HALIFAX — A national call by Nova Scotia’s premier to reduce interprovincial trade barriers is welcomed by a number of business sectors in his province, as a new poll suggests broad public support for the idea across Atlantic Canada.
Tim Houston announced Thursday during an appearance with fellow Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford in Milton, Ont., that a yet to be tabled bill would allow Canadian goods and services to be sold in Nova Scotia without the need for further testing or red tape.
However, the lifting of restrictions would only apply to provinces and territories that pass similar legislation, and Houston called on them to follow Nova Scotia's lead.
Representatives from Nova Scotia’s wine and forestry sectors say they fully support any idea that will make it easier to sell their products in other provinces.
However, the Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture is more cautious, saying it needs to identify potential opportunities and challenges for farming operations before passing judgment.
Meanwhile, a new poll by Narrative Research says 92 per cent of Atlantic Canadians support the removal of trade barriers between provinces, while 75 per cent of those surveyed said they would likely buy Canadian goods given the threat of tariffs from the United States.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 22, 2025.
The Canadian Press
