Government of Yukon
News archives
FOR RELEASE #08-308
December 8, 2008
Ministers Make Progress on Reducing Trade Barriers
WHITEHORSE – At a meeting in Ottawa Friday, trade ministers concluded two major items on the Council of the Federation’s Five-Point Action Plan on Internal Trade.
Provincial and territorial trade ministers approved wording to strengthen the Agreement on Internal Trade’s Labour Mobility chapter. All Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) parties, with the exception of Ontario, approved draft text to the AIT Dispute Resolution chapter which will significantly strengthen the enforcement mechanisms. This will include a more effective compliance process with the provision of an appeals process and the potential for monetary penalties.
Subject to final cabinet approvals, as of April 1, 2009, workers qualified to work in one jurisdiction will face no barriers when seeking work in other parts of Canada.
“Yukon remains committed to creating a more efficient and effective business and work environment,” Economic Development Minister Jim Kenyon said. “The Agreement on Internal Trade provides a valuable forum where we can work with our counterparts to achieve this goal.”
Minister Kenyon assumed the Chair of the Committee on Internal Trade for a one-year term effective Dec. 6. Yukon will host the annual Committee on Internal Trade meeting on June 16, 2009 in Whitehorse.
The AIT is a national, intergovernmental trade agreement signed by Canadian First Ministers in 1995 to reduce and eliminate barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services, and investment within Canada and to establish an open, efficient, and stable domestic market.
For more information on the AIT, please visit www.ait-aci.ca.
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| Contact: | |
| Matthew Grant Cabinet Communications 867-633-7961 mathew.grant@gov.yk.ca |
MaryRose Metcalfe Economic Development, Communications 867-456-3913 maryrose.metcalfe.@gov.yk.ca |