BC welcomes Ontario joining the Securities Passport system

Friday July 17, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC News analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends On July 15, the Ontario government announced that the industrious province will join the rest of tCanada’s “passport” system for publicly traded companies, an important and long-awaited step designed to cut business costs and red tape. That ends [...] The post BC welcomes Ontario joining the Securities Passport system appeared first on Island Social Trends .

Friday July 17, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC News analysis by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends On July 15, the Ontario government announced that the industrious province will join the rest of tCanada’s “passport” system for publicly traded companies, an important and long-awaited step designed to cut business costs and red tape. That ends the largest province’s push for a national securities regulator – a matter of disagreement between provinces going back more than two decades. It means that companies across the country will now be able to follow a standard set of legislative provisions in all provinces, while removing an important barrier to investment.

Only Ontario had held back on participating with this. All other provinces and territories had previously agreed (with a memorandum of understanding signed in September 2004, coming into effect in March 2008) to mutual recognition under the passport system, which is of course to their advantage in having greater access to interprovincial trade with Ontario. Shift by Ontario: What might be seen as a major concession by Ontario (given its traditional dominance of the Canadian economy) could be part of Ontario jumping fully on board with the ‘team Canada’ approach to dealing with the economic challenges that Canada faces due to trade disruption and sovereignty threat by the United States.

This is a major decision that would not have happened suddenly or on a whim. In a climate of national major projects across the country, this shows Ontario jumping in fully with the big challenges ahead for this country. First ministers meeting next week:

This comes just ahead of Canada’s Premiers assembling for their annual summer meeting as the Council of the Federation (COF), coming up in PEI July 21 to 23. Ontario Premier Doug Ford was the COF chair last year. This year the chair is PEI Premier Rob Lantz.

BC’s comment: BC Finance Minister Brenda Bailey issued a statement with regard to Ontario’s commitment to reduce barriers to investment across Canadian jurisdictions. “As we work to attract new investment and stimulate economic growth in British Columbia, I welcome Ontario’s commitment to joining all other provinces and territories in a system that makes it easier for businesses to invest in B.C. and across Canada. “This is a major win for reducing barriers between provinces and territories, boosting investor confidence and strengthening the economy.

“With Ontario joining the Securities Passport system, businesses and investors can now access capital markets across all Canadian provinces and territories. Decisions made by one province’s regulator can apply in all other Canadian jurisdictions. “It is a confidence boost for businesses and investors who will benefit from less duplication, lower costs and administrative burdens, and faster access to capital markets in our province and across Canada.

“The Province of B.C. has been advocating for Ontario to join the system so that B.C. companies can benefit from fewer separate approvals, lower compliance costs and less red tape when operating in Ontario. “I am committed to working closely with my provincial and territorial counterparts to ensure continued improvement to the existing system. “Today’s announcement reflects the continued importance of working together across Canada to improve our competitiveness and attract investment.

I look forward to building on this momentum by removing other barriers in the financial sector, including making it easier for credit unions to serve members across Canada.” ===== RELATED: - Canada’s Premiers to discuss economy & more in PEI July 21-23 (July 15, 2026) - NEWS SECTIONS: ECONOMY | TRADE DIVERSIFICATION | COUNCIL OF THE FEDERATION