BC’s Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement aims to Facilitate Interprovincial Trade

December 1, 2025

A new agreement signed by all provinces, territories, and the federal government will break down interprovincial trade barriers, making it easier for B.C. businesses to sell products across Canada, and for people to buy Canadian-made goods.  

“When threats to Canada’s economic security land at our doorstep, we’re at our best when we work together as one country,” said Premier David Eby. “That’s why our government has led the effort to make it easier for businesses to grow and create good jobs across provincial and territorial lines. This is part of our work to build an economy that’s less reliant on the United States and works better for all Canadians.”  

The Government of B.C. proposed, chaired and championed a national initiative to establish the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement (CMRA), which was signed by federal, provincial and territorial trade ministers in Yellowknife on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025, through the national Committee on Internal Trade.   

Once the agreement is implemented, Canadian businesses will no longer have to search through the thousands of rules of 14 different jurisdictions to determine what, if any, requirements they must meet to sell their goods across Canada. If a good can be lawfully sold in B.C., it will no longer face additional testing, certification or other approvals before it can be sold across the country. Any exceptions to this standard will be clearly identified.  

The CMRA applies to the sale of all goods except food and will take effect in December 2025. It will cover thousands of products, from manufacturing inputs and health technologies, to clothing, toys, industrial products, tires and vehicles, helping businesses grow and people benefit from greater choice.  

The agreement also allows each province to provide exceptions, and ensures provincial regulatory standards are protected, while providing confidence to international businesses that Canada is an attractive economy to invest in and create jobs.  

Creating momentum for more action toward free movement of goods and services 

B.C.’s work to lead the initiative builds on the Province’s Economic Stabilization (Tariff Response) Act, enacted in May 2025, which gives the Province new tools to expand interprovincial trade.  

B.C. has also signed memorandums of understanding with other provinces to support labour mobility, direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, and to explore connecting electrical grids with the Yukon.  

This work is part of the Province’s Look West plan for jobs and industry, which outlines B.C.’s approach for rising to the challenges brought on by U.S. tariffs and increasing global economic instability, and lays out priorities for the path ahead — to deliver jobs and opportunities for people.  

Quick Facts: 

• Economic analysis suggests mutual recognition could increase Canada’s GDP by up to 7.9%, unlocking as much as $200 billion annually, and improving productivity by reducing regulatory delays and freeing resources for innovation and growth. 
• In early 2023, the B.C. government launched the Trade Diversification Strategy to strengthen and expand the province’s trading base.  
• Through this initiative, B.C. is fostering trade and investment opportunities in new markets, while growing its presence in established ones, increasing both the number and diversity of B.C. exporters.  
• Currently, the province benefits from a network of more than 50 trade and investment representatives across 14 key markets in North America, Europe and Asia.     

Learn More: 

• To learn more about free trade within Canada, visit: https://www.gov.bc.ca/DomesticTrade
• To learn more about the Committee on Internal Trade, visit: https://www.cfta-alec.ca/contact-us/committee-on-internal-trade   
• To learn more about the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, visit: https://www.cfta-alec.ca/canadian-free-trade-agreement   
• To read Look West: Jobs and Prosperity for a Stronger BC and Canada, visit:  https://gov.bc.ca/LookWest  
• To read B.C.’s Trade Diversification Strategy, visit:  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/international-investment-and-trade/trade-diversification-strategy 
• For more about trade and investment in B.C., visit: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca/for-bc-businesses/

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