Highlights importance of open and efficient domestic trade for Canadian businesses and consumers
July 4, 2014 – Kelowna, British Columbia – Industry Canada
Industry Minister James Moore was in Kelowna today as part of a national tour to engage businesses, consumers and everyday Canadians on the government's plans to break down the barriers to trade within Canada that cripple the national economy and hurt Canadian consumers and businesses.
Minister Moore, in his address at the Gray Monk Estate Winery, championed Canada as a free-trading nation yet described how progress on trade within Canada has not kept up with the success of our international trade agreements. The Minister reinforced that it should not be easier to trade with our international partners than within our own borders. In particular, he highlighted the Harper Government's plans to work with the provinces and territories in examining a rewrite of the antiquated Agreement on Internal Trade to bring it in line with the current global economic reality. Eliminating barriers to internal trade and reducing red tape mean that goods and services could more easily move across Canada, creating jobs and boosting the economy.
Minister Moore also held a roundtable with local business leaders. They discussed regional internal trade issues, such as moving wine across provincial borders. This is an issue for wineries, including those in British Columbia, because the rules allowing Canadians to import directly from out-of-province wineries are not consistently aligned across the country. According to the B.C. Wine Institute, British Columbia allows consumers to order and have shipped directly 100-percent Canadian grape wine from other provinces for their personal consumption but does not receive the same treatment in return.
Follow @industrycanada on Twitter and use #internaltrade to let us know how internal trade is affecting your business.
Jake Enwright
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Industry
613-995-9001
Media Relations
Industry Canada
613-943-2502
media-relations@ic.gc.ca