Business Groups Welcome Progress Toward Single Canadian Market

Provincial and territorial chambers of commerce are welcoming new commitments aimed at reducing barriers to trade and labour mobility between provinces and territories.

The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce says ministers responsible for internal trade made progress in Iqaluit by agreeing to accelerate work on mutual-recognition legislation, establish a 30-day service standard for labour-mobility applications and set timelines for further reducing barriers to doing business across Canada.

The commitments closely align with recommendations in Chambers of the Federation: An Agenda for a More Competitive Canada, which was presented to premiers in Charlottetown in July.

The business community has been calling on governments to move from commitments to implementation on internal trade, labour mobility and regulatory alignment, with clear deadlines and accountability.

“Five weeks ago, we asked premiers to accelerate their work on internal trade. This week, governments delivered meaningful progress,” Atlantic Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rhonda Tulk-Lane said. “A 30-day labour mobility standard, a fall deadline for mutual-recognition legislation and a December target for services are the kind of specific, dated commitments businesses have been waiting for.”

Under the latest agreements, governments are targeting the fall of 2026 for agreement on model mutual-recognition legislation, which would help create a more integrated Canadian market.

A 30-day service standard for labour mobility is also being established to help qualified workers move more easily between provinces and territories.

Governments are additionally targeting December 2026 for further mutual recognition of services, while continuing efforts to reduce barriers involving food and alcohol.

The chambers are now calling for governments to maintain momentum on other priorities, including time-bound regulatory reforms, trade and energy corridors, faster approvals for major projects, domestic procurement and stronger Canadian supply chains.

The group says reducing internal trade barriers is particularly important amid continued uncertainty surrounding Canada-U.S. trade.

Removing barriers between provinces and territories could help businesses access workers, reach new customers, strengthen supply chains and make investment decisions with greater confidence.

The chambers say the ultimate goal is to turn the latest commitments into a functioning single Canadian market for businesses and workers.