COMMITTEE ON INTERNAL TRADE MEETING
Ottawa, Ontario
March 30, 2026 — Ottawa, Ontario
Federal, provincial, and territorial Ministers responsible for internal trade met today to build on the momentum from 2025 and respond directly to First Ministers’ direction from January 2026 to build a more resilient and streamlined Canadian economy and to unlock Canada’s full economic potential. This meeting represents the first Committee on Internal Trade (CIT) session chaired by Nunavut, under the leadership of The Honourable Craig Simailak.
Ministers committed to expand the mutual recognition agreement to services by the end of 2026 in line with First Ministers’ direction. As part of the commitment, businesses and industry will be engaged to inform this agreement.
Ministers noted continued progress on the implementation of the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement (CMRA) on the sale of goods. A new User Guide is now available on the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) website.
Ministers welcomed the entry into force of the new Financial Services Chapter under the CFTA. This represents a significant milestone for the financial services sector. The Chapter will provide greater transparency, predictability and improved market access for firms across Canada.
CIT Ministers heard from the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Forum on Housing Co-Chairs regarding the First Ministers’ commitment to align practices and promote greater consistency in the approval of new building materials and prefabricated housing by the end of 2026.
CIT Ministers committed to completing the ongoing negotiations to the CFTA to strengthen labour mobility provisions by June 2026 to support workers and address labour needs across Canada, with implementation subject to each jurisdiction’s legislative and regulatory processes.
CIT Ministers also heard from co-chairs of the Forum of Labour Market Ministers on progress to implement credential recognition for tradespersons through the use of digital verification by Spring 2027. CIT Ministers were also informed of progress by Ministers responsible for labour to recognize priority occupational health and safety training requirements in the construction sector by Fall 2026. Ministers supported the timely completion to support workers and address labour needs across Canada as we build a more resilient economy.
Ministers also look forward to the work being advanced by Ministers of Agriculture to reduce trade barriers in food and agriculture within Canada.
Participating provincial-territorial governments discussed progress and reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on direct-to-consumer sales of alcoholic beverages announced in July 2025. Eleven provinces and territories have signed the MOU to support consumers being able to order their favourite Canadian wine, spirit, beer or other alcoholic beverage directly from the producer, for personal consumption. Governments who have not already implemented will continue to prioritize working towards the agreed upon May 2026 deadline for advancement of the MOU, depending on legislative requirements for each jurisdiction.
Lastly, Ministers launched the new Domestic Trade Commissioners Network, co-chaired by Canada and Quebec, and agreed to strengthen coordination to help Canadian businesses identify and access new domestic market opportunities. The Network will collaborate on domestic trade missions and other opportunities to help small and medium businesses grow across Canada.
Ministers expressed appreciation to Nunavut for chairing this important meeting. The CIT will continue to meet throughout the year to advance initiatives and maintain momentum on strengthening the pan-Canadian internal market.
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