The Ontario government's latest session has just begun, but the effort to promote and enhance trade is also off and running.
Premier Doug Ford met with two of his counterparts at Queen's Park in Toronto on Wednesday. Along with New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and Tim Houston from Nova Scotia, Ford signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to remove reciprocal trade barriers between those provinces and Ontario.
The agreement also includes plans to create a framework for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, to allow new opportunities for producers and give consumers additional choices at the retailer.
Ford said removing the barriers between the provinces is key to fighting back against tariff threats and rhetoric by the Trump administration.
"We need all 13 provinces and territories working together, along with the federal government, to build a stronger, more united Canada," said Ford.
Ford also announced on Wednesday that the government will introduce the Protect Ontario through Free Trade within Canada Act in the legislature.
If passed, the Act will allow Ontario to become the first province to party-specific exemptions under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, allow workers from other provinces to work in Ontario with fewer barriers, and hold a "Buy Ontario, Buy Canadian Day" on the last Friday in June to promote Ontario-made products.
Ford said the current provincial trade barriers cost about $200-billion annually and lower gross domestic product.
"Much like President Trump's tariffs, these trade barriers hurt our economy, drive away jobs and investment, and drive us away from each other," said Ford.
According to the Premier's Office, 35 per cent of Canada's trade is within its own borders.