CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI - Canada’s premiers are meeting on Prince Edward Island this week, to discuss the biggest issues the country faces, as it grapples with looming Canada-U.S. trade talks, ongoing wildfires, rising separatist sentiment in two provinces and persistent affordability challenges.
Gathering in Charlottetown over the next three days, provincial and territorial leaders are holding their annual summer meeting. Hosted by PEI Premier Rob Lantz, the gathering starts on Tuesday with an Indigenous leaders’ session.
“This is an opportunity for provinces and territories to come together to strengthen our partnerships, and advance solutions to the challenges facing Canadians,” premier Lantz said in a statement.
Wednesday, all 13 premiers will go behind closed doors to discuss ways to address nationwide challenges.
On the agenda: health care shortages, threats to Canadian security and sovereignty, barriers to internal and international trade, spurring economic growth, and enhancing public safety.
Some province-to-province project announcements are expected to be made as well.
On Wednesday afternoon The Council of the Federation has scheduled a press conference with the premiers, where any cross-country agreements or pledges will potentially be detailed.
Though, with ongoing provincial jockeying over major projects, energy policy, and infrastructure funding, the question-and-answer period could also provide new insight into any strained relationships or areas of interprovincial disagreement.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Mark Carney will be heading to Charlottetown to lead a First Ministers’ Meeting, focused on federal-provincial priorities.
There, premiers will get the opportunity to ask Carney for more details on the Canadian government’s strategy for negotiating with the Americans on changes to the trilateral trade deal known as CUSMA and seek updates on any new investment opportunities Carney’s pursuing abroad.
