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2025-12-15 21:53:43
[Ontario Pushes for Intra-Regional Free Trade, Breaking Down Barriers to Target a $200 Billion Annual Economic Pie] ⑴ Ontario, Canada, is taking a key step by releasing a new draft bill under the Ontario Free Trade and Mobility Act 2025 to implement a "mutual recognition" mechanism with other Canadian jurisdictions. ⑵ This move aims to break down intra-Canada trade barriers that cost the national economy up to $200 billion annually and increase the prices of goods and services by up to 14.5%. ⑶ Under the mutual recognition principle, goods or services approved for sale or use in another recognized jurisdiction in Canada will be considered to meet Ontario's standards without additional testing, approval, or fees; similarly, businesses authorized to provide services in a recognized jurisdiction will be entitled to equivalent authorization in Ontario. ⑷ The province is also accelerating labor mobility; starting January 1, 2026, certified professionals can begin working in Ontario within 10 business days after regulatory agencies confirm their qualifications. (5) As Canada’s largest interprovincial trading entity, Ontario’s move aims to enhance its economic resilience and competitiveness by reducing red tape and accelerating market access for local businesses in the face of global market instability.
