OTTAWA, October 30, 2025 – Senator Marty Klyne will introduce a new bill today to improve internal trade in Canada. The Canadian Prosperity Act will empower the Competition Bureau to make recommendations to reduce barriers to internal trade, such as unnecessarily anticompetitive regulations.
Through changes to the Competition Act, the bill would require the federal government to respond to the Bureau’s recommendations as regards reducing federal barriers to internal trade. It would also encourage provincial governments to do so as regards reducing provincial barriers to internal trade.
“Improving internal trade is a shared priority across Canada with our economy under threat,” said Senator Klyne. “This bill will support First Ministers’ joint leadership and cooperative efforts to reduce barriers to internal trade. With this pro-consumer, pro-business bill, the Competition Bureau’s recommendations can drive lower prices, more choices for goods and services, stronger job growth, and greater productivity and prosperity for Canada.”
In 2023, the Competition Bureau recommended the new bill’s proposed changes as regards requiring or encouraging government responses, in order to improve the effectiveness of its studies of competition in Canadian markets. Two former Commissioners of Competition have endorsed Senator Klyne’s new bill. “As the global trading system becomes more protectionist, it will be critical that domestic competition remains or becomes vigorously competitive,” said Lawson Hunter, who served as Commissioner of the Competition Bureau from 1981 to 1985. “The Competition Bureau should play a larger, more visible role in ensuring that both governments and the private sector do not artificially restrict competition.”
“This bill will provide the Competition Bureau with important new tools for encouraging competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses,” said Sheridan Scott, who served as the Commissioner of Competition from 2004 to 2009. “Removing unnecessary impediments to a robust Canadian economy is essential at this critical time.”
Competition law falls within federal jurisdiction. The bill would enhance the Competition Bureau’s independent advisory role to further reduce internal barriers to trade, and address any unnecessarily anticompetitive regulations. Regulated sectors in Canada include professional services, alcohol sales, government procurement, telecommunications, and aviation.
The Canadian Prosperity Act is inspired by the work of the Senate Prosperity Action Group, led by Senator Peter Harder. Their 2021 report recommended removing barriers to trade between provinces and territories, and reducing Canada’s often duplicative and excessive regulatory burden. Senator Klyne was one of 12 senators in the Group, with over 70 distinguished leaders and experts informing their study.
“In our 2021 report, the Prosperity Action Group urged governments at all levels to work together to unlock the full potential of Canada’s internal market,” said Senator Harder. “The Canadian Prosperity Act answers that call by promoting cooperation and accountability across jurisdictions. Reducing interprovincial trade barriers will not only strengthen our economy – it will create opportunity and prosperity for Canadians in every region.”
Senator Klyne is a senator from Saskatchewan and a member of the Progressive Senate Group. For additional information on the Canadian Prosperity Act, see the attached Backgrounder.
Quotes
“Explicitly tying competition policy with internal trade reform aligns Canada with international best practices seen in Australia and the EU. With deep expertise in tackling anti-competitive conduct and promoting market openness, the Competition Bureau is well positioned to play a key role.”
– Ryan Manucha, internal trade expert, C.D. Howe Institute
“Stronger internal trade and stronger competition policy are critical tools in tackling the oligopolies that raise the cost of living and drag down the productivity of Canadians. Bringing these tools together will be key as Canada seeks to diversify our trading relationships.”
– Keldon Bester, Executive Director, Canadian Anti-Monopoly Project
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For further information, please contact:
Yana Almer, Director of Parliamentary Affairs
Office of Senator Marty Klyne
yana.almer2@sen.parl.gc.ca
343-542-1733