Business leaders urge Ontario to join the New West Partnership

In an open letter to Premier Doug Ford, nine business associations urge the Ontario government to join the New West Partnership.

Dear Premier Ford,

At a time of economic uncertainty, when families across the country are struggling with the high cost of living, there is something you can do to inject billions of dollars into your economy – join the New West Partnership Agreement. This step will unlock unprecedented opportunities for both Ontario and Canada as a whole, while improving the conditions for investment.  

A recent study found that if Ontario joined the New West Partnership, its economy could grow by as much as $4.1 billion annually. This would boost household income by approximately $1,000 per family and create new revenues of roughly $420 million for the province.  Economic gains would also expand beyond Ontario, with the economies of western provinces expected to grow by roughly $3.5 billion per year.      

Interprovincial trade barriers in areas such as procurement, trucking, agriculture and agrifood continue to drive up costs for Canadians and hold back businesses from fulfilling their potential. In 2017, Statistics Canada estimated that the amount of economic activity restricted by non-tariff trade barriers was equal to having a seven per cent tariff on interprovincial trade. This means goods across the country cost seven per cent more than they should.

These barriers also impact skilled workers by preventing them from operating in other provinces. We recognize your government’s efforts to improve labour mobility conditions, notably by removing barriers for healthcare professionals, but more must be done across Canada. There is no reason a skilled tradesperson or professional with relevant experience should face an administrative barrier when seeking employment outside their province.   

Governments across Canada are under economic pressure, facing higher deficits and increased borrowing costs, while spending demands on everything from infrastructure to social programs are mounting. Increasing economic activity within and between provinces will help to ease those economic pressures and lower deficits. As Ontario advances its industrial strategy, interprovincial trade is a key part of the province’s economic success.

Joining the New West Partnership demands bold action and commitment. As the Premier of Ontario, you have a choice.  While previous administrations chose to maintain these trade barriers that hold back Ontario’s economic potential, you can demonstrate national leadership by working with western provinces to expand your economies to benefit your consumers, workers and businesses. Canada’s business community stands ready to work with you to remove trade barriers and usher in a new era of opportunity for millions of Canadians.

Hon. Perrin Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Chamber of Commerce
Goldy Hyder, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Canada
Anthony Norejko, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Business Aviation Association
Laura Jones, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of British Columbia
Sueling Ching, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ottawa Board of Trade
Giles Gherson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Region Board of Trade
Adam Legge, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Alberta
Bram Strain, President and Chief Executive Officer, Business Council of Manitoba
Daniel Tisch Echevarria, President and Chief Executive Officer, Ontario Chamber of Commerce