SASKATOON – Prime Minister Mark Carney opened the First Ministers Meeting in Saskatoon, emphasizing national unity and inter-provincial cooperation, particularly in the face of ongoing wildfire crises and the every changing trade issues with President Donald Trump.Addressing the premiers, Carney began by acknowledging the host. "Thank you for the great Saskatchewan hospitality on very short notice," said Carney. "It was really only a month ago that we spoke and struck the date for this meeting, and under challenging circumstances."Carney addressed the severe wildfires impacting the northern Prairie Provinces. .“The challenges of the wildfires that are raging," said Carney, praising the "cooperation we see across the provinces, across Canada, volunteers, the Canadian Armed Forces, some help of the Americans as well." Carney pointed to the significant impact on Canadians, with 30,000 evacuees."You know, 40 years ago was the last time there was a First Minister meeting in the province of Saskatchewan,” said Carney.Convened by then-prime minister Brian Mulroney in 1985, that meeting concluded that First Ministers should meet annually. While that specific frequency has not always been met, Carney also recognized the vital role of the Council of the Federation, "bringing together the provinces to help build this country.".The economic landscape was also a key theme. Carney said the 1985 meeting occurred in the "run up to what would then be the free trade agreement with the United States," a pact that "brought great prosperity to both our nations, culminating in the best trade deal ever." Carney referred to the current CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement), but acknowledged, "that situation, as we all know, has changed. We're in the process of redefining our relationship with the United States." Carney assured the premiers the federal government is "working very much in partnership around this table" on this “redefinition.”A significant portion of Carney's address focused on strengthening Canada from within. ."I really want to salute the leadership around this table. I can't keep up with the flurry of announcements of free trade agreements between provinces and across the country," said Carney.To support these efforts, Carney promised federal action. "The federal government will do its part, tabling legislation very shortly to eliminate federal barriers to prevent moving goods and people, and also to put in place an ability to advance projects of national interest,” said Carney."We have seen the leadership around this table of developing, truly nation building projects and this is just the start. This is just the start, and it's what Canadians expect."Carney concluded with an optimistic outlook, stressing the importance of current efforts. "The coming weeks and months will be critical, really determine the momentum that's been created by you around this table that the federal government is looking to gratitude to translate that momentum, those ideas, into action,” said Carney.
