Today, the three premiers of the New West Partnership (Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia) sent a joint letter to all premiers in Canada urging them to support an ambitious Canada Free Trade zone for Canada’s internal economy.
 
New West Partnership premiers are calling on their colleagues across Canada to work together to overhaul and modernize the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT).  They want to create an AIT that eliminates as many barriers as possible and provides opportunities for businesses to grow and economies to diversify.
 
The new Canada Free Trade Zone would be a comprehensive renewal of the existing AIT based on:

• a negative list approach: as broad as possible where provinces and territories negotiate what is out, not what is in;
• full coverage for all procuring agencies;
• straightforward, accessible language; 
• continued vigilance on labour mobility; and,
• strong enforcement mechanisms with the teeth to make sure that we all play by the rules.
  

Premiers noted that the original AIT, first signed in 1995, was a giant leap forward at the time.  However, the AIT has not been able to keep up with changes in the economy and in international trade.
 
NWP premiers will be discussing what a new and improved AIT looks like at the upcoming meeting of the Council of the Federation in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, in August 2014.

Media contact:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252