One country should be one market.

Give credit for the change.

The Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement on the Sale of Goods lets a good sold lawfully in one province or territory be sold in others, subject to listed exceptions. This can spare firms extra tests and forms.

That is the right starting point: accept each other’s checks. It is a gain worth defending. Our work now has to follow the exceptions and test the path a real seller takes.

Read the doors that stay closed.

The goods pact excludes food, live animals, alcohol, cannabis, tobacco and plants. Its scope also stops short of rules about how a good is sold and who may buy or sell it.

An exception needs a reason tied to harm. We want each one to name the risk, the evidence and the next review date. A narrow safety need should not become a broad shield for firms already in the market.

A federal change has a federal reach.

The new federal law recognizes comparable provincial or territorial rules for covered goods and services. It also gives a route from a provincial or territorial work licence to a comparable federal one. The law and rules took effect on 1 January 2026.

It does not wipe out provincial rules. Calling the whole job done would hide the work left. Calling the reform empty would hide a real gain. We will test the remaining barriers one by one.

What we want changed

1. Test each exception.

   Keep a narrow, public list. State the harm, the proof and a date to review each rule.

2. Follow real cases.

   Track the forms, fees and days faced by a seller or worker after the reform. Report refusals and appeals.

3. Finish the work.

   Use the same test for services, workers and goods outside the pact. Remove protection while keeping proven safeguards.

Who can act

Federal, provincial and territorial ministers, trade officials and the bodies that license work.

What this could cost the public

Rule changes have a cost to run. We have not priced it. Any new public aid needs a clear budget before it starts.