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The London Chamber of Commerce supports the introduction of Bill C-5: An Act to Enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act.
This legislation signals a long-overdue step toward unlocking economic potential across the country. Businesses have been ready for years — what we’ve needed is a coordinated framework to move major projects forward with confidence.
We commend the federal government for recognizing the urgency of the moment. For too long, internal trade barriers and regulatory delays have stalled investment, growth, and job creation. Nation building infrastructure projects are essential to expanding our trade and strengthening Canada's competitiveness.
Bill C-5 also acknowledges something business leaders have long understood: the Canadian Free Trade Agreement hasn’t lived up to its promise. Removing its many exceptions is not just good policy — it’s common sense.
While full internal free trade will still require provincial cooperation and leadership, this legislation is a meaningful step forward. We encourage all members of Parliament to put progress over partisanship and move this bill forward without delay.
Canadians want to see results — and they want to see them by July 1, as promised. The business community is ready. Let’s get it done.
Clarification:
We've heard from some members who are concerned about the London Chamber of Commerce’s support for Bill C-5, introduced by the federal government (An Act to Enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act).
We want to clarify that our support is specifically for the federal Bill C-5. Some confusion may have arisen because the Ontario government has also tabled a Bill 5 (without the “C”), titled the Protecting Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act. That provincial legislation has faced criticism for its potential impact on environmental protections and treaty rights.
To be clear: the Chamber’s recent policy statement refers exclusively to the federal Bill C-5, not the provincial Bill 5
