Canada’s internal trade barriers continue to create costly and inconsistent rules that make it harder for businesses to move goods, offer services, and employ workers across provinces and territories. While some barriers exist for legitimate reasons, many are outdated or simply protectionist – driving up costs for consumers and discouraging investment for businesses.
New data from the International Monetary Fund showed Canada could boost real GDP by nearly 7% by removing internal trade barriers, and governments across the country have renewed their focus on modernizing domestic trade. Over the past year, several provinces and territories have taken meaningful steps by introducing or advancing mutual recognition policies that simplify regulatory requirements across jurisdictions.
Building on the June 2025 the State of Internal Trade: Canada’s Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card, CFIB’s latest snapshot tracks key developments since its release. It highlights where governments are making progress, where challenges remain, and what these changes mean for small businesses.
Read the report:
CFIB, State of Internal Trade: Canada’s progress on internal trade in 2025. February 2026.
The 2026 edition of Canada’s Interprovincial Cooperation Report Card will be released in the summer of 2026.
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