The governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick have signed a memorandum of understanding on free trade and labour mobility. Newfoundland and Labrador is New Brunswick’s fourth largest trading partner when considering two-way trade.

In an effort to boost the Canadian economy and combat tariffs from the United States, Canada’s Premiers are working together with the Federal Government to reduce interprovincial trade barriers. This agreement commits both parties to improve labour mobility, flow of goods, services, and investment that will contribute to sustained economic activity.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is working as part of a united Team Canada approach to identify interprovincial trade barriers that can help create new economic opportunities. It has also led a series of productive roundtable discussions with industry, community, and labour that have helped inform the creation of Buy Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada campaign, which includes local marketing to encourage residents to support local and Canadian businesses, as well as trade development activities.

The Provincial Government has also earmarked $200 million in a contingency fund to support those negatively affected by U.S. tariffs, made changes to Credit Union Regulations, and launched the Seafood Marketing Support Program.

Quotes
“This partnership reflects the shared commitment of our two provinces to build a more connected Atlantic Canada for the betterment of our residents and economy. Through today’s MOU, Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick will work together to create new opportunities that promote internal trade and advance infrastructure projects, that ultimately contribute to a stronger Canada.”
Honourable Dr. Andrew Furey
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador

“Canada is coming together to break down interprovincial trade barriers and I’m proud to be taking the next steps with Premier Furey and Newfoundland and Labrador. We’re working to ensure that all products, services and credentials that are approved by Newfoundland and Labrador are automatically recognized by New Brunswick and vice versa. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians and New Brunswickers have long been good friends, and now we will be great trading partners.”
Susan Holt
Premier of New Brunswick

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BACKGROUNDER

Memorandum of Understanding
On Enhancing Internal Trade and Labour Mobility Between:
The Government of New Brunswick
And
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(hereinafter jointly referred to as “the Parties”)

WHEREAS the Canadian economy is currently subject to economic and geopolitical uncertainty, including various tariffs and tariff threats on Canadian products, which threaten Canadian workers and businesses;

AND WHEREAS the Parties are committed to significantly expanding the ability of workers and businesses within their respective jurisdictions to take advantage of commercial opportunities across Canada, and in doing so strengthen Canada’s economy;

AND WHEREAS the Parties trust federal, provincial and territorial regulatory bodies to make sound decisions that put the safety of Canadians first;

AND WHEREAS the Parties are committed to significantly reducing barriers to trade with other provinces and territories, including through the ongoing work of the Committee of Internal Trade under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement;

AND WHEREAS New Brunswick has demonstrated leadership by tabling legislation to improve interprovincial labour mobility and Newfoundland and Labrador has demonstrated leadership by passing the Fair Registration Practices Act to enhance labour mobility for workers intending to practice in the Province;

AND WHEREAS Newfoundland and Labrador shall maintain its jurisdiction regarding the development and management of its natural resources.

Through this Memorandum of Understanding, the Parties agree as follows:

1. Work towards removing internal trade barriers between the Parties, so as to improve interprovincial labour mobility, flow of goods, services, and investment that will contribute to sustained economic activity.
2. Through New Brunswick’s bill entitled An Act to Amend the Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act and Newfoundland and Labrador’s Fair Registration Practices Act, and any additional legislation that may be required in the future by either of the Parties, they will strive to ensure that a regulated worker that is deemed acceptable for work in New Brunswick, is deemed acceptable for work in Newfoundland and Labrador – and vice versa.
3. Through any additional legislation that may be required in the future by either of the Parties, they will strive to ensure that a good or equivalent service that is deemed acceptable for sale or use in New Brunswick, is deemed acceptable for sale or use in Newfoundland and Labrador – and vice versa.
4. Encourage other Atlantic Canadian jurisdictions to join New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador to jointly liberalize trade in the Atlantic Region. The Parties will also strive to encourage other Canadian jurisdictions outside Atlantic Canada to join the region with similar levels of ambition related to improving internal trade.
5. Further facilitate interprovincial labour mobility by working together to identify options to align regulated occupations and registration, while maintaining and strengthening levels of public safety.
6. Recognizing that New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador value the key role of all Crown entities in their respective jurisdictions, both Parties will work towards improving and facilitating market access, while maintaining the integrity of the Crown entities and their distribution practices in their respective jurisdictions.
7. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) sets out the understanding of the Parties with respect to their cooperation but is not legally binding and does not create any legal, equitable or financial rights, obligations or liabilities for either of the Parties.

Source: gov.nl.ca