Ontario and Manitoba Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Tear Down Interprovincial Trade Barriers

May 26, 2025

Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to support the removal of barriers to trade between their two provinces.

This latest MOU follows the recent signings of MOUs in support of free trade with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, as well as the recent introduction of the Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act. This act is a nation-leading piece of legislation designed to break down barriers to the free trade of goods and services and the movement of qualified, in-demand workers throughout Canada, to help Ontario and Canada withstand the impact of U.S. tariffs and whatever other challenges may come our way.

Through the MOU signed today, Ontario and Manitoba are agreeing to boost the flow of goods, services, investment and workers, including through direct-to-consumer sales of alcohol and improved interprovincial labour mobility. In 2021, the value of total interprovincial trade between Ontario and Manitoba stood at $19.5 billion.

“We’re facing a tariff war on two fronts and now is the time to build up this country we love so much,” said Premier Kinew. “Through this agreement with Ontario, we will unlock more economic opportunities for people in both provinces. As premiers, we are all working toward the common goal of powering our Canadian economy toward the future.”

Ontario is continuing to work with the federal government and other provinces and territories to tear down internal trade barriers and unlock the full potential of our national economy. Ontario is also continuing to push the federal government for the swift approval and funding of nation-building projects that will support economic growth and tie the country together, including new pipelines, railways, airports and seaports.

Ontario is Canada’s largest player in interprovincial trade. Two-way trade in goods and services between Ontario and other provinces and territories was worth over $326 billion in 2023. The Ontario government will continue to work with its federal, provincial and territorial partners through the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) and other trade-enhancing initiatives to advance interprovincial trade across Canada.

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