Ontario Unlocking Free Trade Within Canada

Ontario is Canada’s largest interprovincial trader. In 2023, two-way trade in goods and services between Ontario and its provincial and territorial counterparts resulted in $326.6 billion in economic activity.

Trade barriers within Canada cost the economy up to $200 billion each year, increasing the cost of goods and services Ontario families rely on by 14.5 per cent, at a time when families are already struggling from increased costs due to tariffs.

Today, April 16, 2025, our government introduced the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act. If passed, it which will tear down internal trade barriers, support economic integration and growth across Canada and cut costly and unnecessary red tape and trade barriers to help grow Ontario’s economy. Through this legislation, Ontario will lead the charge to tear down these barriers to unlock our full potential.

Additionally, Ontario has today signed a memorandum of understanding with New Brunswick, in support of a landmark free trade agreement that will bolster interprovincial trade.

Ontario also launched the new $50 million Ontario Together Trade Fund to help businesses make near-term investments so they can serve more interprovincial customers, develop new markets and re-shore critical supply chains.

Our government remains committed to supporting business and workers through these challenging economic times and will pursue additional measures and supports to ensure stability and resiliency.

Learn More: https://news.ontario.ca/en/release/1005786/ontario-unlocking-free-trade-within-canada