Mr. Speaker, we should all recognize the importance of removing the internal trade barriers which are obstacles to economic competitiveness and growth in Canada.
Internal trade barriers raise the cost of doing business. There are over 500 internal trade barriers in Canada with a cost to Canadians of approximately $6.5 billion annually in lost income.
Negotiations under way between federal, provincial and territorial governments will lead to an agreement by June 30, 1994. The federal government is committed to working toward the agreement that will start the process of building open, efficient and stable domestic markets.
The agreements sought will put in place a framework that will lead to dismantling the barriers that have been erected by governments since Confederation 127 years ago. It is time to put an end to the trade restrictions that we would neither tolerate nor impose on international trade. We have for too long divided our country into many small restricted segments.
I urge members to support our Minister of Industry and his counterparts from the provinces and territories in their challenging and very important task.