The Manitoba government’s new trade legislation is getting strong support from the province’s agriculture community, including Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) president Jill Verwey.
Bill 47, the Fair Trade in Canada (Internal Trade Mutual Recognition) Act, passed with all-party support at the Manitoba Legislature.
It aims to remove interprovincial trade barriers, making it easier for businesses to operate across provincial borders. Verwey says that kind of consistency is critical for farmers.
Support for strong domestic supply chains
“I think it's a great positive move provincially to have a national plan that works together from province to province,” she notes.
Verwey explains agriculture relies heavily on supply chains, and the ability to move both inputs and goods from one province to another without roadblocks is key to keeping costs down.
“Having alignment from province to province is a very positive move and we're happy to see the provinces moving to collaboratively remove some of those things,” she adds.
Council recommendation backed by producers
KAP was part of the Premier’s Business and Jobs Council that recommended this action. Verwey, who sat on the council, says the goal is to eliminate unnecessary competitiveness between provinces and create a more unified approach.
“At the end of the day, removing some of that competitiveness from province to province… we're in the line,” she continues. “If we want to be able to compete competitively to the South, we have to have a really strong trading structure here.”
Verwey remarks this step not only strengthens Canada’s internal trade, but also opens the door for greater international opportunity.
“We do depend greatly on both domestic and international markets,” she says.
Focus on labour, trucking and cost
Verwey points to labour mobility, transportation, and safety codes as areas where inconsistent provincial rules have historically created headaches.
“Nothing’s more frustrating on the trucking industry and then if producers are transporting their own goods, not having to worry about differing regulations from province to province just enables easier flow,” she mentions. “It reduces cost to producers and makes it simpler from coast to coast.”
Looking ahead to Canada Day goals
With the federal government aiming for freer internal trade by July 1, Verwey wants to see continued momentum from all levels of government.
“I think the next step is to have that industry involvement in doing more research on what exactly the full scope or impact of our trade barriers are,” she adds. “Having that information from industry to kind of lead what removal of some of those barriers are… is probably a real positive step.”
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