Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says he will introduce a bill next week to ease restrictions on the sale of out-of-province goods and services in Nova Scotia, citing the need to facilitate interprovincial trade in the face of U.S. tariffs.
Houston made the comments during a Feb. 20 press conference in Milton, Ont., at a campaign event held by Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Houston said the reduction of trade barriers would only apply to jurisdictions that adopt similar measures, and that Premier Ford, who will face an election at the end of the month, has signed on to the proposal.
“We’re getting the ball rolling to get rid of the foolishness that has held back companies from growing and creating good jobs, and today, together, we will take the first meaningful step to eviscerate internal provincial trade barriers,” said Houston.
“We’re on this road together, and I encourage everyone else to join us. If everyone gets on board, when you go to the store, the best, most affordable option will always be the Canadian option.”
The new legislation, which Houston said will be called the “Free Trade and Mobility Within Canada Act,” will ease provincial regulations, such as additional testing, for companies and service providers to operate in Nova Scotia, “because I trust the other provinces and territories to have stringent requirements for their professionals and service providers,” he said.
Interprovincial trade barriers, such as differences in trucking regulations for shipping goods and certification requirements for professionals, add between 7.8 percent and 14.5 percent to the price of goods and services in Canada, according to a Fraser Institute analysis.
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Houston cited the example of a Nova Scotia medical device firm who he said wants to reach markets in other provinces but doesn’t have “the time or energy to deal with the painful nuances of 13 different jurisdictions.”
The announcement comes as the U.S. tariff reprieve nears its end, prompting calls in Canada to facilitate internal trade and diversify markets to mitigate potential economic impacts. U.S. President Donald Trump on Feb. 3 agreed to a 30-day pause on 25 percent tariffs on Canada, and a reduced 10 percent levy on oil and gas, following Canada’s commitment to strengthen border security.
The president has since announced tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, set to take effect next month, and has signalled more tariffs may come as his administration reviews trade deals with other countries by April.
In his Feb. 20 address, Houston voiced support for the construction of pipelines to carry oil from western Canada to the rest of the country, describing it as a step toward decreasing Canada’s dependence on international suppliers.
“We can get it from our friends in Alberta,” Houston said. “Whether it’s energy, goods or services, let’s bring down the barriers between provinces for a true ‘team Canada’ approach.”
Earlier this week, the Nova Scotia government tabled its 2025-26 budget, which accounted for potential U.S. tariffs by introducing major tax cuts, a reserve fund in case Trump follows through with tariffs, and spending to develop the provincial economy.
On the same day, the government introduced a bill to repeal the province’s ban on uranium exploration and amend a law prohibiting hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, saying resource development would make the province more self-reliant, especially amid the threat of U.S. tariffs.
Houston and Ford are on a diplomatic trip to Washington, D.C., this week to engage with U.S. officials and make the case for tariff-free trade between the two countries. This follows a trade mission earlier this month in which all 13 premiers visited the U.S. capital.
