Quebec Plans Bill to Ease Interprovincial Trade Barriers

Quebec has introduced legislation aimed at significantly reducing interprovincial trade barriers by allowing goods from other provinces and territories to be sold, used, or consumed in Quebec without additional regulatory compliance. The bill, tabled by Minister for the Economy Christopher Skeete, also includes provisions to recognize professional certifications across provinces to facilitate labor mobility. While the legislation broadly promotes automatic recognition of products, exceptions may be applied and must be publicly disclosed, with sectors like construction and products such as alcohol treated separately due to specific regulatory differences. This initiative aligns Quebec with provinces like Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, reflecting a growing consensus to enhance internal trade as a response to external economic pressures including U.S. tariffs. Experts highlight that reducing interprovincial trade barriers can yield substantial economic benefits, with Atlantic provinces particularly affected by high internal trade costs. Overall, Quebec’s move is part of a broader effort by Canadian provinces and the federal government to boost economic resilience through improved internal trade and cooperation.