A weeks-long debate over Alberta license plates in Saskatchewan has finally come to an end.

Earlier today (January 22) The Government of Saskatchewan lifted a ban that was imposed in December on vehicles carrying Alberta license plates on new construction sites in the province.

That ban did not sit well with Alberta's Minister of Trade, Deron Bilous, who took the matter to the New West Partnership.

Regardless, Bilous is relieved that the dispute is over.

"When you're wrong, you're wrong. Brad Wall waited until the eleventh hour to do the right thing that hurt Alberta businesses on both sides of the border. He played football with the livelihood of Alberta workers and companies."

Bilous said that Saskatchewan was given a 30-day window to retract the ban or have the move put in front of an independent arbitration panel.

Had the two provinces met in the arbitration, Saskatchewan could have been hit with a $5 million fine if the panel determined they violated the New West Partnership.

The two provinces will still be meeting shortly to discuss other matters of trade.

"We are still meeting with Saskatchewan on January 31st, " says Bilous, "My hope is that at that meeting, we can talk about the broader trade discussion as far as how to reduce barriers, how do we enhance trade. How do we harmonize our regulations better and more so that it's easier to do business across the provinces."

READ MORE:

Alberta Files An Official Complaint Over Saskatchewan's License Plate Ban

 

 

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