Protecting Albertans’ right to trade

Overview

If passed, Bill 21, the Interprovincial Trade Mutual Recognition Act will cut unnecessary red tape and lower costs for businesses while improving access to the everyday goods and services Albertans need.

The proposed legislation would create the legal framework needed to implement the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement on the Sale of Goods, allowing goods legally sold in one Canadian jurisdiction to be sold in Alberta without undergoing additional provincial approvals. The act would establish transparent, efficient processes for recognizing equivalent regulatory measures across provinces while protecting Alberta’s health, safety, environmental and consumer standards.

The Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement on the Sale of Goods was signed by Alberta, the federal government and most other provinces and territories in November 2025. The mutual recognition agreement is to be implemented by June 30, 2026. The legislation will also enable future mutual recognition, which is expected to lower compliance costs for businesses, fewer barriers to reaching customers across Canada and more product choice for Albertans.

Alberta has been a leader in breaking down unnecessary trade barriers and demonstrating commitment to free trade within Canada for decades.

Key Changes

If passed, Bill 21, the Interprovincial Trade Mutual Recognition Act will:

• enable Alberta to fully implement the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement on the sale of goods by June 30, 2026, ensuring goods approved in another jurisdiction can be sold in Alberta without duplicative assessments
• ensure Alberta retains the ability to protect public health, safety, the environment and consumer interests by maintaining exceptions where provincial standards must remain in place
• establish an efficient ministerial order process allowing responsible ministers to add, remove, or amend Alberta’s exceptions listed in the Canadian Mutual Recognition Agreement annex, ensuring transparency and appropriate oversight
• create a clear mechanism for implementing future mutual recognition agreements— related to services or the use of goods—through regulation, enabling long-term flexibility
• align Alberta’s internal trade framework with other provinces, reducing administrative burden and improving regulatory consistency
• support Alberta businesses by lowering compliance costs, reducing red tape and improving access to interprovincial markets 

Next steps

If passed, Bill 21, the Interprovincial Trade Mutual Recognition Act will take effect upon proclamation.

News

• Reducing barriers to interprovincial trade (March 26, 2026)

Related

• Leading the way on interprovincial trade
• Alberta trade agreements