Investing in local communities

strengthens Canada’s economy

We must take every measure to ensure that a stronger Canada emerges from this crisis. These turbulent times will require a National Prosperity Partnership across all orders of government to move our nation forward.

We have work to do:

• Ensure a modernized fiscal framework. Communities are where prosperity happens. We need to invest in local strength to ensure our national prosperity. This means having long overdue conversations about modernizing the municipal fiscal framework to ensure our communities have the resources we need to build a stronger Canada. 
• Remove interprovincial trade barriers. Building economic resilience will require increasing the movement of Canadian goods from east to west instead of north to south. Removing barriers to internal trade will lower prices for consumers by up to 15% and expand our economy by up to $200 billion or 4-8% over the long term. Increasing labour mobility, harmonizing building codes and reducing exemptions under the Canada Free Trade Agreement will also strengthen our national economy. 
• Build business and trade enabling infrastructure. In the early 2000s, Canada was ranked as having the 10th best trade infrastructure in the world. Today we rank 32nd. Roads and highways, airports, rail and deep-sea ports are vital to getting Canadian goods to new markets. Not only do these measures create good jobs while stimulating local communities, but they also expand the overall resilience of the broader Canadian economy. 
• Streamline infrastructure approvals. A diversified export market requires a more responsive assessment and approval process at all levels. This will help Canada move forward.
• Establish National Utility Corridors. Advancing national utility corridors for critical energy infrastructure will strengthen our economy.