Issue:
Improved interprovincial trade could result in significant growth opportunities for Alberta business. These improvements can be achieved by removing barriers such as those which add costs and delays to transport trucking. The Government of Alberta should work to harmonize its regulations, standards, and infrastructure with other provinces to remove these barriers. The Government of Canada should work to support and coordinate this harmonization process across all federal partners.
Background:
Reducing interprovincial trade barriers presents a significant opportunity for economic growth in Alberta and Canada as a whole. Eliminating these barriers could lead to a 3.2% annual increase in Alberta's GDP67. Furthermore, interprovincial trade barriers add between 8% and 14.5% to the price of goods and services in Canada, increasing business costs and limiting growth potential
Our Recommendations
1. Lead collaborative efforts with other provinces and territories in consultation with industry to harmonize regulations, standards, and infrastructure while urging the federal government to support and coordinate national alignment initiatives.
2. Promote the creation of harmonized trucking standards and regulations between provinces and territories by facilitating regulatory discussions between all provincial/territorial governments in Canada;
3. Develop a national electronic permitting system for oversize/overweight equipment in partnership with provincial governments to create a single application for all provincial permits; and,
4. Establish a national standard for minimum heights for new bridge construction.
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