Northwest Territories Premier R. J. Simpson issued the following statement today on the success of the Committee on Internal Trade:

“Yesterday, ministers from across Canada gathered in Yellowknife for the ninth Committee on Internal Trade meeting of 2025. This has been a year when strengthening our domestic market has never been more important. In a time of global uncertainty and real pressure on supply chains, governments have been working together with a renewed sense of urgency to reduce barriers, lower costs, and create new opportunities for workers and businesses.

“It has also been the busiest and most productive year in the Committee’s history. Jurisdictions met more often, acted more quickly, and advanced internal trade reform further than ever before. This work has strengthened Canada’s internal market at a time when economic resilience truly mattered.

“Yesterday’s meeting marked a major achievement. Ministers signed the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement on the sale of goods, which is a significant step toward cutting duplicated regulation and making it easier for products to move across provincial and territorial borders.

“This gathering caps off a standout year for the Committee. Much of that progress is due to the leadership of Minister Caitlin Cleveland, who chaired the CIT throughout 2025. Under her leadership, jurisdictions made real and measurable progress. This includes reducing party-specific exceptions, reaching agreement on a financial services chapter under the CFTA, endorsing an MOU to standardize various regulations in the trucking sector, advancing a national standard for labour mobility, and an MOU signed by willing jurisdictions committing to advance Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) alcohol sales. Her collaborative and steady approach helped build consensus and maintain momentum during a year when internal trade mattered more than ever. I want to thank her for representing the Northwest Territories with clarity, determination, and exceptional skill.

“I also want to recognize the staff at the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment. Their preparation, professionalism, and behind-the-scenes work helped ensure the Northwest Territories played a leading role in strengthening Canada’s internal market.

“I would also like to thank the Provincial and Territorial Governments across the country for their ambition throughout Minister Cleveland’s term as Chair. This year’s Committee on Internal Trade meetings have been collaborative, efficient, and grounded in good faith. I appreciate the collective effort each jurisdiction has made to be bold in reducing internal trade barriers across Canada and support Canadian businesses and workers.

“As Minister Cleveland’s term as Chair concludes, I wish Nunavut every success as it assumes the chairship in the new year. The momentum built here in the North will continue, and I look forward to seeing Premier-elect Main and our colleagues in Nunavut carry this important work forward.”

Media contact:
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
PressSecretary@gov.nt.ca