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Ontario and Quebec businesses are teaming up to break down trade barriers between the two provinces.

The Ontario Chamber of Commerce and its Quebec counterpart are announcing a new partnership Wednesday to help the provinces identify those barriers and regulatory hurdles that companies are facing.

Ontario chamber president Len Crispino says the work done by the two groups together will support efforts made by the provinces to reduce trade barriers.

He says the provinces are expected to meet in the spring and he wants to have the research ready for those discussions.

The Bank of Canada has urged provinces to eliminate trade barriers because it would bolster Canada’s economy against international shocks.

Last December, the Ontario government appointed former federal minister Jim Peterson as the province’s chief negotiator in the Quebec-Ontario trade, investment and labour mobility talks fast cash payday loan.

Ontario and Quebec represent about 70 per cent of Canada’s trade with the United States, which makes lowering trade barriers all the more important, Crispino said.

"We think this is a win for everybody, so that we’re all in sync – governments, business," he said.

Trade barriers prevent the free flow of goods and professions from other provinces, and include restrictions that prevent workers from moving from one province to the other, particularly in the construction industry, Crispino said.

"It’s a natural for the two provinces to work together, in this case, at the business level," he said.

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