Carney Cabinet Introduces Trade, Infrastructure Legislation

On June 6, Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, and One Canadian Economy Minister Dominic LeBlanc introduced new legislation, the One Canadian Economy Act, that, if approved, would remove federal barriers to internal trade and labor mobility and advance infrastructure projects that the Carney administration believes are crucial for driving Canadian productivity growth, energy security, and economic competitiveness.

Regarding the infrastructure projects, under the bill, the federal government would determine whether a major project is in the national interest based on consultations with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples.

More specifically, each project would be evaluated based on whether they:

• Strengthen Canada’s autonomy, resilience, and security;
• Provide economic or other benefits to Canada;
• Have a high likelihood of successful execution;
• Advance the interests of Indigenous Peoples; and
• Contribute to clean growth and Canada’s objectives with respect to climate change.

Regarding trade, the legislation seeks to remove federal barriers to free trade within Canadian borders “while protecting workers, the environment and the health and safety of all Canadians.” In cases where there is a federal barrier, the legislation would allow a good or service that meets comparable provincial or territorial rules to be considered to have met federal requirements for internal trade. For Canadian businesses, this step would make it easier to buy, sell, and transport goods and services across the country.

Regarding labor mobility, if enacted the legislation would provide a framework to recognize provincial and territorial licenses and certifications for workers so that a worker authorized in provincial or territorial jurisdiction can more quickly and easily work in the same occupation in federal jurisdiction.

This new legislation also aims to make it easier to do business across Canada by removing regulatory duplication and cutting federal red tape and by reducing costs or delays for Canadian businesses who follow comparable provincial and territorial rules. Find more information at this link.