Monday June 2, 2025 | SASKATOON, SK – reporting from VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
After meeting for several hours today in Saskatoon, the Prime Minister and Canada’s Premiers addressed media about what sounds like a successful, collaborative meeting.
Introductory remarks were given by Prime Minister Mark Carney, Ontario Premier Doug Ford as chair of the Council of the Federation (COF), and the host province premier, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.
“We had a good meeting to advance opportunities for Canadians,” said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. Discussions were about advancing Canada’s economy among G7 nations.
Carney’s introduction:
Prime Minister Mark Carney thanked the premiers for their “consistent unwavering support” in the fight to revise Canada’s economy in the face of economic threat from the United States. He wants to build one Canadian economy out of 13.
Nation-building projects took up most of the closed-door discussion time today, according to the prime minister. That involved discussion around Canada’s economy, autonomy, resilience and security.
Once a project is designated as being in the national interest, all relevant federal departments will be brought together. That cross-ministry approach seems like something that would already be in place, but in many respects it is new.
As well: “Indigenous partnerships and equity will be central to success,” said Carney, emphasizing that all the premiers present at today’s meeting agreed.
We’re in a position to build big, build bold, and create one Canadian economy,” said Carney.
Ford leading the premiers:
COF Chair Doug Ford thanked all the premiers, saying they are all united. “Were going to move this country forward,” he said, noting there won’t be “federal duplication”.
“President Trump has declared economic war on every single business, and every single person in this country,” said Ford. “The President’s going to have a rude awakening,” said Ford, who leads the province that has the biggest economy in this country. He highlighted that there will be “large national infrastructure projects from coast to the coast to coast” including the building of roads, bridges and highways.
Bail reform is part of keeping communities safe. “Were going to make sure these violent criminal guys go to jail,” said Ford.
Ford said there is hope “for moving forward” in the overall objective to protect and build Canada’s economic strength.
United we stand and divided we fall. We are a united group., said Ford.
“This is the best meeting we’ve had in 10 years, the best I’ve had in seven years. We were all talking, now it’s time to put it into action,” said Ford.
“Canada is a big huge gold mine. That includes energy corridors, a super power around the world with oil and gas, small nuclear .. we need to unleash. We have to create the environment and conditions for companies to come here and invest,” said Ford.
“We’re confident with the leadership of the prime minister to give companies confidence,” said Ford.
Carney’s vision:
Opportunities for energy and critical minerals are related to the use of ports, Carney explained. An energy corridor (from western Canada toward the north) and critical minerals are part of the vision as well as pipelines.
Today’s meeting was more about explaining the new federal approach than about announcing specific projects, Carney explained.
“Our first job is legislation to give us the ability to make this a reality,” said Carney.
The list of projects is “a living list”, Carney explained, saying more projects will likely come forward and others may fall off the list if they don’t meet the criteria.
The Western-Arctic corridor was developed by premiers recently, mentioned by Carney today. “Our ambitions must be bigger and broader, consistent with having the strongest economy in the G7 and being an energy superpower.”
“We haven’t lost anything, we were threatened, and the Canadian people stood up to Americans,” said Carney with reference to the US President’s impact on Canada’s economy over the past six months. “We’re united, we’re going to build together and we’re going to build for all Canadians — that’s what came out of this meeting.”
“First Ministers also stressed the importance of creating a new economic and security relationship with the United States to remove the unjustified American tariffs – including longstanding unjustified duties on softwood lumber – and create a more stable and predictable trade environment. They underscored they all have a role to play to achieve this,” it was stated in a news release following today’s press conference.
Premiers all on board:
Various premiers contributed their thoughts during a press conference after the meeting:
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called it “the grand bargain”. She mentioned a ‘pathways project’ would decarbonize bitumen for product that would be delivered by pipeline to a port in northwest BC. The project would cost $10 to $20 billion.
“We will have failed at the assignment if government has to build another pipeline,” said Danielle Smith, saying the next pipeline should be built with private investment capital.
Smith summarized: I’m encouraged by the immediate change of tone that we’ve seen from recent months. When we hear the prime minister (describe Canada as) being an energy superpower… we haven’t heard that kind of language for some time on both conventional and clean power. The fact that we quantified that we’ve got 1.8 trillion barrels of oil bitumen, and about 165 billion barrels is recoverable at today’s technology — even at $60 oil — that’s a nine trillion dollars asset,” she said during the media availability.
“You simply wouldn’t have a policy of leaving a $9 trillion asset in the ground when it can stand to benefit everyone. You have to address issues of course, of Indigenous ownership and equity partnership. You have to address issues of course, of emissions and other environmental issues. But that’s what I heard — how do we have an ‘all of the above’ approach. And I think it’s very encouraging. So we’re willing to work with the federal government on addressing some of the issues that are going to stand in the way of creating the environment for private investment,” said Premier Smith.
“It doesn’t help you to build a pipeline to the west coast if there’s a tanker ban. It becomes difficult to expand your natural gas market if you’ve got net zero power regs (regulations) that are requiring it to be phased out by 2035. And you can’t expand production if you have an emissions cap. Those are future conversations to be had about how we create that environment. But what I heard is that the prime minister wants to work on a dual track to be able to find some compromises on all those, and I’m encouraged by that,” said Alberta’s premier.
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew said one of Canada’s advantages is “unity — our ability to work together”. Kinew hopes that a boosted economy will mean that more youth get a good education and that low-income people are helped so that “every Canadian kid can reach their full potential in this great country”.
Kinew added: “It’s in these moments of crisis that you see the true nature of Canadians shine through.”
New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt is in favour of the Eastern Energy Partnership, and New Brunswick is in support of supporting the other provinces, to serve every Canadian from each of our positions in the provinces.
Yukon Premier Ranj Pillal was pleased about the discussion of nation-building projects in all three territories. “To have federal support and having the opportunity to be part of it, was exciting and refreshing,” he said.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said that rail is needed for agrifood products getting through to Pacific and/or Atlantic ports. “This is a generational opportunity for Canadians,” said Moe, saying he looks forward to where this heads in the coming months. Energy is needed for powering data centres, said Moe. Always with a mind to environmental sustainability, he added.
Nunavut Premier PJ Akeeagok said that “the best measure of an economy is how healthy their communities are”.
BC Premier David Eby was represented by Deputy Premier Nike Sharma; Eby is currently on a trade mission in Asia.
Five criteria:
After more than an hour, the communique from the June 2, 2025 meeting was released. with contractual-style language.
“First Ministers agreed to work together to accelerate major projects in support of building a strong, resilient, and united Canada. As a first step, First Ministers discussed projects of national interest which fit the following criteria, subject to consultation with Indigenous Peoples whose rights may be affected,” it was stated in the news release from the Prime Minister’s office. Selected projects would:
- Strengthen Canada’s autonomy, resilience, and security.
- Offer undeniable benefits to Canada and support economic growth.
- Have a high likelihood of successful execution.
- Are a high priority for Indigenous leaders.
- Have clean growth potential, such as the use of clean technologies and sustainable practices.
Keeping the momentum:
It could be a challenge to keep high the spirit and momentum of this shared excitement but it seem like a good place to start.
Eventually some provinces will find out that the projects of benefit to their provincial economies might not benefit as much as others. But so far there is a stated commitment to falling in line with Carney’s vision of one united Canadian economy.
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