New Brunswick is making it easier for local businesses to grow and hire. The province just earned an A grade on the latest internal trade report card from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business. This marks the highest score New Brunswick has received to date and shows a massive improvement from a previous C rating.

Breaking Down Business Barriers

The high grade reflects the work the Department of Intergovernmental Affairs is doing to reduce barriers to trade and labour mobility. For business owners in Saint John and across the province, this means fewer hurdles when selling goods or services to other parts of Canada.

Premier Susan Holt highlighted the progress in a recent news release.

“New Brunswick is proving that provinces can lead the way in breaking down barriers and creating a stronger, more connected Canadian economy,” Holt said. “Through our leadership on internal trade, we are removing unnecessary barriers, improving labour mobility and creating more opportunities for New Brunswick companies to grow.”

How the Grades Are Calculated

The report card released Wednesday evaluated provinces and territories on three main areas of cooperation. Evaluators looked at exceptions to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, the existence of interjurisdictional barriers to internal trade, and the implementation status of items from reconciliation agreements.

New Brunswick is not alone at the top of the class. Nine other provinces, including Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, also received A grades.

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Jean Claude D’Amours noted the government wants to help local businesses reach new markets.

“By reducing regulatory barriers, improving cooperation with our provincial partners and creating more consistent rules for trade and labour mobility, we are delivering practical solutions that support economic growth and benefit New Brunswickers,” D’Amours said.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the internal trade report card?

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business issues this report card to grade provinces and territories on how well they reduce barriers to trade and labour mobility within Canada.

What grade did New Brunswick receive?

New Brunswick earned an A grade. This is a significant improvement from its previous C rating.

How does this impact Saint John businesses?

Fewer trade barriers make it easier and cheaper for local businesses to sell their products and services in other provinces. It also simplifies the process of hiring skilled workers from outside New Brunswick.

What criteria determine the grades?

The grades depend on three factors. These include exceptions to the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, existing barriers to internal trade, and the progress on implementing reconciliation agreements.