Alberta moves to implement interprovincial pact to ease trade rules on consumer goods

Alberta’s government has tabled legislation that would drop some unnecessary regulations to ease the sale of goods from other provinces.

It’s part of a commitment Alberta made with its provincial and federal counterparts last year in signing an interprovincial free trade pact.

The trade accord, which is supposed to take affect this summer, would see provinces recognize each other’s regulations for most consumer products to avoid duplicative inspections and requirements.

The agreement doesn’t apply to the sale of alcohol, cannabis, food, live animals, tobacco or plants, and it lets provinces maintain certain restrictions on items for health and safety reasons.

Alberta is keeping its own rules in place for a number of products, including pesticides, plumbing equipment and gift cards, which the province requires to have no expiry date.

Jobs and Economy Minister Joseph Schow says despite the limitations he expects the new rules will make life more affordable and support business growth.