Premier Houston Urges Canada to Eliminate Inter-Provincial Trade Barriers Amid Tariff Concerns

In a recent development highlighting the growing tensions in global trade, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston has called on the Canadian government to take swift action in removing inter-provincial trade barriers. His remarks follow a phone call between Canadian premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, where concerns were raised about the anticipated imposition of 25 percent tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump on Canadian goods.
As Canada braces for the potential fallout of these tariffs, Premier Houston emphasized the importance of eliminating internal trade barriers within the country. In his statement, he stressed that the country must come together to ensure it is as economically strong and unified as possible in the face of external challenges.
“We need to ensure that our own internal borders don’t further restrict the movement of goods across provinces,” Houston said. “By reducing barriers to inter-provincial trade, we can strengthen Canada’s economy and better position ourselves to face external pressures, including trade restrictions from the United States.”
Currently, Canadian businesses often face significant hurdles when moving goods across provincial lines, including varying regulations, different standards, and a complex patchwork of laws that create inefficiencies and added costs. These inter-provincial trade barriers are seen by many as an outdated obstacle that undermines economic growth, especially as Canadian provinces are more interconnected than ever.
Houston’s call also aligns with his previous advocacy for the approval of the Energy East pipeline. The proposed pipeline, which would carry oil from Alberta to New Brunswick, has been a point of contention in Canadian politics. While some environmental groups oppose the project, Houston has urged the federal government to approve it, citing the significant economic benefits it could provide, especially in light of trade uncertainties with the U.S.
“The Energy East pipeline is a crucial infrastructure project that could help our energy sector and the Canadian economy at large,” Houston added. “We must act quickly to approve projects like these that have the potential to strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness.”
The call for reducing inter-provincial trade barriers comes at a critical time as Canada navigates its relationship with the United States under the leadership of President Trump. Canada has long been a strong trading partner to the U.S., but the relationship has become increasingly strained due to tariffs, trade wars, and uncertainty over policy changes. In this environment, Premier Houston’s remarks reflect a growing consensus that Canada must become more self-reliant and focused on improving internal economic cooperation.
As Canadian leaders continue to discuss how to address both external and internal challenges, Premier Houston’s leadership serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and action in the face of global uncertainties.