Canadian premiers are taking matters into their own hands on immigration policy after disagreements with the federal government over temporary worker permits.Council of the Federation Chair and Ontario Premier Doug Ford said the provinces will use their constitutional powers to issue work permits following meetings with Prime Minister Mark Carney this week.The discussions focused heavily on Canada's response to US trade tensions, with Carney updating premiers on negotiations with the Trump administration. .Federal spending on asylum seekers soars past $2 billion per year.Ford praised the unity among provincial leaders during the three day gathering."We've never been more united since I've been premier for over seven years," said Ford after the meetings ended. Ford described the premiers as "a team of champions" working together on shared priorities..The immigration disagreement centres on provincial control over labour markets. Ford said Carney agreed that provinces should have a stronger role in immigration decisions because they understand their local labour needs best. However, Ford criticized the Federal Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab for not sharing the same position as her prime minister..Parks Canada revokes permit for MAGA supporting Christian artist's concert over ‘safety’ concerns."We need the prime minister to be very clear with his minister," said Ford. "She needs to work with provinces and territories to fix Canada's immigration system."The premiers also discussed standing up for Canadian workers facing potential US tariffs under President Donald Trump's trade policies. .They talked about cutting red tape, opening internal markets, and building what Ford called "a stronger, more self-reliant economy."Other priorities included bail reform to keep criminals behind bars and making it easier for healthcare workers to move between provinces. The premiers agreed on faster approval processes for life saving medications..UPDATED: Autopsy confirms Montreal girl drowned, father charged with murder, felt 'tied down'.Ford will soon pass the federation chairmanship to Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz. Ford emphasized the importance of maintaining provincial unity, saying, “United we stand, divided we fall."The Council of the Federation represents all provincial and territorial leaders in discussions with the federal government on shared concerns.
