Toronto, Ontario – Enhancing trade across Canada helps businesses to grow and compete in new markets, which means more jobs for Canadians and greater choices for consumers across the country.
The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade, and the Honourable Scott Brison, President of the Treasury Board and Minister of Digital Government, announced federal actions that will improve economic competitiveness and help facilitate more trade between provinces and territories.
The Government of Canada is making the National Building Codes available for free, and is encouraging provinces and territories to align building codes across the country. Building codes make sure that Canadians’ health and safety are protected whenever their homes, places of work and other buildings are built or renovated. Having one set of rules reduces regulatory burden and removes barriers to internal trade in a sector that employs nearly 1.4 million Canadians. Consistently applied, harmonized building will lower costs for the construction industry and make it easier for businesses to bid on contracts across the country.
In addition, the Government of Canada is:
- Accelerating amendments to the federal Energy Efficiency Regulations for household appliances, so they align with the broader North American market;
- Clarifying labelling regulations to help food industry produce and market Canadian products;
- Modernizing meat inspection regulations; and,
- Standardizing what can be called “vodka” across Canada.
By reducing barriers to business growth and trade, the Government of Canada is helping to create good, well-paying jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it. Work to reduce barriers to trade between provinces and territories will continue at the First Ministers’ Meeting in Montreal on December 7, 2018.
Source : Government of Canada