Your bi-weekly briefing on policy developments, advocacy insights and the conversations that shape both regional progress and your business success. Good afternoon , Premiers gathered in Charlottetown last month for the Council of the Federation, and like last year, they said the right things about tearing down Canada's internal trade walls. This time, they backed it up with some progress. Nine provinces signed a long-awaited agreement letting breweries, wineries, and distilleries ship directly to consumers across provincial lines. Premiers also directed their trade ministers to start folding services into the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement that already covers goods. And just before the meeting began, Ontario committed to join Canada’s securities passport system, a significant step toward reducing duplication. These are all undoubtedly steps in the right direction. But a few steps doesn’t finish a marathon. Canada has been here before. We’ve seen waves of attempts at reform, with successive governments announcing agreements only for provinces to then carve out exceptions. Nothing yet has gotten us to a single market. So how do we get there? Our new report, Patchwork to Prosperity, lays out a specific framework to make it a reality. It calls on governments to establish a clear national vision for a single Canadian market, come together around a time-bound implementation plan, publicly track progress, and authorize the federal government to act as the guarantor to ensure the work gets done. With U.S. tariffs threatening Canadian exporters, premiers were explicit that a more unified domestic market is now an economic shield, not just a nice-to-have. Canada has the diagnosis right. The political will to cure it is growing. What's still missing is a single market to show for it. What to Expect in this Issue ▸ By the Numbers: A Single Canadian Market ▸ 3 Questions on Fixing Canada's Approach to Internal Trade ▸ Member POV    ▸ Featured Events   ▸ Policy at a Glance  SOURCES: Strength: World Bank Weakness: IMF Opportunity: IMF Threat: Bank of Canada 3 Questions on Fixing Canada's Approach to Internal Trade Interprovincial trade barriers aren't new. What Toronto Region Board of Trade argues is that fixing this requires looking at the issue in a new way. Instead of our current approach, where provinces are taking piecemeal steps resulting in a patchwork economy, the Board is calling on governments to set a deadline and develop a roadmap for the creation of a single market together. 1. Why hasn't the current political approach worked? “The problem is not a lack of political will to act, but the lack of a shared destination and a coordinated roadmap to reach it. Canada’s approach has largely focused on addressing individual barriers, removing exceptions, and introducing separate pieces of legislation. These efforts can improve conditions, but they do not result in a durable single market.” 2. What political arrangement would work? “Canada must move beyond periodic efforts to whittle down provincial barriers and finally commit to the Grand Bargain of a single national market. For priority sectors, governments should agree on national harmonized outcomes, interim milestones and a final implementation deadline, transparent accountability measures, and safeguards against backsliding.” 3. Why does Ottawa need to be the one holding the line? “The federal government is not simply one government among fourteen. It has a unique responsibility over the national economy, trade, supply chains, and transportation corridors. No individual province can guarantee the integrity of the single market or prevent barriers from re-emerging. Similar to Washington or Brussels, the provinces should authorize Ottawa to exercise its role as a guarantor and referee of the single market. Every province stands to benefit when its businesses can reach a larger market, attract investment, and access workers.” Read our new report, Patchwork to Prosperity: From Internal Tariffs to One Economy. Member POV “This year is likely to mark an inflection point for Canada’s economy as governments attempt to execute on policies that will create a more attractive environment for investment. From improving infrastructure to eliminating barriers to internal trade and reducing regulatory hurdles, Canada is hitting the reset button.” —Dawn Desjardins, Chief Economist at Deloitte Canada in 2026 Economic Outlook “The U.S. still accounts for the bulk of trade in both goods and services, but it's not a surprise that more exporters plan to pursue other markets. This is diversification, not decoupling. Canadian businesses remain committed to the U.S. market while building resilience and reducing risk through broader global trade relationships.” — Ali Jaffery, Partner and Chief Economist, KPMG Canada in Businesses see promise, want action on economic plan Get Involved Policy at a Glance RELATED REPORTS Patchwork to Prosperity: From Internal Tariffs to One Economy On our Radar: A Unified Vision for Interprovincial Trade Beyond Red Tape: Regulate for Growth The Steel Imperative: Unlocking Our Competitive Advantage in a Changing World Levelling the Playing Field: What's Needed   EVENT RECAP When Trust Travels: Leaders in Export Excellence 2026   ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Giles Gherson: Canada’s economy is splintered by a tyranny of small provincial difference Giles Gherson: Mark Carney wants Canada to compete globally, but first we must fix our regulatory mess at home Reading this as a forward? Subscribe to stay connected. 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