Houston promises at Doug Ford campaign rally to remove trade barriers for Nova Scotia

Premier Tim Houston announced Thursday in Ontario that he plans to introduce legislation to make trade between Nova Scotia and other provinces and territories easier.

During a surprise appearance at a campaign rally for Ontario Progressive Conservative Leader Doug Ford, Houston said he'll table a bill called the Free Trade and Mobility Within Canada Act when he returns to Nova Scotia.

"This bill will set in legislation that any goods approved in any province or territory can be sold in Nova Scotia without any further testing, red tape or foolishness," Houston said. 

He added that the removal of barriers would have to be reciprocal — only other provinces that introduce similar legislation could participate.

Houston's office did not respond to a request for an interview.

A media advisory from the premier's office on Wednesday said Houston was heading to Washington, D.C., for meetings to discuss trade but did not mention he would be appearing at the campaign event in Ontario.

Opposition leaders don't approve of trip

Nova Scotia's opposition leaders agreed that it's time to address interprovincial trade barriers, but they questioned Houston's surprise stop in Ontario.

"I would like to see the premier in the legislature for the few days that we sit, or where he says he's going to be," said NDP Leader Claudia Chender, referring to the trip to Washington that Houston's office advertised.

She said announcing a piece of legislation in another province shows Houston's "disregard for Nova Scotians and for democracy."

"This is where we make law. This is the people's House," Chender told reporters at Province House on Thursday.

Interim Liberal Leader Derek Mombourquette highlighted that his party tabled legislation earlier this week to address internal trade barriers.

"It's something that we support," he said of Houston's general aim. "But again, this is the time to table it. We're in the legislature now. I don't think he needed to go to Ontario to make that move."

'Get rid of this foolishness'

Houston and Ford called Thursday for more to be done to remove interprovincial trade barriers as U.S. President Donald Trump threatens Canada with potential tariffs.

"How can it be easier to sell in another country than another province? It's absolutely ridiculous," Houston said at the rally in Milton, Ont.

He said he has a lot of confidence in Ford and his team to help remove trade barriers.

"We're getting the ball rolling to get rid of the foolishness that has held back companies from growing and creating good jobs," he said.

With voters in Ontario heading to the polls on Feb. 27, Houston officially endorsed Ford at the campaign rally.

The Nova Scotia premier said there is no one he'd want on his side more than Ford, who has been looking for solutions ever since Trump began threatening tariffs against Canada. 

"This is why this guy is loved so much," Houston said. "I'm so proud to be here today with Premier Ford. Premier Ford is an incredible person."

Ford called a snap election last month, sending Ontario to the polls 15 months ahead of schedule.

The Progressive Conservative leader said he needs a new mandate to spend potentially "tens of billions of dollars" to support workers that could be hit by U.S. tariffs.