Business leaders across Canada are pushing the federal government to tackle a longstanding economic hurdle: internal trade barriers between provinces. Nearly two-thirds of Canadian businesses consider removing these interprovincial obstacles should be a top priority, according to a new KPMG survey released this week.
The poll of 250 business leaders found 64% want Ottawa to eliminate trade barriers and harmonize regulations between provinces. An even larger majority — 82% — believe such changes would directly improve their company’s efficiency and productivity.
Tax reform also ranked high on business wishlists, with 58% of respondents calling for a comprehensive tax review to boost competitiveness. Meanwhile, 56% urged the government to streamline processes for major resource and infrastructure projects.
The findings come at a critical moment for newly elected Prime Minister Mark Carney, whose Liberal government will outline its priorities in Tuesday’s throne speech. Carney won last month’s election on promises to strengthen Canada’s economic resilience and champion nation-building projects amid U.S. tariff tensions.
“Businesses clearly see internal trade barriers as a significant drag on productivity at a time when we need every advantage,” said Mary Thompson, chief economist at KPMG Canada. “The data suggests streamlining interprovincial commerce could provide an immediate economic boost.”
Despite the focus on domestic improvements, external pressures loom large. The survey indicates that 76% of business leaders are bracing for a potential Canadian recession and taking preparatory steps amid ongoing trade uncertainty.
For many industries, especially those relying on cross-provincial supply chains, harmonized regulations could translate to substantial cost savings and operational efficiencies.