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Position on Internal Trade Opportunities
1. Removing Barriers to Interprovincial Trade and Labour Mobility
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce is committed to advocating for policies that will enhance the free flow of goods, services, and talent across all of Canada. In particular, we call for the federal and provincial governments to remove all internal trade barriers that hinder the full potential of Canada’s internal market.
Recommendation: We urge all provinces to commit to tabling legislation to enable mutual recognition agreements (MRAs), similar to Nova Scotia’s Free Trade and Mobility Canada Act and New Brunswick’s commitments. These agreements will help facilitate seamless mobility of labour and goods, providing Canadian businesses with greater access to workers, markets, and customers across provincial boundaries.
Impact: By enabling MRAs, businesses in Atlantic Canada will benefit from more efficient operations, reduced administrative burdens, and increased access to skilled labour. This will foster a more competitive business environment, boost innovation, and improve economic resilience across the region.
2. Bolstering Domestic Procurement and Supply Chains
To strengthen the Canadian economy, we must support and prioritize domestic businesses and industries. This includes aligning provincial public procurement policies to ensure that Canadian companies are given fair opportunities to compete for government contracts and that procurement decisions are made with the local economic impact in mind.
Recommendation: The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce calls for the alignment of provincial public procurement policies to increase the weighting of local economic impact in procurement decisions. Governments should use trade agreement flexibilities to support domestic suppliers, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, agrifood, and steel. In addition, we recommend investment in strengthening domestic supply chains to ensure that Canadian businesses can compete effectively.
Impact: A more robust domestic procurement strategy will create opportunities for local businesses to expand, create jobs, and develop new markets. By investing in domestic supply chains and industrial capacity, Canada will be better positioned to respond to challenges and enhance regional economic resilience.
3. Making an Immediate Commitment to a National Energy Corridor
A unified and efficient energy infrastructure is critical for supporting economic growth, sustainability, and energy security. The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce strongly supports the creation of a National Energy Corridor to facilitate the seamless movement of oil, natural gas, electricity, hydrogen, and other vital resources across the country.
Recommendation: We advocate for an immediate commitment to signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a National Energy Corridor that connects Eastern, Central, and Western Canada, as well as our northern ports. This corridor would enhance Canada’s energy security, improve the efficient movement of resources, and position Canada as a leader in sustainable energy.
Impact: A National Energy Corridor will reduce transportation costs, improve the reliability of energy supplies, and enhance Canada’s ability to meet both domestic energy needs and global export demands. This will not only stimulate economic growth but also create new opportunities for businesses in Atlantic Canada, particularly in the energy, manufacturing, and technology sectors.
Conclusion
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce believes that by removing trade barriers and strengthening domestic procurement and supply chains, Canada will unlock significant economic opportunities for businesses and communities across the country, particularly in the Atlantic region. We urge all levels of government to take immediate, unified, and bold action to implement these critical policies and ensure that Canada’s economy remains dynamic, competitive, and resilient for future generations.
Actions
- Chambers of the Federation
- Agenda for Economic Growth
- Letter to Premiers January
- Letter to Premiers June
- Programs and Services
- Opinion Editorials
- Cut Through the Noise
- Partnership Worth Saving
- Window of Opportunity CJLS Yarmouth 95.5
- Window of Opportunity Hot Country 103.5
- Media
- January
- February
- March
- April
- May
- June
- July
- Other
- Chambers of the Federation
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Position on Immigration
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce expresses serious concerns about recent reductions in immigration allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), which disproportionately impact Atlantic Canada. These cuts undermine the region’s ability to address its unique demographic and economic challenges, including labor shortages and population decline.
Atlantic Canada has long relied on tailored immigration policies, such as the AIP, to attract skilled workers and support regional employers. However, despite success in attracting immigrants, retention rates remain low, especially in rural areas, jeopardizing the sustainability of key industries such as healthcare, construction, and agriculture.
We urge the federal government to reconsider these cuts and engage in structured dialogue with provincial governments, chambers of commerce, and key stakeholders to develop sustainable, region-specific immigration policies. A collaborative, tailored approach is essential to ensuring the long-term economic prosperity and workforce sustainability of Atlantic Canada.
We request:
- A reconsideration of the recent allocation reductions.
- A strategic approach to improving retention and supporting population growth.
- A policy carve-out for Atlantic Canada to reflect its unique needs.
- A one-size-fits-all approach does not work for our region. We look forward to continued collaboration to ensure Atlantic Canada remains a vital contributor to Canada’s growth.
Actions
- Letters and Submisisons
- Programs and Services
- Opinion Editorials
- Media
- May
- July
- September
- November
- Meeting of all chambers and boards of trade with Minister of Immigration, the Hon. Lena Metlege Diab
- December
- Attended CCC's Hill Day. Meetings focus on Talent and Immigration
- Meet with Minister of Immigration at Hill Day 2025
- Other meetings during Hill Day included:
- Deputy Minister of Immigration
- Commissioner for Employers Nancy Healey
- MP Leslie Church, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretaries of State for Labour, for Seniors, and for Children and Youth and to the Minister for Jobs and Familes.
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Position on Reducing Regulatory Burden for Business
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce recognizes the significant economic challenges imposed by excessive regulatory burdens on businesses, which stifle innovation, increase costs, and hinder competitiveness. We believe that streamlining regulations, reducing administrative hurdles, and fostering a more efficient regulatory environment are essential to unlocking growth opportunities for businesses and communities across Atlantic Canada.
1. Streamlining Regulatory Approval Processes
Excessive red tape in regulatory approvals delays projects, raises compliance costs, and discourages investment in Atlantic Canada, where fragmented provincial regulations exacerbate challenges for resource-dependent businesses in a small market. Efforts like Nova Scotia's reductions since 2021 have saved local businesses more than $20 million annually, demonstrating the potential for region-wide relief.
Recommendation: We urge federal and provincial governments to implement a regulatory review process, including time-bound approvals and regular red tape audits, and work to eliminate outdated and duplicative requirements.
Impact: Streamlined processes will accelerate business operations, lower costs for Atlantic Canadian businesses, and attract more investment, fostering job creation and economic resilience in sectors like manufacturing and energy.
2. Harmonizing Regulations Across Jurisdictions
Fragmented regulations between federal, provincial, and territorial levels create compliance challenges, duplicating efforts and increasing burdens, as highlighted in ongoing efforts to reduce overlap in areas like labour and environmental standards.
Recommendation: The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce calls for the alignment of regulatory frameworks through mutual recognition agreements and national standards, prioritizing sectors with high interprovincial activity to minimize duplication and support seamless business operations.
Impact: Harmonization will reduce administrative burdens, enhance market access for Atlantic businesses, and improve overall competitiveness, enabling smaller enterprises to expand nationally and contribute to larger economic growth.
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce believes that by streamlining approvals, harmonizing regulations, and promoting digital adoption, Canada will alleviate regulatory burdens and unlock substantial economic opportunities for businesses and communities, particularly in the Atlantic region. We urge all levels of government to take immediate, unified, and bold action to implement these critical policies and ensure that Atlantic Canada's economy remains dynamic, competitive, and resilient for future generations.
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Position on Restoring Fiscal Anchors to Manage Government Debt
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce recognizes the potential long-term risk posed by Canada's escalating public debt and persistent deficits, which undermine economic stability, crowd out essential investments, and limit our region's ability to thrive. With federal net debt surpassing $1.4 trillion (42% of GDP) and combined public debt nearing $2.3 trillion (75% of GDP), we believe that re-establishing robust fiscal anchors is essential to ensure long-term prosperity, fiscal resilience, and preparedness for shocks. This statement outlines our position on restoring fiscal discipline and provides recommendations to guide federal policy.
Addressing Escalating Deficits and Debt Servicing Costs
Canada's fiscal trajectory is unsustainable, with the Parliamentary Budget Officer forecasting annual deficits exceeding $60 billion through 2030, driven by new spending, trade disruptions, and rising interest costs. Federal debt charges have reached a record $53.8 billion in 2024-25 which surpasses key transfers like the Canada Health Transfer ($57.4 billion) and National Defense ($49.3 billion) and are projected to consume up to 16 cents of every tax dollar by 2030.
With global uncertainties like trade tensions and climate risks amplifying fiscal pressures, Canada must rebuild buffers to avoid the recessions and slowdowns that have historically hit high-debt nations hardest. Atlantic provinces, already facing disproportionate debt servicing costs, require federal leadership to safeguard transfers and equalization payments critical for regional recovery.
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce calls on the Government of Canada to immediately commit to a plan that stabilizes and reduces the federal net debt-to-GDP ratio below 30% by 2035, operationalized through a declining debt-to-GDP fiscal anchor. This target provides ample fiscal space for investments, tax relief, and shock preparedness, building on Canada's successful 1990s reforms that created G7-leading resilience.
Achieving this anchor will free up billions in interest savings for priority areas like regional infrastructure and workforce development in Atlantic Canada, fostering economic growth, reducing the cost of living, and positioning our region as a stable hub for business and innovation.
A fortified fiscal position will enable swift responses to downturns such as the rapid recovery Canada achieved during the 2008 financial crisis while unlocking opportunities for Atlantic businesses in energy transitions, supply chain resilience, and diversified exports, ultimately lowering borrowing costs and boosting per capita GDP growth.
The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce firmly believes that restoring fiscal anchors and targeting a debt-to-GDP ratio below 30% will secure Canada's economic leadership, protect Atlantic communities from fiscal vulnerabilities, and create a foundation for sustainable prosperity. We urge the Government of Canada to act decisively on these recommendations.
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Truth and Reconciliation
Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect. Learn more click here.
