Federal, provincial, and territorial ministers responsible for internal trade met this week in Iqaluit, Nunavut, to take action to make it easier for Canadians to work, do business and invest across the country. With the suspension of trade negotiations with the United States, ministers agreed that now, more than ever, strengthening the economy at home is critical to building a more prosperous and more resilient Canada.

Newfoundland and Labrador was represented by the Honourable Craig Pardy, Minister of Finance.

Ministers agreed to accelerate efforts to reach an agreement in principle by the end of fall 2026 on model mutual recognition legislation to create a common Canadian market and support labour mobility. Ministers agreed to meet again on October 2, 2026, to ensure progress on this commitment.

First Ministers’ commitments have also advanced through the Committee on Internal Trade and other federal-provincial-territorial tables, including on:

• Labour Mobility: Ministers ratified amendments to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement to strengthen labour mobility. These changes set a 30-day service standard for applications, improving transparency and accountability, reducing red tape for applicants, and making it easier for workers to move where their skills are needed.
• Online digital registries for tradespersons have been implemented in the majority of provinces and territories, with the rest expected this year, making it easier to verify credentials for tradespersons moving across the country. Work is also well underway on occupational health and safety training across jurisdictions. For example, common reference models for training for Working at Heights and Mobile Elevating Work Platforms have been created, with each jurisdiction working towards recognizing them by January 1, 2027.
• Expanding Mutual Recognition to Services: Ministers directed work to continue at pace to expand the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement to services so businesses can operate more easily across provincial and territorial boundaries. Ministers engaged with national stakeholders in July to inform this work and will conclude an agreement by December 2026 to reduce duplication, lowers costs and increase market opportunities for Canadian businesses.
• Food and Agriculture: Business enablement (Concierge services supports provided by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency) is available to help food businesses expand across Canada. The Government of Canada is also making amendments to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations for a targeted, time-limited exemption allowing provincial red meat slaughter facilities and producers to trade low volumes of traceable meat interprovincially to ease rural processing bottlenecks and test markets.
• Housing and Construction: Work is also well underway to advance construction code harmonization, modernization and alignment of practices for the approval of new building materials and prefabricated homes, including for consistent inspection of prefabricated construction.
• Domestic Trade Promotion: The Domestic Trade Commissioner Network and its partners have supported more than 30 trade missions across Canada, helping over 2,000 businesses make connections and explore new markets in Canada. More than a dozen are planned for the rest of the year.

Building on the Operating Agreement on Direct-to-Consumer Sales of Alcoholic Beverages signed by nine premiers in July 2026, ministers will continue to work to reduce barriers for alcoholic beverages across Canada to support consumer choice, reduce red tape, enhance business growth and create a more open domestic market.

Ministers also heard directly from northern stakeholders about practical barriers that raise costs and slow economic growth in Canada’s North, including construction and housing challenges, labour shortages, access to inputs and materials, and transportation costs.

The Committee on Internal Trade will continue to focus on practical actions that grow Canada’s economy, remove unnecessary barriers and create conditions for workers, businesses, and consumers to succeed in every region of the country.

Due to the electoral period, Quebec has not taken a position on the issues discussed during this meeting.

Quotes
“Newfoundland and Labrador is a trading province, and our economic success depends on the ability of our workers and businesses to access opportunities across Canada. The commitments advanced this week will reduce barriers that increase costs and slow growth. As our country’s international trade relationships evolve, strengthening trade and investment at home is a practical and important step toward building a more competitive and resilient economy. Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to supporting these efforts and to working with our partners to create new opportunities for workers, businesses and communities throughout our province and across Canada.”
Honourable Tony Wakeham
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“At a time of global uncertainty and evolving trade relationships, it is more important than ever that we work together to build a stronger Canadian economy. By strengthening internal trade, we are creating the conditions for greater economic resilience, stronger supply chains, and long-term prosperity in every region of the country.”
Honourable Craig Pardy
Minister of Finance

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