The focus was on internal trade Thursday and Premier Scott Moe spoke in Saskatoon encouraging all Canadian provinces and territories to join the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA). In a letter sent to premiers in the remaining provinces and territories he says it would promote the goal of building a strong Canadian economy.

Beginning in 2010, the agreement has included Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia with Manitoba signing on in 2017.  The Premier says it allows the western provinces to have enhanced free flowing trade through the agreement, fostering strong economic growth and created opportunities for communities and residents.

Premier Moe says one thing to note about what is happening geopolitically, and most particularly with Canada’s biggest trading partner, the United States, is how the agreement was created well before the international issues began.

“The New West Partnership Trade Agreement wasn’t created at a time of crisis.  It was created to provide-and identified that it could provide-the opportunity for Western Canadian provinces to trade, and to have lower labor mobility at a higher rate, than what we’ve had in the past. It was created because we most certainly as provinces and communities and Canadians are stronger when we work together as opposed to when we don’t.”

Moe says he expects a positive response from the premiers.  The NWPTA represents Canada’s largest barrier-free interprovincial market, with an economic region of over 11 million Canadians and a combined GDP of over $818 billion. The backdrop for announcing the invitation to Canada’s premiers was Crestline, a company based in Saskatoon.  Premier Moe says as the company celebrates its 50th anniversary Crestline is an internal trade success story.