Memorandum of Understanding Between: The Government of Ontario and The Government of Alberta (hereinafter jointly referred to as “the Parties”)

Whereas the Canadian economy is currently subject to economic and geopolitical uncertainty, including tariffs and other protectionist and economic measures by the United States, which threaten Canadian workers and businesses;

And whereas the Parties are committed to significantly expanding the ability of workers and businesses within their respective jurisdictions to take advantage of commercial opportunities across Canada, and in doing so strengthen Canada’s economy;

And whereas the Parties agree on the need for the federal government to address the underlying conditions necessary to strengthen Canada’s economy and diversifying markets, including repealing or amending the Impact Assessment Act, Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, Clean Electricity Regulations, the proposed Oil and Gas Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap Regulations, and all other federal initiatives that undermine nationally-significant development and export projects;

And whereas the Parties trust provincial and territorial regulatory bodies to make sound decisions that put the safety of Canadians first;

And whereas the Parties are demonstrating leadership by advancing legislation to reduce barriers to internal trade, including through mutual recognition;

And whereas Ontario has demonstrated leadership on internal trade with respect to the removal of all its Party-specific Exceptions (PSEs) under the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), supporting opportunities for trade and investment;

And whereas Alberta has consistently demonstrated leadership on internal trade, including through the removal of PSEs under the CFTA, ensuring the free trade of goods and services and by significantly reducing regulatory burdens for workers, and is continuing to further open opportunities for trade and investment;

Through this Memorandum of Understanding, the Parties agree to:

  1. Build off their respective legislation and commitments to remove internal trade barriers between them, so as to boost the flow of goods, services, investment, and workers while maintaining and strengthening levels of public safety and respecting the integrity and role of regulators. Through initiatives, including Ontario’s bill entitled Protect Ontario Through Free Trade Within Canada Act and through Alberta’s forthcoming legislation, if passed, the Parties will strive to ensure that a good or equivalent service that is deemed acceptable for sale or use in Alberta can be deemed acceptable for sale or use in Ontario — and vice versa.
  2. Encourage other Canadian jurisdictions that have not already done so to join Alberta and Ontario in driving progress on internal trade through the removal of barriers to trade across Canada.
  3. Further facilitate interprovincial labour mobility by working together to identify options to align regulated occupations and registration.
  4. Explore means to make it easier to conduct business between the two provinces, including improving trade agreements and exploring the possibility of Ontario joining the New West Partnership Trade Agreement.
  5. Explore improving the flow of alcohol beverages for personal consumption through a bilateral direct-to-consumer (DTC) sale of alcohol agreement that covers all alcoholic beverage categories in Ontario and Alberta, which would enhance market opportunities for producers and increase consumer choice for Albertans and Ontarians.
  6. This Memorandum of Understanding sets out the understanding of the Parties with respect to their cooperation but is not legally binding and does not create any legal, equitable or financial rights, obligations or liabilities for either of the Parties.

Signed on the 1st day of June in the year 2025 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Premier Doug Ford, Government of Ontario

Premier Danielle Smith, Government of Alberta