B.C. legislature passes Trade Recognition Act allowing goods sold in Canada to be sold in province

The British Columbia legislature has passed Bill 5, the Trade Recognition Act, with support from all parties, a move the provincial government says will reduce interprovincial trade barriers and expand market access for businesses.

The legislation allows goods and services that are legally sold in another Canadian province or territory to be sold in British Columbia without requiring duplicate provincial certification, according to the Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.

Jobs and Economic Growth Minister Ravi Kahlon said the measure builds on previous efforts to streamline internal trade rules across Canada. “Building on B.C.’s leadership in removing interprovincial trade barriers, this means goods and services legally sold anywhere in Canada can now be sold in B.C.,” Kahlon said in a statement.

The province says the change is intended to lower costs for businesses and consumers by removing overlapping regulatory requirements while maintaining B.C.’s existing health, safety and environmental protections.

According to the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, reducing internal trade barriers could generate about $7.6 billion in additional economic activity in British Columbia and approximately $1.7 billion in provincial government revenue.

The legislation is part of the provincial government’s LookWest economic strategy, which aims to expand trade and investment links with other Canadian provinces and international markets.