Infrastructure investments and the state of U.S.-Canada trade negotiations are high on the agenda Canada's premiers have for an upcoming meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney.
The premiers laid out their priorities for the meeting in a letter to the prime minister made public on Tuesday. The virtual meeting with Carney is scheduled for Nov. 17.
The meeting will be the latest in a series of meetings between the premiers and Carney since he became prime minister earlier this year.
In their letter, the premiers said Canada's relationship with the United States has changed significantly since their last meeting in August and it's important to keep the provinces in the loop.
"Engagement among first ministers has been key to information sharing, co-ordinating efforts to increase internal trade, ensuring the affected workers and enterprises receive adequate support, and, most importantly, responding to the evolving dynamic with our largest international trading partner," wrote Premier Rob Lantz of Prince Edward Island.
"It is imperative that this collaboration continues."
Lantz currently chairs the premiers' association known as the Council of the Federation.
Premiers said in the letter they appreciate Carney's commitment to regular meetings and said Canada's economy is best served when there is collaboration between Ottawa and the provinces and territories.
The meeting comes weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump halted trade talks with Canada after erupting over an anti-tariff ad the government of Ontario Premier Doug Ford aired in the United States.
The ad featured archival video of former president Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs in 1987.
Ontario initially paid about $75 million for the ad, which was to run on multiple American television stations until January. After Trump's move, Ford pulled the ad but only after it ran during the first weekend of the World Series.
Canada's trade talks with the U.S. are sure to be on the table Monday as the premiers press for an update on the state of relations and negotiations between the two countries.
They also want to discuss trade relations with China and India, the federal major projects push and federal infrastructure investment.
"As you noted in the Speech from the Throne, this moment is 'an opportunity for Canada to embark on the largest transformation of its economy since the Second World War,'" Lantz wrote in the letter.
"This transformation will best occur and will maximize the opportunities and benefits for all Canadians when first ministers are working collaboratively. Premiers look forward to meeting with you and to realizing this opportunity together."
Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
