Ottawa removes all federal exceptions from Canadian Free Trade Agreement

The federal government says it has removed all interprovincial trade barriers under its jurisdiction. 

Ottawa has eliminated the remaining federal exceptions from the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland said in a press release on Monday. 

Of the 53 exceptions removed, most of them focused on procurement, according to the press release. 

"Today's announcement builds on the government's efforts to strengthen the Canadian economy," reads the statement.

"The federal government will continue to show leadership in this area, and work with provinces and territories to strengthen the CFTA, advance mutual recognition and ensure seamless labour mobility within Canada."

Throughout the spring federal election campaign, Mark Carney as Liberal leader repeatedly vowed to "eliminate" interprovincial trade barriers and create "free trade by Canada Day."

But Canada's internal trade barriers won't all be eliminated by then — not even all the federal ones.

Canada's supply management system for dairy products, which sets provincial production quotas, will remain. Quebec also has language requirements that will stay in place.

Provinces have announced steps to reduce their own interprovincial trade barriers in recent months.