The Manitoba government has signed an agreement with the Ontario government to boost the flow of goods, services, investment and workers between the provinces, Premier Wab Kinew and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced Tuesday.
“We’re facing a tariff war on two fronts and now is the time to build up this country we love so much,” said Kinew. “Through this agreement with Ontario, we will unlock more economic opportunities for people in both provinces. As premiers, we are all working toward the common goal of powering our Canadian economy toward the future.”
The premiers signed a memorandum of understanding at Queen’s Park to signal their intention to reduce interprovincial trade barriers, including direct-to-consumer alcohol sales and improved labour mobility between Manitoba and Ontario.
“Working together with provinces and territories across Canada, we are building a stronger, more competitive and more resilient economy that will protect our workers and communities and tie our country together,” said Ford.
“Today’s MOU is just the latest step we are taking to unlock the enormous potential of true free trade within Canada, which will lower costs for families and add up to $200 billion to our national gross domestic product. I’m grateful to Premier Kinew for his partnership and leadership in getting this MOU done, and I look forward to signing additional MOUs with other provinces as we move forward.”
The premiers said the agreement would see the provinces rely on both existing legislation and upcoming legislation in Manitoba to help grow Canada’s economy. They also encouraged other provinces to remove internal trade barriers, including through reciprocal mutual recognition.
In 2021, the value of interprovincial trade between Ontario and Manitoba totalled $19.5 billion.
