Premiers tout unity ahead of P.E.I. talks with Carney, ‘bullish’ on U.S. trade deal

P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz, who was hosting the Council of the Federation conference, said there’s a “new level of urgency” for premiers when they meet with Carney for formal talks Thursday.

“We’re looking forward to sharing our priorities … and working with the prime minister to ensure Canadians see a strong, united approach as we focus on protecting workers, farmers, fishers, businesses and all Canadians,” Lantz told reporters.

While Trump’s threat of more economic pressure on Canada have loomed large over the three-day meeting, the premiers spent hours in roundtable deliberations Wednesday to work out shared domestic priorities.

The premiers requested Ottawa renew health transfer agreements with the provinces and territories that will start expiring next year and commit to increasing the share of health care funding by five per cent annually starting in April 2028.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said maintaining universal access to a working health care system is a crucial part of creating a strong and independent Canada.

“There can be no bigger nation-building project than building up this nation’s people,” Kinew told reporters after talks between the premiers wrapped up Wednesday.

He said improving health care is not just about figures and percentages but taking care of Canada’s older adults who help build the country.

“Team Canada is not just united up against threats to our economy outside of our borders, I’m very happy that this team is united about taking care of people inside our borders, as well.”

Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston added that “healthy people drive healthy economies.”

As well, the group of leaders called on the federal government to continue its efforts to accelerate permit approvals for large projects such as pipelines and critical mineral extraction sites.

Federal investments in energy security was also top of mind.

Lantz called on federal support for new underwater transmission cables from the Canadian mainland to Prince Edward Island so his province could avoid future blackouts as energy needs increase.

Meanwhile, New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said Canada can leverage her province’s energy exports to the U.S. for Canada’s benefit.

“We want to see all of those connections, all of those regional partnerships that take our assets and energy and offer them up to strengthen Canada’s economy,” Holt said.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford agreed with using the country’s exports to apply pressure on the United States.

“Everything is on the table, we can’t keep rolling over for Donald Trump,” Ford said.

“That’s what I believe in, standing up strong — negotiate through strength. You don’t negotiate through weakness, especially with President Trump.”

Not all the leaders agree with that approach.

Alberta’s Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe have rejected the idea of cutting off provincial energy and potash exports in retaliation to U.S. levies.

Meanwhile, British Columbia Premier David Eby expressed frustration at U.S. levies that impact some Canadian industries and leave others untouched, saying the U.S. needs to “decide what they want.”

“Do they want a strong partner in Canada, where we work together, or are they keen to go at it alone?”

Many of the premiers called on Carney and his chief U.S. trade negotiator Dominic LeBlanc to intensify efforts to resolve the ongoing trade war with the U.S. and avoid the planned escalation next month.

Moe of Saskatchewan said he’s “positive and bullish” that Canada can find an agreement over the next few weeks.

“All we can do is make every effort … to support our federal government and support those that are sitting at the bargaining table,” said Moe.

He added a renewal of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement would be good for both Canadians and Americans.

Smith, who acknowledged most Alberta goods currently cross the U.S. border tariff-free, said the next few weeks, before Trump’s new levies come into effect, is a window of opportunity to work out a trade deal.

“I hope that we can get all of the outstanding issues on the table,” she added.

The premiers were scheduled to have dinner with the prime minister Wednesday evening before formal talks between the first minister get underway the following morning.

Internal trade barriers has also been a major topic of conversation this week, and nine premiers announced a deal on Tuesday to allow barrier-free direct-to-consumer alcohol sales in their jurisdictions.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2026.

Eli Ridder, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Premiers tout unity ahead of P.E.I. talks with Carney, ‘bullish’ on U.S. trade deal

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