Annual Report – April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022

Overview of the Agreement

In December 2014, federal, provincial and territorial governments in Canada began negotiations to strengthen and modernize the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT). The AIT was an intergovernmental accord on domestic trade, signed by the federal, provincial and territorial governments in 1994, which came into effect in 1995. All Parties to the AIT recognized that a single market, free of barriers to trade, strengthens Canada’s position in the competitive global economy.

The December 2014 negotiations continued and were guided by direction from Premiers and the federal government to secure an ambitious, balanced and equitable agreement that would level the playing field for trade and investment in Canada.

The new Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA) resulted from these negotiations, entering into force on July 1, 2017. The CFTA’s objective is to reduce and eliminate, to the extent possible, barriers to the free movement of persons, goods, services and investments within Canada and to establish an open, efficient and stable domestic market. It commits all Parties to a comprehensive set of rules that will help achieve a modern and competitive economic union for all Canadians.

This report provides an overview of the activities undertaken during the reporting period of April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022.