SKEENA REGION, B.C. – As Canada continues to navigate a rocky trade relationship with the United States, a major debate is unfolding in Ottawa about the best way to secure our economic future. The federal government has now put its chips on a new strategy: fixing our own economy from within by tearing down the trade barriers that have existed between our provinces for generations.
For businesses and workers in the Skeena region, this complex national policy could have very real-world consequences. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what it all means.
The Problem: The ‘One North American Economy’ Has Flaws
For decades, the idea has been that deeper economic integration with the United States is the key to Canadian prosperity. After all, about 75% of our exports go to the U.S. However, as many in the Northwest have seen firsthand, this deep connection has serious vulnerabilities.
- Tariff Shocks: When the U.S. decides to impose tariffs, our local industries are hit hard. The recent doubling of tariffs on aluminum, for example, created immediate uncertainty for the Rio Tinto smelter in Kitimat, a cornerstone of our regional economy. This shows that even with “free trade,” a sudden policy change in Washington can threaten local jobs.
- Uneven Benefits: Deep integration tends to benefit massive corporations in sectors like energy and auto manufacturing. Smaller businesses, like a craft brewery in Smithers or a tech start-up in Terrace, often find it just as hard to sell their products in another province as they do in another country.
The Solution: Fixing Canada First with the “One Canadian Economy Act”
In response to these challenges, the federal government recently passed the “One Canadian Economy Act.” The goal is to create a true, seamless national market within Canada’s own borders.
This new law tackles two main issues:
1. Removing Inter-Provincial Barriers: For over a century, provinces have had their own unique regulations, taxes, and professional standards. This has created a tangled web of “internal trade barriers.”
- What this looks like: It means a certified tradesperson from Alberta might have to go through expensive and time-consuming re-certification to work on a project in B.C. It means a small business in Prince Rupert might face different trucking regulations and taxes to ship their goods to Manitoba than to Saskatchewan.
- The Fix: The new act aims to establish mutual recognition. This means if a product is approved for sale in one province, it should be approved for sale in all of them. If a worker is certified in one province, that certification should be recognized everywhere. This could make it much easier for a Skeena-based business to expand its market from coast to coast.
2. Streamlining Major Projects: The act also aims to speed up the approval process for major infrastructure projects deemed to be in the “national interest,” such as pipelines, ports, and mines. While this has raised concerns from some First Nations about consultation rights, the government’s goal is to cut down on red tape to get major projects built faster. For the Skeena region, with numerous proposed LNG and mining projects, this could have a significant future impact.
What Does This Mean for Us?
While the United States will always be our most important trading partner, the federal government is now betting that a stronger, more unified Canadian economy is our best defense against global uncertainty.
Instead of focusing solely on a “One North American Economy,” the priority has shifted to building a “One Canadian Economy” first. The idea is simple: if we make it easier for businesses in Terrace to trade with Toronto than with Tacoma, our entire country will be more resilient, prosperous, and self-sufficient.
