Ontario and Manitoba Sign Deal to Break Down Interprovincial Trade Barriers

TORONTO — Ontario and Manitoba are strengthening economic ties and clearing the way for freer movement of goods, services, and workers between the two provinces. In a landmark agreement signed today in Toronto, Premier Doug Ford and Premier Wab Kinew formalized a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that supports the removal of internal trade barriers and boosts cooperation between the provinces.

This is the latest move in Ontario’s push to protect workers and businesses from the impacts of U.S. tariffs by enhancing Canada’s domestic market strength through the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act, introduced earlier this year.

“Today’s MOU is just the latest step we are taking to unlock the enormous potential of true free trade within Canada, which will lower costs for families and add up to $200 billion to our national GDP,” said Premier Doug Ford.

Today, Premier @WabKinew and I signed a historic MOU to tear down internal trade barriers between our two provinces so we can build a stronger, more resilient and more united Canada.https://t.co/lKC8bKB7Ud pic.twitter.com/sdZUA4ebtj

— Doug Ford (@fordnation) May 14, 2025

Opening More Doors for Trade and Labour Mobility

The MOU sets the stage for:

• Boosting interprovincial trade, which already totalled $19.5 billion between Ontario and Manitoba in 2021.

• Removing barriers to the flow of goods, services, and investments, including direct-to-consumer alcohol sales.

• Expanding interprovincial labour mobility, allowing workers to take on jobs across provinces more easily.

“Through this agreement with Ontario, we will unlock more economic opportunities for people in both provinces,” said Premier Wab Kinew.

Building a National Strategy Against Tariffs and Economic Pressures

Ontario is Canada’s largest interprovincial trading partner, with $326.6 billion in two-way trade in 2023, including a $41.2 billion surplus. The province continues to lead efforts to eliminate internal trade barriers, while calling on the federal government to fast-track approvals for nation-building infrastructure projects, such as pipelines, railways, and ports.

“Ontario is leading the way in breaking down interprovincial trade barriers, resulting in new opportunities for job creation, economic growth, and investment attraction,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade.

Ontario also announced the launch of the $50 million Ontario Together Trade Fund, designed to help local businesses tap into new interprovincial opportunities.

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