BILL NO. 36
(as introduced)
1st Session, 65th General Assembly
Nova Scotia
3 Charles III, 2025
Government Bill
Free Trade and Mobility within Canada Act
The Honourable Tim Houston
Premier
First Reading: February 25, 2025
Second Reading: March 5, 2025
Third Reading: March 24, 2025 (WITH COMMITTEE AMENDMENTS) (LINK TO BILL AS PASSED)
An Act Respecting
Free Trade and Mobility within Canada
Be it enacted by the Governor and Assembly as follows:
1 This Act may be cited as the Free Trade and Mobility within Canada Act.
2 The purpose of this Act is to remove all barriers to trade in goods, services and investment between the provinces and territories of Canada.
3 In the event of a conflict between this Act and any other enactment, this Act prevails.
4 (1) In this Section, "reciprocating province or territory" means another province or territory of Canada that, as determined by the Governor in Council, has in force legislation similar to and corresponding with this Act or that has taken other satisfactory steps.
(2) The Province will not apply any party-specific exceptions as outlined in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement with respect to a reciprocating province or territory.
(3) All goods manufactured or produced in a reciprocating province or territory that have met the requisite standards and approvals of that jurisdiction shall be treated as if those goods were manufactured or produced in the Province and shall not be subject to any additional fees or testing by the Province due to the goods having been manufactured or produced in another province or territory.
(4) All service providers and licensees that have met the requisite standards and approvals for licensing or certification in a reciprocating province or territory shall be treated, with regard to the equivalent licence or certification in the Province, as if the service provider or licensee was licensed or certified in the Province and shall not be subject to any additional licensing or certification requirements.
(5) All licensing authorities and bodies of the Province shall, to allow a smooth transition, co-operate with the licensing authorities and bodies of a reciprocating province or territory by waiving any requirement for registration or licensing, or renewal of registration or licensing, for any service provider or licensee seeking to do business in the Province who is registered or licensed in the reciprocating province or territory and who is in good standing in that jurisdiction.
5 (1) The Governor in Council may make regulations
(a) defining any term used but not defined in this Act;
(b) respecting any matter or thing the Governor in Council considers necessary or advisable to carry out the intent or purpose of this Act.
(2) The exercise by the Governor in Council of the authority contained in subsection (1) is a regulation within the meaning of the Regulations Act.
6 (1) Subject to subsection (2), no cause of action and no legal proceeding lies or may be brought or continued against the Province or another person to enforce or determine a right or obligation that is claimed or arises solely under or by virtue of this Act.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a proceeding that is provided for under Chapter 10 of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement.
This page and its contents published by the Office of the Legislative Counsel, Nova Scotia House of Assembly, and © 2025 Crown in right of Nova Scotia. Created February 25, 2025. Send comments to legc.office@novascotia.ca.
