Poilievre unveils 'Canada First' plan to boost internal trade

The Conservative leader argues that stronger east-west trade will protect Canada from U.S. protectionism and Liberal mismanagement.

Sheila Gunn Reid
  |   February 03, 2025   |   News   |   1 Comment

 

The Canadian Press / Patrick Doyle

The Canadian Press / Patrick Doyle

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is taking aim at Canada’s outdated trade rules, vowing to tear down interprovincial barriers, boost the economy by $200 billion, and make the country less dependent on the U.S.

His “Canada First” plan would slash red tape, unify trucking regulations, and create a nationwide professional licensing system to get more Canadians working across provinces.

If elected, Poilievre promises to:

  • Convene a Premiers’ Summit within 30 days to eliminate as many trade exemptions as possible.
  • Standardize trucking rules to redirect billions of dollars in goods from U.S. routes to Canadian highways.
  • Implement a Blue Seal Licensing Standard so doctors, nurses, and engineers can work across Canada without bureaucratic delays.
  • Offer a Free Trade Bonus to provinces—allowing them to keep tax revenue generated from removing trade barriers.

Poilievre highlights how Canada’s trade rules benefit foreign countries over its own provinces. In 2023, international trade made up 66% of GDP, while interprovincial trade lagged at 36%. The Canada Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) contains 245 exemptions, making cross-border commerce easier than domestic trade.

Economist Trevor Tombe estimates eliminating these barriers could grow the economy by 7.9%—or $5,100 per person.

Poilievre argues that stronger east-west trade will protect Canada from U.S. protectionism and Liberal mismanagement. “We must take back control of our economy,” he said.

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Sheila Gunn Reid

Chief Reporter

Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.

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  • Bruce Atchison
    commented 2025-02-03 20:03:43 -0500
    This should have done by Stephen Harper. Let’s hope Pierre Poilievre has the stamina to punch through provincial barriers.