May 29, 2025
Manitoba Government's Bill 47 Acts on Recommendation from Premier's Business and Jobs Council to Eliminate Interprovincial Trade Barriers
– – –Passing Trade Legislation Before First Ministers' Meeting Critical: Premier
The Premier’s Business and Jobs Council, co-chaired by Ash Modha, founder and CEO of Mondetta Clothing, and Kevin Rebeck, president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour, has recommended that Manitoba should work toward the elimination of interprovincial trade barriers to help grow the province’s economy, Premier Wab Kinew announced today.
Members of the council’s trade with the U.S. subcommittee who brought forward the recommendation are:
- chair, Ryan Kuffner, president and CEO, Economic Development Winnipeg
- Bram Strain, president and CEO, Business Council of Manitoba
- Chuck Davidson, president and CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce
- Jill Verwey, president, Keystone Agricultural Producers
- Gerry Price, chairman and CEO, Price Industries
- Gustavo Zentner, president, International Point of Commerce
- Loren Remillard, president and CEO, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce
- Mike Pulak, co-ordinator, United Steelworkers Manitoba Area
The council recommends the Manitoba government “harmonize standards and regulations with neighbouring jurisdictions and increase domestic collaboration cross-provincially and federally.”
This recommendation is consistent with similar calls to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers coming from the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce and Business Council of Manitoba.
“Harmonizing regulations or providing clearer guidance on compliance expectations would help companies navigate these differences more efficiently and reduce the burden of regulatory compliance,” said the committee. “Manitoba should strengthen its capacity for collaboration with other Canadian provinces and the federal government to ensure that provincial interests are effectively represented and integrated into comprehensive national trade policies and initiatives.”
The federal government’s speech from the throne on Tuesday delivered by King Charles III highlighted the need for free trade across the country by Canada Day. The Manitoba government has indicated they will extend the sitting of the legislature into the summer if Bill 47 is delayed passage, the premier noted.
With internal trade expected to be a key point of discussion at the upcoming first ministers’ meeting on Monday, it is crucial that Manitoba’s interprovincial trade legislation is passed without further delay, noted the premier.
Bill 47, the fair trade in Canada act, would remove trade barriers for goods and services between Manitoba and other jurisdictions in Canada.
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