After signing a new economic cooperation agreement with Ontario in May, the Manitoba government has reached similar agreements with the provinces of New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and Prince Edward Island.
The province announced yesterday they had reached economic agreements to break down trade barriers, increase labour mobility, and create new opportunities for both business and their employees.
“These agreements reflect Manitoba’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger, more unified Canadian economy, one where goods, services and workers can move more freely between provinces, while maintaining the highest standards for health and safety,” said Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew. “By working with partners across the nation, we are unlocking opportunities for people and businesses, building up this country we all love so much.”
Some of the things included in the new memorandum of understanding or MOU are a shared commitment to removing internal trade barriers, work to ensure credential recognition with other provinces’ licensing and regulatory frameworks, and agreement by New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Prince Edward Island to allow for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales from Manitoba producers and a commitment to further discussions to give consumers more choice and creating new markets for producers.
“Saskatchewan is standing strong through the storm that is our current trade challenges,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe “Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been strong trading partners through the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. Together, we are encouraging other jurisdictions to join Canada’s most ambitious domestic trade agreement, and we are building on our economic relationship through further trade collaboration, for example, on direct-to-consumer alcohol sales.”
The province added in a press release that the new MOUs would “expand opportunities for Manitoban producers and workers while helping strengthen Canada’s economy amid ongoing global uncertainty.”
