Can bolstering provincial trade help thwart Trump’s tariffs? Ontario looks at reducing barriers [Video]

Doug Ford says pulling down internal trade barriers will be among his first orders of business when Ontario’s legislature resumes next month, and experts say the premier should start by addressing rules that make it difficult for workers to move seamlessly between provinces.

Ford told reporters last week that a bill to tackle interprovincial trade walls will be coming soon, but provided few details on his way into a meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and the rest of Canada’s premiers. He has praised Nova Scotia’s recent bill that offers mutual recognition of labour mobility, goods and services with other provinces.

“We’re getting rid of all the exemptions when we get back in the legislature,” Ford said last week. “That’s kind of the first piece of legislation. I know Premier (Tim) Houston has done it, and hopefully all the other premiers are going to follow, because it’s going to benefit …