A new report says nearly two-thirds of Canadian businesses want the government to work to reduce the barriers to internal trade to improve productivity.

A KPMG poll of 250 business leaders in Canada found that 64% of those surveyed say the government should remove interprovincial trade barriers and harmonize regulations and credentials as a top priority.

The online survey, conducted between May 9 and May 20, also found that 82% of business leaders believe eliminating interprovincial trade barriers will improve their company’s efficiency and productivity.

Among other top priorities identified by business leaders in the survey was a comprehensive tax review to improve competitiveness at 58%, while 56% said they want the government to streamline processes and expedite resource and major infrastructure projects.

The poll comes ahead of the speech from the throne on Tuesday, that is expected to lay out the new Liberal government’s priorities. Prime Minister Mark Carney was elected last month on promises to improve Canada’s economic resilience and nation-building projects in the face of U.S. tariffs.

The KPMG report says that 76% of those surveyed say they are bracing for the worst and taking steps to prepare for a Canadian recession, given the ongoing trade uncertainty.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 26, 2025.