Saskatchewan announces trade-related memorandums of understanding with Manitoba, PEI

WATCH: Saskatchewan has inked two new MOUs, this time with Manitoba and Prince Edward Island.

Saskatchewan has now added two more provinces to its list of improved interprovincial trade partners, as leaders from across Canada continue to move toward more integration in the face of U.S. tariffs.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with his opposite numbers in Prince Edward Island and Manitoba on Monday.

The agreements include a framework for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales between the provinces, in addition to measures aimed at boosting interprovincial labour mobility and investment while strengthening public safety and maintaining Crown corporations.

A similar MOU was signed between Saskatchewan and Ontario prior to the first ministers meeting in Saskatoon in early June.

• Premiers Moe, Ford sign memorandum of understanding on interprovincial trade

The total value of interprovincial trade between Saskatchewan and PEI was $44.25 million in 2021 – while trade with Manitoba totalled $6 billion.

The announcements come as provincial premiers gathered for three days of meetings in Muskoka, Ont. and just days after Moe called on all provincial leaders to join the New West Partnership.

“You see numerous memorandum of understandings being signed, various pieces of legislation building on, not only the Canadian Free Trade Agreement that we have and some of the exemptions that are being removed, but maybe a discussion today about moving forward with a little bit more expansive agreement,” Moe said told reporters, referring to his New West Partnership pitch.

“These are all steps. They’re steps in the right direction. We need to have free and open trade between our provinces.”