Key Dates

• July 1, 1995: the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT) comes into effect and commits the federal, provincial and territorial (excluding Nunavut) governments to reducing impediments to trade within Canada in specific ways within certain defined sectors and with a large number of exceptions. Under the AIT, signatories are given the power to pursue further trade liberalization agreements.
• October 8, 2003: Alberta and British Columbia sign Protocol of Agreement
  Following a joint cabinet meeting, Alberta and British Columbia confirmed their commitments to explore opportunities for joint initiatives to expand provincial trade and investment opportunities and to reduce impediments to trade.
• May 26, 2004: Internal Trade Framework Agreement developed
  Following a joint cabinet meeting, the governments of the two provinces develop a framework to guide negotiation of a comprehensive bilateral agreement to enhance trade, investment and labour mobility.
• March 18, 2005: Third joint British Columbia-Alberta cabinet meeting
  In a third joint cabinet meeting, Alberta and British Columbia agree to work together in several areas, including the establishment of new economic gateways to improve access to the vast and rapidly growing markets in Asia.
• April 28, 2006: TILMA signed by Premiers of Alberta and British Columbia.
  The Agreement creates the second largest economic region in Canada, eliminating obstacles to trade, investment and labour mobility between the two provinces.
• September 5, 2006: Alberta and British Columbia promote TILMA at a national meeting.
  Ministers from the two provinces promote TILMA as a model for the rest of Canada during a meeting on internal trade in Halifax.
• April 1, 2007: TILMA comes into effect for the two provincial governments.
• April 1, 2009: TILMA is fully implemented.