Wednesday November 19, 2025 | VICTORIA, BC [Posted at 5:20 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Inter-provincial trade diversification is a key part of the BC Look West economic strategy is to diversify markets and create new opportunities for British Columbians.
Today, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth, Ravi Kahlon, announced further ways to break down interprovincial trade barriers.
“B.C.’s businesses are among the best in the world, and I can’t wait to see more of them expand their sales across Canada,” says Kahlon.
He said what was announced today marks the largest set of red tape reductions in Canada and that there are more to come.
The new B.C.-led Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement (CMRA) makes it easier for goods that meet the rules in one province or territory to be sold across Canada, without extra approvals, labeling or testing.
Overview:
- B.C. and all provinces, territories and federal government signed the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement
- The agreement will make it easier for B.C. businesses to sell products across Canada, and for people to buy Canadian-made goods
- The B.C.-led initiative will cover thousands of products, except food, from manufacturing inputs to health technologies
Minister Kahlon says this means BC businesses can:
- Sell across Canada
- Save time and costs
- Expand reach
Key points:
- Economic analysis suggests mutual recognition could increase Canada’s GDP by up to 7.9%, unlocking as much as $200 billion annually, and improving productivity by reducing regulatory delays and freeing resources for innovation and growth.
- In early 2023, the B.C. government launched the Trade Diversification Strategy to strengthen and expand the province’s trading base.
- Through this initiative, B.C. is fostering trade and investment opportunities in new markets, while growing its presence in established ones, increasing both the number and diversity of B.C. exporters.
- Currently, the province benefits from a network of more than 50 trade and investment representatives across 14 key markets in North America, Europe and Asia.
Easier for BC businesses:
A new agreement signed by all provinces, territories, and the federal government will break down interprovincial trade barriers, making it easier for B.C. businesses to sell products across Canada, and for people to buy Canadian-made goods.
“When threats to Canada’s economic security land at our doorstep, we’re at our best when we work together as one country,” said Premier David Eby. “That’s why our government has led the effort to make it easier for businesses to grow and create good jobs across provincial and territorial lines. This is part of our work to build an economy that’s less reliant on the United States and works better for all Canadians.”
Leading the country on reducing barriers to inter-provincial trade:
The Government of B.C. proposed, chaired and championed a national initiative to establish the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement (CMRA), which was signed by federal, provincial and territorial trade ministers in Yellowknife on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, through the national Committee on Internal Trade.
“This is the largest set of red tape reduction in Canada’s history, and it’s just the beginning,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth. “We’re committed to continuing to work with our partners to support the free movement of labour, alcohol, financial and other services to make it easier to trade within our borders, and reduce our dependence on the United States. B.C.’s businesses are among the best in the world, and I can’t wait to see more of them expand their sales across Canada”
Once the agreement is implemented, Canadian businesses will no longer have to search through the thousands of rules of 14 different jurisdictions to determine what, if any, requirements they must meet to sell their goods across Canada. If a good can be lawfully sold in B.C., it will no longer face additional testing, certification or other approvals before it can be sold across the country. Any exceptions to this standard will be clearly identified.
The CMRA applies to the sale of all goods except food and will take effect in December 2025. It will cover thousands of products, from manufacturing inputs and health technologies, to clothing, toys, industrial products, tires and vehicles, helping businesses grow and people benefit from greater choice.
“Today’s agreement is a win for every business that builds, ships, or sells across provincial lines. By embracing mutual recognition, we are building one unified Canadian market with smart, modern rules that let goods move freely,” said Bridgitte Anderson, president and CEO, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade. “This deal will benefit consumers, strengthen competitiveness, and help our companies scale. We need to keep building on this momentum to make it easier to do business across the country.”
The agreement also allows each province to provide exceptions, and ensures provincial regulatory standards are protected, while providing confidence to international businesses that Canada is an attractive economy to invest in and create jobs.
Creating momentum for more action toward free movement of goods and services:
- B.C.’s work to lead the initiative builds on the Province’s Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, enacted in May 2025, which gives the Province new tools to expand interprovincial trade.
- B.C. has also signed memorandums of understanding with other provinces to support labour mobility, direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, and to explore connecting electrical grids with the Yukon.
- This work is part of the Province’s Look West plan for jobs and industry, which outlines B.C.’s approach for rising to the challenges brought on by U.S. tariffs and increasing global economic instability, and lays out priorities for the path ahead – to deliver jobs and opportunities for people.
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NEWS SECTIONS: JOBS & EMPLOYMENT | TRADE DIVERSIFICATION | 43rd BC PARLIAMENT