There is a mixed reaction from the opposition to the Ford government’s plans to improve inter-provincial trade.
Ford struck trade deals with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick this week with hopes of signing others in the near future.
There are also measures to reduce restrictions on out-of-province trained workers, including nurses and doctors, so they can work in Ontario.
NDP leader Marit Stiles supports expanding trade between provinces but wants to ensure Ontario’s health and safety standards remain in place.
“Ontario has some of the highest in the country, and what we want to make sure of as New Democrats is that we are looking to raise the bar, protect those standards, not have a race to the bottom,” says Stiles.
Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie supports the bill in principle and is hopeful it will mean more healthcare workers coming to Ontario.
“I hope this means that doctors and nurses from other provinces will be able to practice freely here in Ontario very soon,” says Crombie.
“We can attract them here more easily, and I hope that in other provinces, they’ll be able to enjoy our great Ontario wines and craft beers.”
Green Party leader Mike Schreiner also supports removing inter-provincial trade barriers, given the trade threats coming from the United States.
“We need to be united across party lines to show strength through unity, to push back against Trump’s trade tariff threat. The president only responds to strength,” says Schreiner.
“We as Ontarians need to show strength. And I think one of the ways that we can show that strength is to reduce our own interprovincial trade barriers.”
Schreiner would like the Ford government to protect prime farmland to help the province become self-reliant with food security and food sovereignty.
