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PoliticsLloydminster, Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada

Sliced by the Border: Sandwich Laws in Lloydminster

A quirky tale of sandwiches and borders in a Canadian city grappling with trade restrictions.

By Norimitsu Onishi and Amber BrackenSource: nytimes.com1 min read
Sliced by the Border: Sandwich Laws in Lloydminster
Image via nytimes.com

In brief

In Lloydminster, a unique city straddling Alberta and Saskatchewan, sandwiches face legal hurdles due to interprovincial trade rules, prompting discussions about reform in federal trade policies.

Lloydminster, a Canadian city perched on the borders of Alberta and Saskatchewan, faces a humorous yet frustrating predicament: making and selling sandwiches can be illegal across the street! This unusual situation arises from strict interprovincial food regulations that have left local businesses scratching their heads. Take mayor Gerald Aalbers' word for it; creating tasty ham and cheese or a classic club sandwich can get complicated. Since meat products need to comply with federal certification to move between provinces, local shops find it tough to operate freely. This complex legal quagmire extends beyond sandwiches, affecting many other small businesses too.Prime Minister Mark Carney has flagged these convoluted trade rules as barriers that hinder economic growth in Canada. While Lloydminster enjoys the quirks of a dual-province identity, its residents hope for changes that could smooth the path for their beloved sandwiches and more. So, whether you're in Alberta or Saskatchewan, you might just have to wait for that signature sandwich to be legally served across the street!

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