Consumers

• How will the NWPTA reduce the costs of the goods and services I purchase?
• Will the NWPTA affect the ability of governments to make regulations that protect consumers?

How will the NWPTA reduce the costs of the goods and services I purchase?

Businesses build the costs they must pay – including fees charged by government – into the costs of everything they sell you. If governments can reduce the costs that businesses pay to them, those savings can be passed on to you. With the NWPTA, businesses that want to operate in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan will have lower costs for regulated services, for example, business registration and transport-truck registration, and for work done to meet government requirements, such as filing annual reports with corporate registries.

Will the NWPTA affect the ability of governments to make regulations that protect consumers?

No. The NWPTA recognizes that governments have legitimate objectives other than promoting freer trade, investment and labour mobility. These include consumer protection, public security and safety, protection of human, animal or plant life or health, and protection of the environment. The NWPTA also specifically exempts measures relating to social policy.