The Manitoba and Ontario governments have signed a new agreement to break down interprovincial trade barriers. The new agreement will boost the flow of goods, services, investment and workers in both provinces, Premier Wab Kinew and Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced here today.
“We’re facing a tariff war on two fronts and now is the time to build up this country we love so much,” said Kinew. “Through this agreement with Ontario, we will unlock more economic opportunities for people in both provinces. As premiers, we are all working toward the common goal of powering our Canadian economy toward the future.”
According to a release from the provincial government, the premiers signed a memorandum of understanding today at Queen’s Park to signal the provinces’ intention to work together on direct-to-consumer alcohol sales and improved labour mobility between Manitoba and Ontario.
“Working together with provinces and territories across Canada, we are building a stronger, more competitive and more resilient economy that will protect our workers and communities and tie our country together,” said Ford. “Today’s MOU is just the latest step we are taking to unlock the enormous potential of true free trade within Canada, which will lower costs for families and add up to $200 billion to our national gross domestic product. I’m grateful to Premier Kinew for his partnership and leadership in getting this MOU done and I look forward to signing additional MOUs with other provinces as we move forward.”
In 2021, the value of total interprovincial trade between Ontario and Manitoba stood at $19.5 billion.
