Saskatchewan joins B.C., Alberta in interprovincial free trade market
May 10, 2010
Saskatchewan joins B.C., Alberta in interprovincial free trade market
RICHARD GILBERT
staff writer
British Columbia and Alberta have signed an economic partnership with Saskatchewan that creates Canada’s biggest interprovincial free trade market and is designed to promote trade with Asia.
“We see this agreement as an opportunity to implement standards across three provinces and look forward to working with the Saskatchewan Construction Association and the Alberta Construction Association,” said Manley McLachlan, president of the British Columbia Construction Association.
“We have a great synergy between our associations, particularly with procurement. We are looking forward to approaching all three governments to discuss the details of this agreement.”
The premiers of the three provinces signed the New West Partnership at the third joint British Columbia-Alberta-Saskatchewan Cabinet meeting in Regina.
“This represents an historic step forward for western provinces, as they work together to provide economic leadership,” Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said.
“We are combining the strength of our three vibrant economies and working together to create lasting prosperity. Our three provinces have created a model that cements the West as the economic powerhouse of Canada.”
The partnership contains the following four components:
– A comprehensive economic agreement, which will remove remaining barriers to trade, investment and labour mobility.
– An international co-operation agreement, that will see the three provinces co-operate on trade and investment missions to international markets, and share foreign market intelligence to advance joint interests and increase business competitiveness;
– An innovation agreement, which will enable provincial efforts to be coordinated to better attract investment and talent, as well as build critical mass;.
– A procurement agreement that will enable the provinces to capitalize on their combined buying power through the joint procurement of goods and services.
“One of the evolving elements to this type of agreement is recognition that many aspects of construction companies operate in all three provinces,” said McLachlan.
“The challenge for associations is to look at impact of the agreement in our particular jurisdiction.”
The first major undertaking of the New West Partnership will be a joint mission to China and Japan in May.
Together, the three provinces will promote trade and commerce opportunities within Canada’s newest free-trade region and draw attention to the New West’s global leadership in clean technology, natural resources, and agri-food and agriculture.
The premiers will also highlight Western Canada’s many geographic and infrastructure advantages, including the region’s multi-modal Pacific Gateway and corridor transportation system.
