Huntsville-Gathered in the Muskoka region for their annual summer meeting, the Prime Ministers of the Provinces and Territories have bet on the strengthening of the Canadian economy by reducing obstacles to domestic trade and mobility of labor. Also at the heart of exchanges: immigration, health, security, forest fires, development of infrastructure projects of national interest or international trade.
As president of the Federation Council, Ontario Prime Minister Doug Ford received the Prime Ministers of the provinces and territories from July 21 to 23 at Deerhurst Resort, in Huntsville, the cottage country de l’Ondario.
It was an “opportunity to work together to respond to the last threat of President Trump and to carry out the full potential of the Canadian economy,” said Ontario Prime Minister upstream.
At the end of the closing conference on Wednesday, strong themes won, such as the interprotrovincial collaboration.
“The provinces and territories of Canada are more united than ever,” said Ford.
The Prime Ministers notably undertook that their respective governments carry out at least one commercial mission in another province or another territory over the next year. These missions will strengthen the pan -Canadian supply chains.
Among the looming measures:
- Law deposit targeting domestic trade
- Examination and elimination of the exceptions specific to certain parts within the framework of the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (ALEC)
- Conclusion of negotiations to add a chapter on financial services to Alec
- Expanding the possibilities for the sale of alcoholic beverages directly to consumers
- Advancement of mutual recognition
- Improved labor mobility.
The conclusion of a complete mutual recognition agreement covering consumer goods, in accordance with the discussions of the Internal Trade Committee, should take effect by December 2025.
Several announcements have emanated from individual meetings, such as the signing of free trade agreements between Ontario, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.
The Saskatchewan has also joined the agreement for an east-west corridor between Ontario and Alberta on the construction of large infrastructure projects such as pipelines or railways to transport critical minerals from Ontario and Western Canada gas.
“Today’s understanding protocol provides that new pipelines will be built with Ontario steel along a route that will bring oil and Western Canada to new and existing refineries in southern Ontario, as well as a new deep water port in James bay,” said a press release.
Immigration and Public Security: The Prime Ministers are demanding concrete actions from Ottawa
The provincial and territorial prime ministers ask the Federal Government to restore the quotas of the Program of Provinces and Territories Program (PCPT), reduced by 50 %, and to increase their share in economic immigration. They also wish increased collaboration on the issue of international students, ensuring that access to the postdiplome work permit reflects the needs of local markets.
Regarding asylum requests, they call Ottawa to accelerate treatments and allow applicants accepted to fully integrate into the company. If they greet the intention of bill C-2 aimed at better management of the system, they require being fully involved in any reform.
In terms of public security, the Prime Ministers insist that the federal government in depth reforming the system of release under bail by modifying the Criminal Code. They call for joint efforts to reduce recurrences and violence, also by attacking systemic causes such as poverty, dependencies or mental health disorders. Finally, they request a revision of risk assessment in cases of recidivist sex offenders, domestic violence and gender -based crimes.
The Prime Minister of Prince Edward Island, Rob Lantz, will take over from the mandate of president of the Federation Council from the 1stis August 2025. It is therefore on the Prince Edward Island that the next summer meeting of the Prime Ministers of the Provinces and Territories will take place from July 21 to 23, 2026.
