Canadian Design and Construction Report staff writer
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on all provinces and territories to cut trade and labour mobility barriers, arguing that reducing interprovincial red tape is key to strengthening Canada’s economy—especially in the face of rising U.S. protectionism.
Ford made the pitch while introducing new legislation, the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, which would make Ontario the first province to remove all exceptions to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement. The goal: to let goods, services and certified workers from other provinces be automatically recognized in Ontario.
“If it’s good enough for one province, it should be good enough for the rest of Canada,” Ford said at a news conference. “We can’t let red tape hold our economy back, especially with U.S. tariffs hitting our businesses and workers.”
The Ontario government has also signed trade agreements with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Under these deals, each province agrees to recognize the other’s certified workers and approved goods and services. Ford says he wants all 13 provinces and territories, as well as the federal government, to get on board.
“These agreements are a challenge to other provinces to join us,” Ford said. “It’s a win for workers, a win for businesses, and a win for communities stuck behind duplication and delays.”
The province estimates that internal trade barriers cost the Canadian economy up to $200 billion a year and raise the price of goods and services for Ontario households by as much as 14.5 per cent.
Construction and trades groups are welcoming the move. Marc Arsenault of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario said his organization supports efforts to improve worker mobility and reduce unnecessary barriers.
“Our members are trained to high standards and ready to work anywhere in Canada,” he said. “We look forward to sharing our input as the legislation moves forward.”
The bill includes several measures to make it easier for people in regulated jobs—like construction workers, truck drivers, and health-care professionals—to work across provincial borders without having to retrain or recertify.
Andrew Tarr, who represents HVAC and refrigeration workers at UA Local 787, said the legislation is good news for skilled trades. “Cutting red tape means more opportunities for our members,” he said. “We’re glad to see Premier Ford backing the workers who build this country.”
The legislation is paired with a new $50-million fund to help Ontario businesses expand into other provinces and adjust to challenges from U.S. tariffs. The Ontario Together Trade Fund will support companies looking to re-shore supply chains or serve more interprovincial customers.
Among other measures, the legislation proposes:
- A new “As of Right” rule allowing certified workers from other provinces to work in Ontario immediately while completing local registration.
- Expanded mutual recognition agreements with other provinces for goods and services.
- Direct-to-consumer alcohol sales between provinces.
- An annual “Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian” day to support local producers.
- Consultations on allowing U.S. health professionals, including doctors and nurses, to practise in Ontario under certain conditions.
Ford framed the initiative as part of a bigger push to make Canada more self-reliant in an increasingly uncertain global economy.
“With President Trump targeting Canadian exports, we need to rely more on ourselves—and that starts with tearing down trade walls between our own provinces,” Ford said.
The bill is expected to be debated in the Ontario legislature in the coming weeks.
