Ottawa, March 22, 2025 – Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that his government, in collaboration with Canada’s premiers, has committed to developing a national trade strategy aimed at achieving free trade across provinces and territories by Canada Day (July 1, 2025).

“We intend, from a federal level, to have free trade by Canada Day,” Carney said, highlighting that the strategy would focus on removing barriers that currently hinder transportation, energy, critical minerals, and digital connectivity across the country.

New National Trade Strategy in the Works

Carney’s pledge comes after a high-stakes meeting with Canada’s premiers, where they discussed strategies to boost interprovincial trade and strengthen economic ties between provinces. The new strategy aims to dismantle long-standing trade barriers that cost the Canadian economy billions each year due to inefficiencies in transporting goods and services across provincial lines.

“Canada is stronger when we work together,” Carney stated. “Our goal is to build a seamless internal market that benefits all Canadians, ensures supply chain security, and enhances economic resilience.”

Key Focus Areas of the Trade Plan:

🔹 Transportation Efficiency: Easing regulations to allow goods to move faster and more affordably across provinces.
🔹 Energy and Critical Minerals: Streamlining processes to encourage investment in clean energy and facilitate the movement of critical minerals essential for the green transition.
🔹 Digital Connectivity: Removing regulatory barriers to improve digital infrastructure and expand high-speed internet access nationwide.

Ontario Premier: Energy Tax on U.S. Still Under Consideration

As part of the broader economic strategy, Ontario Premier Doug Ford indicated that hiking energy taxes on U.S. imports remains “on the table” to protect Canadian industries and level the playing field.

“We are exploring all options to protect Canadian jobs and industries,” Ford said following the meeting. “If we need to adjust energy tariffs to ensure fairness for Canadian producers, we won’t hesitate.”

Ford’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about energy security and the need to safeguard Canada’s industrial base as global competition intensifies.

Challenges to Achieving Free Trade

While Carney’s ambitious timeline is welcomed by many business leaders, achieving free trade between provinces has historically been challenging due to entrenched regulations, differing standards, and political disagreements.

Interprovincial trade barriers have been estimated to cost the Canadian economy between $50 billion to $130 billion annually. Despite multiple attempts to address these issues, progress has been slow.

However, Carney’s government is confident that with renewed political will and cooperation from the provinces, a significant breakthrough can be achieved.

Support for Workers and Businesses

In addition to the free trade push, Carney promised a “slew of support” for workers and businesses to help them adapt to the evolving economic landscape.

“We’re not just focused on breaking down barriers,” Carney said. “We’re also committed to ensuring that Canadian workers and businesses are equipped to thrive in a more integrated and competitive marketplace.”

Aiming for Canada Day Deadline

With just over three months until Canada Day, the government faces a tight timeline to finalize agreements and secure the necessary legislative changes to implement a comprehensive free trade framework.

“This is a historic opportunity to finally realize the potential of an integrated Canadian economy,” Carney concluded. “We are determined to get this done – for the benefit of every Canadian.”