National

Brad Wall says time to scrap 'dumb' trade rules as West launches review

Darpan News Desk Canadian Press, 28 Aug, 2014 11:01 AM

The premiers of Canada's three western provinces announced Thursday they're going to review the remaining trade barriers between them as part of their New West Partnership.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said while the deal between his province, Alberta and British Columbia has made progress on easing the movement of goods and services across borders, more work can be done.

Wall said he was taken aback after discovering that a manufacturer of first aid kits would have to satisfy 10 different sets of regulations in order to operate throughout Canada.

"This seems dumb," Wall said. "At the heart of improving trade issues is trying to remove dumb from the economy."

B.C. Premier Christy Clark said the New West Partnership should serve as an example to other provinces looking for ways to bring down trade barriers.

"This is the most successful free trade bloc in Canada," Clark said. "Canada doesn't have a great track record of being free-traders between provinces. ... We are trying to lead by example."

The premiers are meeting in Charlottetown where they are also expected to discuss health care, pensions and the so-called fiscal imbalance with Ottawa. The meeting wraps up Friday.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Speed up land claims disputes in the courts, aboriginal leader tells legal group

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. - The leader of an organization representing Labrador Inuit is challenging the legal community to speed up the process in which aboriginal land claims wind through the courts so that generations aren't left waiting for answers.

Speed up land claims disputes in the courts, aboriginal leader tells legal group

Canada Commits Cargo Planes To Ship Arms For Kurdish Fighters In Iraq

OTTAWA - Two of Canada's military cargo planes will soon be ferrying weapons to Kurdish forces in northern Iraq — and the Harper government sounds prepared to do even more to counter the "barbarous attacks" of hard-line Islamic militants.

Canada Commits Cargo Planes To Ship Arms For Kurdish Fighters In Iraq

Fourteen-year-old Cali Bruce aims for record in long-distance charity swim to P.E.I.

HALIFAX - Cali Bruce will use memories of a cousin who battled cancer to motivate her as she swims across the normally choppy waters of the Northumberland Strait on Sunday in what could be a record-breaking effort for the 14-year-old girl.

Fourteen-year-old Cali Bruce aims for record in long-distance charity swim to P.E.I.

Tests OK, But First Nation Wants Long-Term Studies Before Consuming Fish

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. - Tests on water and trout in the waterways around a tailings pond breach in B.C.'s Interior remain within guidelines, but local First Nations aren't convinced the disaster won't have lasting repercussions.

Tests OK, But First Nation Wants Long-Term Studies Before Consuming Fish

Protesters Interrupt John Baird's Speech In London, Ontario

LONDON, Ont. - Protesters who oppose Canada's position in the Israel-Palestinian conflict interrupted a speech Friday by Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird in London, Ont.

Protesters Interrupt John Baird's Speech In London, Ontario

B.C. Aboriginal Leaders Meet To Talk Strategy Over Historic Land Claim Ruling

VANCOUVER - British Columbia's First Nations leaders are discussing whether they need to resolve their own territorial disputes in order to benefit from a landmark Supreme Court of Canada ruling.