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Premier Scott Moe signed trade deals with both Manitoba and Prince Edward Island (PEI) on Monday.
Moe signed memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew and Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz, the government announced in two separate news releases on July 21.
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The deals come as tariffs and trade are top of the agenda as the country’s premiers meet in Ontario.
The premiers’ summer gathering in Muskoka will also feature a Tuesday meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, as trade talks with the United States are expected to intensify.
The Monday release said the deal with Manitoba will enhance interprovincial trade, valued at over $6 billion in 2021, between the two provinces and includes alcohol sales.
“Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been strong trading partners through the New West Partnership Trade Agreement … and we are building on our economic relationship through further trade collaboration, for example on direct-to-consumer (DTC) alcohol sales,” Moe said in one of the statements.
The Manitoba agreement includes “commitments to move forward on a framework for direct to consumer alcohol sales,” as well as looking to improve labour mobility and trade.
“This agreement reflects Manitoba’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger, more unified Canadian economy, one where goods, services and workers can move more freely between provinces, while maintaining the highest standards for health and safety” said Kinew in the statement.
The MOU with PEI also includes alcohol sales, the second statement said, adding that the value of trade between the two provinces was $44.25 million in 2021.
“Saskatchewan is standing strong amidst the trade challenges we are currently facing,” Moe said in the PEI statement adding that the agreement “is just one more way we are strengthening economic ties across the country.”
“Saskatchewan and PEI understand that when provinces work together, the entire country benefits,” Lantz said. “This agreement is about building trust, creating opportunity and making it easier for people and businesses to thrive no matter where they are located.”
In June, Moe signed a similar memorandums of understanding with Ontario and Alberta ahead of the first ministers meeting in Saskatoon, and last week called on all provinces and territories across Canada to join the New West Partnership Trade Agreement.
Ontario, British Columbia, Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories all announced agreements to boost internal trade, improve labour mobility and remove barriers to doing business together at the premiers meeting on Monday.
— with files from Canadian Press
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