Premiers Moe, Ford sign memorandum of understanding on interprovincial trade

WATCH: Premier Scott Moe announces an MOU between Saskatchewan and Ontario, aimed at improving trade.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at improving interprovincial trade between the two provinces.

The document covers several topics including mutual recognition of goods, reciprocity, labour mobility and a direct to consumer alcohol trade system between Saskatchewan and Ontario.

The two provincial leaders signed the document at an event in Saskatoon on Sunday.

“A good that is acceptable for sale in Saskatchewan should be just as acceptable for sale in Ontario, and a service that is offered in our province should also be offered equally in their province, and vice versa,” Moe explained.

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Premier Ford noted that the MOU is just one step in the process of strengthening Canada’s economy in the face of U.S. tariffs.

“Together, we’re going to make sure we stand united,” he said. “As it stands, over-regulation of trade within our borders costs [the] national economy over $200 billion each and every single year.”

Ford added that he hopes to sign similar agreements with other provincial leaders in the coming days.

The MOU announcement comes ahead of Monday’s first ministers’ meeting in Saskatoon.

A gathering usually held in the nation’s capital; Prime Minister Mark Carney announced the conference of Canada’s premiers would be held in “The City of Bridges” back in May.

The decision came shortly after Premier Moe invited Carney to Saskatchewan with hopes of “hitting the reset button” on relations between the two governments.

Infrastructure projects and the effects of the ongoing U.S. trade war are top of mind and on the agenda for the meeting of national and sub-national leaders.

Monday’s meeting marks the first time the prime minister and provincial leaders have met in Saskatchewan since 1985.

The meeting also marks Prime Minister Carney’s first trip to Saskatchewan since winning the April 28 federal election.