Overview
- All provinces and territories, along with the federal government, signed the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement, with trade ministers finalizing it in Yellowknife on Nov. 17.
- The pact takes effect in December 2025 and applies to thousands of goods, including manufacturing inputs, health technologies, clothing, toys, industrial products, tires and vehicles.
- The agreement establishes that goods legally sold in one jurisdiction can be sold in others without additional testing, certifications or approvals, with any exceptions to be clearly identified.
- Food, beverages, tobacco, plants and animals are excluded from the initial scope, and services are not covered under this phase.
- Business groups welcomed the deal as a major red-tape reduction and urged a next phase to extend mutual recognition to services, food products and alcohol, while B.C. leaders cast it as bolstering Canada’s economic security.