Urban Chambers Letter to Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Small Business on Advancing Interprovincial Trade and Labour Mobility in New Brunswick

June 9, 2025

Traci Simmons
Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Small Business
Chief Executive Officer, Opportunities NB (ONB)

Dear Deputy Minister Simmons,

Re: Advancing Interprovincial Trade and Labour Mobility in New Brunswick on June 5th, the Urban Chambers of Commerce of New Brunswick (Fredericton Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton, Saint John Region Chamber of
Commerce) convened a Roundtable on Interprovincial Trade Harmonization. This event brought together stakeholders from across sectors and regions—including Fredericton, Greater Moncton, and Saint John—with the shared goal of advancing interprovincial trade
and labour mobility in our province.

This initiative aligns with the federal government’s renewed commitment to dismantling internal trade barriers and building a unified Canadian economy. It also reflects the proactive statements of Premier Susan Holt, who has positioned New Brunswick as a
national leader and recent MOUs with Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.

We write to you today to share key insights from the roundtable and to offer our support in strengthening the planning and implementation of this ambitious national vision. New Brunswick has a unique opportunity to lead in this time of change—not only in setting shared goals but in shaping the systems and strategies that will bring them to life.

Key Recommendations and Insights:

• Invest in Systems and Implementation: Achieving harmonization requires more than policy—it demands infrastructure. We recommend the creation of a dedicated government task force to focus on implementation, supported by digital systems, automation, and national compliance standards.

• Address Inconsistencies and Fragmentation: Inconsistent implementation across provinces remains a major barrier. A coordinated plan, supported by clear systems and incentives, is needed to overcome both hard and soft resistance to change.

• Engage Directly with Industry: Meaningful change must be informed by those most affected. Direct dialogue with sectors, professional regulators, and local businesses is essential to ensure that regulatory changes are both effective and efficient.

• Ask the Right Questions: We must critically examine how and why we regulate. Understanding the intent behind existing structures—many of which were developed to meet specific regional needs—will be crucial in designing a flexible national framework.

• Promote Harmonization Through Best Practices: Many successful examples of interprovincial cooperation already exist. Identifying and replicating these models, particularly in professional sectors, can accelerate progress. Communication and education will be key to helping small and medium-sized businesses see regulation as an opportunity rather than a burden.

• Explore Sector-Specific Solutions: As examples – a national or regional clearinghouse for alcohol distribution—particularly for craft beer—could streamline trade. In labour and credentialing, mutual recognition and a standardized registry are essential, especially in sectors like construction.

• Balance National Goals with Regional Realities: While we aim to elevate systems to a national level, we must also respect and incorporate regional differences. Geography, population, and local strengths must be acknowledged within any new framework.
The Urban Chambers of Commerce, along with other industry partners, stand ready to support this work through research, data analysis, and ongoing stakeholder engagement.  We believe that with thoughtful planning and collaborative execution, New Brunswick can
play a pivotal role in building a stronger, more unified Canadian economy.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss these recommendations further and explore how we can work together to advance this important agenda.

Sincerely,

Morgan Peters, CEO, Fredericton Chamber of Commerce
Kim Wilson, CEO, The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Moncton
Shannon Merrifield, CEO, Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce