Annual Meeting of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee of Ministers on Internal Trade

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – December 3, 2010 Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers responsible for Internal Trade met today in Saskatoon with the Honourable Jeremy Harrison, Saskatchewan Minister Responsible for Trade, chairing the meeting. 

The Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) approved amendments to the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT), which will allow for full labour mobility for financial services occupations.  This will achieve labour mobility for Canadians working in all regulated occupations, trades and professions.  The amendments also improve transparency in government procurement. 

Ministers endorsed an action plan to simplify the corporate registration and reporting process to government and the burden stemming from business licenses in two key sectors across Canada.  This work aligns with efforts aimed at reducing regulatory burden for business.  Ministers look forward to reviewing progress on these action plans at the next CIT meeting.

The Committee continues to discuss options to strengthen and improve the person-to-government process in the Dispute Resolution Chapter of the AIT. 

Ministers expressed their appreciation to Dr. Roger Gibbins, President of the Canada West Foundation, for sharing his perspective on internal trade in Canada.

Prince Edward Island will chair the next annual meeting of the CIT in June 2011.

Established under the Agreement on Internal Trade, the CIT meets annually to review progress on reducing or eliminating barriers to trade, investment and labour mobility across Canada.

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