Trade agreements reduce barriers to trade, investment and labour mobility across all economic sectors in order to increase competitiveness, economic growth and stability among their signatories.
Standards and Regulations
Inconsistent regulations across international and provincial borders can create challenges for businesses operating in multiple jurisdictions. Trade agreements commit governments to reconcile, harmonize or co-operate on regulations to ease the burden on businesses.
- Learn more about the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) Regulatory Reconciliation and Cooperation Table.
- Help cut red tape by reporting barriers to the Government of Saskatchewan.
- Saskatchewan reports international barriers to the Government of Canada to be raised through the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade Agreement.
Labour Mobility
The CFTA and NWPTA allow workers in regulated professions to be recognized for their credentials across the country.
- Learn more about labour mobility within Canada.
Government Procurement
Saskatchewan government entities have committed through trade agreements to provide fair and equal access to government procurement. These agreements also commit trading partners to open up opportunities to Saskatchewan suppliers.
- Search for opportunities and learn about Saskatchewan’s procurement policies at SaskTenders.
- Saskatchewan companies can bid on procurement opportunities across Canada through the CFTA and NWPTA.
Business Registration
The NWPTA makes it easier for Saskatchewan businesses to register in multiple provinces.
Trade in Alcoholic Beverages
The Government of Canada has authority over the import and export of alcohol across international borders, while provinces and territories each determine how alcohol is imported and sold within their jurisdiction.
- Learn more about the regulations governing the alcohol retail and distribution systems across Canada.
Dispute Resolution
Trade agreements contain dispute resolution mechanisms to provide a formal means to address allegations that a signatory is not meeting its trade obligations.
- Learn more about CFTA dispute resolution.
- Learn more about NWPTA dispute resolution.
- Saskatchewan is a party to a Bid Protest Mechanism for supplier complaints about specific procurements under the internal and international trade agreements.
- The Canadian International Trade Tribunal is responsible for the investigation of international trade remedies, complaints about federal government procurement and appeals on customs and excise matters.