Restaurants Canada Statement on Interprovincial Trade

Restaurants Canada is encouraged to see the federal government’s initiative to remove more than half of its exceptions from the Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA). This move would foster a more open and integrated internal market, which is essential for stimulating economic growth and increasing the mobility of goods, services, and workers across provinces. By eliminating trade barriers and reducing exceptions, Canada can become more competitive, especially in the face of external challenges such as trade threats from the U.S..

This step will help streamline regulatory processes and enhance economic opportunities for businesses and workers including the $1.4 billion restaurant industry, the fourth-largest private employer in Canada, employing 1.2 million Canadians. It is encouraging to see provinces like Nova Scotia, Ontario, and B.C. also taking steps to ease trade and labour mobility. We encourage all provinces to follow the federal government and Nova Scotia’s lead.

“Restaurants Canada has been advocating to remove interprovincial trade barriers for years. It is crucial that all levels of government go further and continue collaborating to eliminate these barriers. This collective effort is a positive development for Canada’s internal trade and will drive long-term prosperity and collaboration between provincial and federal governments.,” said Kelly Higginson, President and CEO of Restaurants Canada.

Media Contact:

Milena Stanoeva, Restaurants Canada | media@restaurantscanada.org | 647-921-1758

About Restaurants Canada

Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing Canada’s diverse and dynamic foodservice industry. Restaurants are a $120 billion industry employing nearly 1.2 million Canadians and is the number one source of first-time jobs in Canada.