Ontario inks MOUs with Alberta, Saskatchewan, and P.E.I. to boost internal trade, enhance labour mobility, and counter U.S. tariffs.
Historic Agreements Signed in Saskatoon
In a significant move to bolster Canada’s internal economy, Ontario Premier Doug Ford signed trade-focused memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with the premiers of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Prince Edward Island on Sunday in Saskatoon. The signing took place ahead of a scheduled first ministers’ meeting, marking a key step in Ontario’s push to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers and strengthen economic unity amid growing external pressures.
Purpose: Strengthening Domestic Trade and Labour Mobility
The MOUs are designed to streamline the movement of goods, services, investment, and workers across provincial borders. With mounting concerns over the impact of U.S. tariffs on Canadian industries, Ford emphasized that these agreements are aimed at protecting Ontario’s economy and, by extension, Canada’s. “We’re standing up for free trade within Canada,” Ford said, citing the need for a resilient, self-reliant economy.
The Broader Strategy Behind the MOUs
The Ontario government has been steadily expanding its interprovincial trade partnerships, having already signed similar agreements with Manitoba in May and with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in April. The latest MOUs include commitments to mutual recognition of goods and professional qualifications, regulatory cooperation, and the development of a national framework for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales.
Why It Matters: Responding to U.S. Tariffs and Economic Risks
The deals come at a critical time. In recent months, the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has imposed steep tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and auto exports — measures that Ford described as a direct threat to the Canadian economy. “We’re going to fight like we’ve never fought before,” Ford declared, framing the MOUs as a proactive countermeasure to U.S. trade aggression.
Provincial Leaders Voice Strong Support
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe praised the agreement for its potential to boost provincial and national economic strength. “It shouldn’t be easier to trade with other countries than it is within Canada,” Moe said. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith echoed this sentiment, calling the partnership a bold step toward a more unified and competitive economy. P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz added that eliminating internal trade barriers is vital for business growth and worker mobility.
Next Steps: From Words to Action
Under the agreements, the provinces pledge to enact enabling legislation to reduce internal trade restrictions while safeguarding public safety. They also plan to collaborate on policies that ensure a product or worker certified in one province can operate in another without redundant regulatory hurdles. A shared alcohol sales framework is also in development, aimed at expanding market access for producers and enhancing consumer choice.
Canada’s Economic Unity in Focus
With 35% of Canadian trade happening within provincial borders, the Ontario government sees this initiative as essential to long-term economic stability. As Ford and his counterparts champion a more open and integrated domestic market, the agreements signal a collective move toward building a stronger, united Canadian economy — one less vulnerable to international disruptions.
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