Premier Brian Pallister wants the federal government to end trade barriers between the provinces and will be bringing his concerns to Montreal next Friday at the First Ministers’ Meeting.

“These barriers need to end and they need to end quickly,” said Pallister.  “Canada is an economic union and free trade is critical to our prosperity.  But markets and investors need certainty.”

Pallister says that the federal government is responsible for trade barriers in a number of areas and that two proposed federal bills, Bill C-68 and C-69 will drive down investment, compound economic losses in the resource sector and curtail infrastructure investment as well as sacrifice jobs.

The premier says that the federal government has more exemptions when it comes to procurement than any of the provinces within the framework of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.

[jaw_quote author=”Brian Pallister – Manitoba Premier” ]Internal trade barriers are a pocketbook issue for every Canadian.  They cost approximately $1,500 per family every year[/jaw_quote][jaw_clear]

Meat and food inspection are also of a concern to Pallister because of the complicated requirements for the processing and sale of meat as well as the uncertainty created under the new Safe Food for Canadians Act for local food producers.

The premier also pointed out that energy efficiency standards for home appliances are outdated and do not align with current industry standards in some provinces and the United States.

Provincial governments across Canada have already taken steps to reduce trade barriers under their jurisdictions in areas such as alcohol, occupational health and safety, transportation and business registration

“The federal government needs to demonstrate leadership on resolving issues within their own areas of responsibility,” said Pallister.

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