Have you ever wondered why your favorite coffee creamer looks different in British Columbia? Or why some provinces have unique requirements for toilet seats on construction sites? 1 These intriguing quirks are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Canada’s interprovincial trade barriers. Spanning everything from alcohol regulations to grain dust standards 1, these barriers are as varied as they are complex. The real challenge? No one truly knows the full scope of the issue 1.
Now is an opportune time to delve into the nuanced complexities of Canadian interprovincial trade. According to the National Post, eliminating these barriers could inject a staggering $200 billion into the Canadian economy 2. When all trade barriers are laid bare for the nation to see, it becomes increasingly difficult to justify the regulatory differences that exist—from toilet seat specifications to coffee creamer container sizes, and even the need for a permit to export a moose 1.
By gathering data and enhancing our understanding of these interprovincial barriers, we can empower domestic manufacturers, suppliers, and supply chains. This internal collaboration not only fortifies our domestic market but also amplifies our potential for international trade expansion. Currently, Canadian manufacturers are missing significant opportunities to grow and compete on a global scale, while foreign competitors eye the gaps in our trading landscape.
While much of the discussion often focuses on the interprovincial barriers themselves, the true victory lies in dismantling them 1. A unified, efficient internal market allows businesses of all sizes to extend their reach across Canada. As hidden opportunities are uncovered and challenges addressed, the path is paved for a stronger, more resilient Canadian manufacturing industry. This transformation to break down barriers and build a more competitive, self-sufficient Canada, moves us forward to a future where Canadian businesses and Canadian manufacturing can thrive both domestically and internationally.
- TOLIET SEATS, TRUCKING AND OTHER TRADE TIE-UPS: A new solution to the old problem of Canadian internal trade. Canada West Foundation: Sarah Pittman, Carlo Dade & Martha Hall Findlay: November 2019. https://cwf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/2019-11-26-TIC_ToiletSeatsTruckingTradeTie-Ups_Report_Final.pdf
- The National Post: Stewart Lewis. It’s time to ‘tear down interprovincial trade walls’. But how close are we to doing it? February 5, 2025. https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/its-time-to-tear-down-internal-trade-walls-but-how-close-are-we-to-doing-so
