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By Canadian Press

Alberta contracts think tank to examine mutual regulatory recognition for provinces

Jul 12, 2022 | 2:26 PM

VICTORIA – The Alberta government is funding a study to look at how provinces and territories could smooth out internal trade and labour mobility barriers in the country.

Premier Jason Kenney says thousands of regulations are slowing business and adding costs to consumers, and efforts to harmonize those have moved slowly.

Australia and New Zealand have mutual recognition of regulations with some exceptions, and Kenney says if two countries can do that, the provinces should be able to as well.

A statement from Alberta says the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a non-partisan think tank, has been contracted to conduct the study, which is due in September.

It says the Alberta government eliminated 85 per cent of its exemptions to Canada’s Free Trade Agreement in 2019 and passed the Labour Mobility Act to speed certification of credentials for Canadians moving to work in the province.

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The statement from Kenney says mutual recognition of regulations would cut costs and spur economic growth.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2022.

The Canadian Press