Interprovincial trade barriers in Canada are a burden to consumers and an obstacle to producers.
But the case of Gerard Comeau of new Brunswick gives us hope. Comeau, who was charged for bringing alcohol over the Quebec-New Brunswick border, was recently acquitted. The judge ruled that New Brunswick’s law restricting the transport of alcohol violated the constitution.
This is a win for consumers in New Brunswick, and could have positive ramifications elsewhere. Markets, and not legislatures, should determine prices for all goods and services. The Fathers of Confederation pushed for free internal trade. Erasing interprovincial barriers would be a nice 150th birthday present to our country.