Interprovincial trade is very important for improving a nation's economy. It also allows different regions to work together with minimal barriers. The Kingston Whig-Standard reported that there is talk of ensuring that all areas can work together freely across Canada. The Canadian Trucking Alliance supports efforts to make Canadian trade more accessible and profitable.
Tariffs from the U.S
President Donald Trump has already announced tariffs on Canadian goods. Some of them are already in place. Others are still looming over the Canadians' heads. However, at the same time, they will also come to pass. Such challenging times open doors to tough but smart discussions. Now, Canada is working on how to trade its own goods domestically. The story of tariffs is quite scary for Canada. It has sped up discussions on breaking interprovincial barriers. They want to see productivity and efficiency within their own borders. It would be a huge boost to their supply chain. In addition, with a proper supply chain, the economy would grow massively.
Breaking the Barriers
The discussion about free trade in Canada is not new. It has been around for a while now. Whenever a truck crosses a provincial border, it becomes subject to federal regulation. Different laws apply in different provinces. Such rules have a big negative impact on trade within Canada. The rules differ from one province to another. The rules could be training standards, weight issues, or access to rest stops. Different rules are not uniform across Canada. This means that one can never fully comply with all the rules in the various regions. This would make it hard to move goods from region to region.
There is no centralized system for motor carrier information, and there is significant inconsistency in most rules across Canada. There is a need for timely, accurate information, but it has not been available, leaving truckers in the dark. Now more than ever, such issues must be closed. For many years, most people have taken them lightly. However, amid the threat of tariffs, Canada is seeking quick yet long-term solutions.
Canada understands quite well where they have had problems over the years. They also know the solution is finding a way to work together. Having a rule that applies to one place and not the other is not sustainable. To make matters worse, some rules that allow one thing attract fines in another region. There must be uniformity in these regulations. And if not, there must be a way to accommodate each other without compromising safety.
A pilot program is in place to test how well the barriers can be overcome. Canada is willing to give unity a chance. It will earn them over $200 billion annually if they successfully break trade barriers. At the same time, some goods are subject to less stringent regulations to facilitate smooth movement. Working together will, without a doubt, improve productivity. It is just the beginning; the sooner all provincial governments are on board, the better. It is something that works. It is just a question of who gets on board and how soon.
