Provincial-Territorial Committee of Ministers on Internal Trade

Provincial and Territorial Ministers responsible for Internal Trade completed a major initiative today when they agreed on how to include procurement by Provincial/Territorial Crown Corporations under the Procurement Chapter of the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)¹ . This will be achieved by January 1, 2005. This was a key component of the Workplan on Internal Trade approved by the Council of the Federation at its meeting in Vancouver on February 24, 2004.

Ministers are committed to full implementation of the Agreement on Internal Trade. Ministers also placed a focus on the future of the Agreement and how it can be revitalized.

During their meeting, Ministers discussed ways to address concerns about the decision-making process to facilitate progress on internal trade issues. Ministers acknowledged that the Agreement on Internal Trade is an essential element in the fabric of our economic union and will continue to work on the further reduction of trade barriers in Canada.

Ministers agreed that their first priority is to continue the implementation of the Council of the Federation’s Workplan on Internal Trade. They examined areas that are not currently covered by the provisions of the Agreement on Internal Trade and directed officials to prepare options to address these areas.

Ministers also agreed on the need for a more concerted effort by all governments across the country to communicate to Canadians on internal trade issues and ensure Canadians are informed of the significance of the AIT in reducing internal trade barriers and the continued progress being made under the direction of the Council of the Federation to improve internal trade.

The Premiers of New Brunswick and Manitoba will report to the Council of the Federation at its next meeting on July 28-30, 2004 on the outcomes of the Ministers’ discussions and recommendations.

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¹Nunavut is not a signatory to the Agreement on Internal Trade but maintains observer status on the Committee of Ministers on Internal Trade (CIT)