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The BC government has signed separate trade agreements with Ontario, Manitoba, and Yukon.
Photo by Jaana Björk
Premier signs trade agreements with Ontario, Manitoba, Yukon
Published 11:10 PDT, Wed July 23, 2025
Last Updated: 11:11 PDT, Wed July 23, 2025
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British Columbia shoppers will have more choice, while workers and professionals will have greater freedom to move between provinces after the signing of three internal trade agreements at the Council of the Federation.
Premier David Eby signed separate agreements with Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton. All have agreed to continue working to remove trade barriers between provinces and territories.
“At a time when we’re facing an unprecedented attack on our economy, it’s more important than ever that we work together to remove trade barriers between provinces,” Eby said. “With these trade agreements, we’re making it easier to buy and sell our great Canadian products to our fellow Canadian neighbours. This is another important step towards building a stronger economy here at home — one that’s less reliant on the U.S and works better for people.”
The agreement with Ontario makes it easier for people in regulated trades and professions to work in either province. The two provinces also agreed to work on a framework for a direct-to-consumer system for alcoholic beverages, so producers will have easier access to markets, while consumers will get more choice.
The Manitoba agreement includes measures to increase the mobility of regulated workers and professionals. B.C. will also endeavour to allow alcoholic beverages from Manitoba to be sold directly to B.C. consumers. Manitoba already permits this for B.C.’s alcoholic beverages.
B.C. and Yukon agreed to collaborate on removing barriers to trade. Both will also align standards for regulated occupations and registration processes. In May, both governments signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on the potential of connecting electrical grids.
The agreements were signed during a gathering of all 13 provincial and territorial premiers at the Council of the Federation meeting in Huntsville, Ont.
Topics discussed at the council’s summer meeting, which was hosted by Ford, included health, public safety, energy security, labour mobility, immigration, Canada-U.S. relations, sovereignty and national security, emergency management, and energy security, as well as international and internal trade.
When signing the agreements, Eby presented B.C.-themed gifts to his fellow premiers, including a signed B.C. Lions football jersey for Kinew.
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