement exemptions that limit interprovincial trade with Nova Scotia
– allowing goods or services that are legally sold, used or provided in another province to automatically be able to be sold/used/provided in Nova Scotia without having to meet Nova Scotia’s specific labelling, packaging, certification or inspection requirements
– removing labour mobility barriers by requiring regulators to process equivalent licences within 10 business days and restricting application requirements to evidence of good standing and liability insurance.
The province introduced the Free Trade and Mobility within Canada Act in February to help recognize goods, services and labour mobility, equally, between Nova Scotia and other Canadian jurisdictions.
Nova Scotia’s trade barriers have been removed immediately with Alberta and P.E.I, while barriers with the other provinces are dependent on their legislations.
