Thursday, 27 November 2008 14:37

New West Partnership

Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan make up the New West Partnership, an economic powerhouse of nine million people with a combined GDP of about $500 billion. This ambitious agreement creates Canada's largest interprovincial barrier-free trade and investment market. The three provinces commit to ongoing collaboration on innovative ways to strengthen the economy of the West. Through the New West Partnership, the three provinces will foster strong, vibrant and lasting prosperity for the region and our people.

The New West Partnership focuses on four areas key to economic growth: trade, international cooperation, innovation and procurement.

Benefits include:

  • An open and competitive economy
  • Labour mobility provisions that allow certified workers to practice their occupation in the three provinces without being subject to additional exams or training requirements.
  • Business registrants in one province are able to seamlessly register in the other provinces at the same time as their original incorporation; all residency requirements are removed.
  • Streamlined regulations
  • Enhanced competitiveness

Website: www.newwestpartnership.ca

Agreement on Internal Trade

The Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) is an intergovernmental trade agreement signed by Canadian First Ministers that came into force in 1995. Its purpose is to reduce and eliminate, to the extent possible, barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services, and investment within Canada and to establish an open, efficient, and stable domestic market.

Website: www.ait-aci.ca/index_en.htm

NAFTA

The North American Free Trade Agreement is an agreement between Canada, the USA and Mexico to open up commercial business opportunities and trade. Since 1993, NAFTA has generated economic growth and rising standards of living for the people of all three member countries. By strengthening the rules and procedures governing trade and investment throughout the continent, NAFTA has proved to be a solid foundation for building Canada’s future prosperity. In addition, NAFTA has established a strong foundation for future growth and has set a valuable example of the benefits of trade liberalization.

Website: NAFTA