June 30, 2025
Parteek Singh Mahal
SURREY, BC – According to the latest “State of Internal Trade report” by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), British Columbia’s efforts to reduce interprovincial trade barriers have earned the province an improved grade in 2025
Ryan Mitton, CFIB’s Director of Legislative Affairs for B.C., stated, “British Columbia has shown leadership by passing legislation that doesn’t require a patchwork of agreements to realize free trade.” He added, “While there’s still work to do, this unilateral recognition of outside goods and services is an example we’re calling on other provinces to follow. As a result, B.C. has moved from a B to a B+ in this year’s report card.”
Nova Scotia, the first province to introduce and implement mutual recognition legislation, achieved the highest grade in CFIB’s 2025 Internal Trade Report Card with a score of 9.4 (an A grade). Ontario is a close second after eliminating all of its CFTA exemptions, scoring a 9.2 (an A grade). B.C. rounds out the top four provinces with a score of 8.5 (a B+ grade), having introduced legislation that unilaterally welcomes extra-provincial goods and services without requiring a reciprocating agreement or memorandum of understanding (MOU).
Mitton further commented, “Despite significant improvements in B.C., the government still needs to fully implement its internal free trade legislation so goods, services, and labor can flow freely across provincial borders.” He concluded, “The finish line is in sight, but there is more work for B.C. to do.”
Federal and provincial governments have been working to remove internal trade barriers in the face of U.S. tariffs imposed by American President Donald Trump.
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