Learn how we are improving interprovincial trade across Canada.
Trade within Canada is an essential driver of the Canadian economy. Eliminating barriers to internal trade will help to lower prices, increase productivity, and help diversify markets for New Brunswick businesses.
It is more important now than ever that we strengthen our economy across Canada, including within our provinces and territories, as we face tariffs and trade challenges from the U.S. We are working together with Canada's leaders and their teams to make it easier to buy, sell, and work with each other across the country.
New Brunswick is taking the lead on the development of a free trade area that will remove barriers with our neighbours and allow us to work together across provincial borders. The close ties, speed, economic makeup and strengths of our region give us the opportunity to work together closely to enable each province’s businesses, investors and workers to work seamlessly within one market. We are uniquely positioned to show leadership nationally by creating the conditions for true and meaningful free trade.
On March 20, 2025, Premier Holt sent a letter to the other Atlantic premiers asking them to commit to developing an agreement that would make Atlantic Canada a free trade area. This agreement would see the Atlantic Provinces become a single market operating with one set of rules governing trade and labour mobility. It would establish mutual recognition of regulations that affect the movement of goods, services and people and address the remaining barriers that limit trade within the Atlantic region.
The governments of New Brunswick and Ontario have signed a memorandum of understanding on free trade and labour mobility. The signing commits both jurisdictions to enhance direct-to-consumer alcohol sales and improve interprovincial labour mobility. It will also encourage the free flow of goods, services and investment, all while maintaining and strengthening public safety.
The governments of New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador have signed a memorandum of understanding on free trade and labour mobility. This agreement commits both parties to improve labour mobility and the flow of goods and services.
We are currently working to break down interprovincial trade barriers related to alcohol through amendments to the Liquor Control Act. These amendments would benefit New Brunswick consumers by giving them a larger selection of Canadian products to choose from, allowing them to buy alcohol directly from a province or territory identified in the regulation and eliminating personal exemption limits on liquor for people entering the province.
The amendments would also allow New Brunswick producers to sell their products to other jurisdictions.
We are making it easier to trade and invest by taking away several New Brunswick specific exceptions that were previously allowed under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA).
Going forward, the following entities that were previously not subject to the CFTA will now have to follow procurement rules, fostering greater competitiveness:
The removal of the following will only take effect September 1, 2025:
Discussions with other federal, provincial and territorial governments has been positive. Everyone agrees that we should work together to improve trading within Canada. This will help our businesses and workers do well, even when things are increasingly uncertain and competitive within the global economy.
We're committed to keep working hand in hand with other leaders in Canada to advance trade, which will help our economy grow and create more opportunities for people throughout our country.