NATIONAL PULSE – Canadians support national standards on trade barriers
(Image: Mel Rothenburger.
Interprovincial barriers seen more as a drag on competition than a benefit to local industry protection
By ANGUS REID INSTITUTE
March 21, 2025 – One of the talking points in Canada’s response to American tariff threats hinges on removing so-called “interprovincial trade barriers”. Removing these barriers is an idea almost universally supported by Canadians and gaining traction in the public discourse. It may be “sexy”, according to Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, but is it that simple?
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds Canadians largely saying that these regulatory and certification requirements infringe on labour mobility and competition that would otherwise benefit their own province. That said, they are not entirely sold on all aspects of dropping interprovincial trade barriers.
Free movement of alcohol, access to purchasing auto-insurance from anywhere in the country, and recognition of credentials for doctors, nurses, and tradespeople are overwhelmingly supported. But supply management regulations draw mixed support and opposition, as does the idea of opening up government procurement to a broader swath of competition that might hurt companies closer to home.
Canadians hold competing views of trade barriers and protectionism, just as some economists say removing them would boost Canada’s GDP significantly, while others say this is vastly overstated.
Nonetheless, “mutual recognition” is something most would support. Under this concept, all provinces would recognize the others’ standards for goods, services, and professional licenses, even if some regions have lower regulatory standards. Fewer than one-in-five (17%) worry about the weakening of standards this may create, while two-thirds (68%) support the idea.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
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