The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has expressed support for the Committee on Internal Trade’s recent announcement of the expansion of the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement (CMRA) to cover services by the end of this year.
“It’s encouraging to continue to see governments across Canada working together to build on the CMRA and continue breaking down costly internal trade barriers that have held back small businesses and the broader economy for far too long,” said Keyli Loeppky, CFIB’s director for Alberta and interprovincial affairs, in a statement.
Loeppky explained that enabling the trade of goods and services approved for sale in one province or territory across all other Canadian jurisdictions will help spur the growth of small businesses and promote lower costs and greater choice for consumers.
Loeppky urged Canada’s governments to keep taking positive steps in this area.
“The next phase should prioritize expanding mutual recognition to food and alcohol products, which continue to face significant barriers across provincial borders,” Loeppky said in the statement. “Removing these remaining obstacles will further strengthen Canada’s economy and unlock new opportunities for small businesses and consumers alike.”
Mutual recognition
Loeppky shared that the Committee on Internal Trade’s recent announcement has affirmed mutual recognition as a practical and effective way to achieve true free trade within the country, an approach that CFIB has backed for years.
Back in November 2025, CFIB welcomed the news that all the nation’s jurisdictions had signed a mutual recognition agreement for goods.
“This is a landmark achievement that will finally start breaking down costly internal trade barriers that have held back small business and Canada’s economy for far too long,” Loeppky said in a statement from that time.
In the prior statement on CFIB’s behalf, Loeppky encouraged Canada’s governments to maintain that momentum. Loeppky specifically called for the mutual recognition agreement’s expansion to services, food products, and alcohol, which are subject to substantial trade barriers within the country.
Progress in Alberta
Late last month, the Alberta government announced the introduction of new legislation intending to establish the legal framework for implementing the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement on the sale of goods.
In a news release, the provincial government explained that bill 21 aims to help reduce needless regulatory burden, decrease business costs, and facilitate access to the goods and services Albertans require every day.