Kelowna: In a month already marked by two Kelowna Chamber policy wins [wine sales to Alberta and short-term rentals], a third policy has moved into the limelight with government. “Interprovincial Trade Barriers Need to Fall.” Adopted in October 2024 in Halifax it’s a hot topic in the face of tariff threats from the U.S. Provincial premiers are re-dedicating their efforts to removing the barriers which cost 4% a year to Canada’s GDP, according to Candace Laing, President & CEO of the Canadian Chamber.
“This is the moment to move,” said Laing on a call to the national Chamber network on January 27. “The provincial premiers are meeting now to figure out how to drop these barriers and adding rather than subtracting from Canada’s GDP growth.”
Maryse Harvey, President of the Kelowna Chamber was in Halifax when the policy was presented by the vice-chair of Kelowna’s Policy Advisory Committee, Curtis Tarapaski. “The subject was fully accepted by the delegates, only missing a 100% adoption by a vote or two,” said Harvey. “Our research shows that the growth in GDP could be as much as $200 billion over the next decade if these barriers on labour, lumber, liquor and many more products and services are removed within Canada. It is an effective way to cushion Canada from the recessionary pressures tariffs would cause.”
Also today, Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston spoke out about potentially dropping inter-provincial trade barriers as part of the national response. He offered his assessment of the fallout of potential U.S. tariffs and their impacts on his province. He said there are interprovincial trade barriers that can make it difficult for Nova Scotia companies to sell their products in other parts of the country and that he is committed to doing his part in removing those barriers and opening up new markets.
Kelowna’s national policy can be viewed on the chamber’s policy and advocacy webpage.