Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered opening remarks at the First Ministers’ meeting on July 23, 2026 in Charlottetown, PEI. [livestream]
Thursday July 2, 2026 | CHARLOTTETOWN, PEI [Posted 8:28 am PT]
Political news analysis | by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting a meeting with Canada’s Premiers today July 23, in-person in Charlottetown, PEI.
The prime minister delivered remarks ahead of the working meeting with the 13 prime ministers and their teams.
Today’s First Ministers’ meeting comes after a virtual meeting that prime minister led virtually with the 13 premiers on Tuesday, during their two-day meeting as the Council of the Federation (COF) in Charlottetown.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Council of the Federation Chair Rob Lantz delivered opening remarks at the First Ministers’ meeting on July 23, 2026 in Charlottetown, PEI. [livestream]
Carney’s opening remarks:
Carney opened his remarks this morning by noting that Charlottetown was the birthplace of Canada’s confederation.
And, that things haven’t changed much.
Back in 1864 the circumstances included internal trade barriers holding back growth, cooperation was required across jurisdictions, and there was the threat of American invasion.
Confederation was finalized in July 1867. So it took about three years to pull things together — a subtle timeline pointed out by the prime minister as to how long it may take to implement whatever is initiated in discussions today.
Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered opening remarks at the First Ministers’ meeting on July 23, 2026 in Charlottetown, PEI. [livestream]
Canadians “know in their bones” that unity is our greatest strength and that “destiny in our hands”, said Carney.
He believes that Canadian governments “around this table” will do whatever it takes to defend families, workers, and businesses.
“Why we had barriers to internal trade is beyond me, but now we’ve removed them,” said Carney about the federal level of government, and he hopes all the provinces will follow suit if they haven’t done so already.
“When Team Canad is united there is nothing that we can’t do,” said Carney in rallying the troops in that room. He will need full and forward-thinking cooperation of the premiers in order to achieve his goals for this country.
Trade network:
Canada has a trade network “that is the envy of the world”, said Carney today. He noted that Canada’s newly expanded network reaches 1.5 billion consumers through 16 free trade agreements with 51 countries. That’s about two-thirds of global GDP, the former bank governor stated.
That market access will be doubled by the end of the year, said Carney.
The prime minister commended provinces for leading more than 50 trade missions since the last meeting he had with the premiers in January, and more than 130 since March 2025.
“We’re all working to diversify, and we’re building strength at home,” said Carney as to building one federal economy.
Electricity grid:
A key topic for today’s discuss with the premiers will be building out this country’s electrical grid, said Carney. That includes monetization aspects, he said with the lens of macroeconomics.
The prime minister commended Premiers Holt (NB), Houston (NS) and Lantz (PEI) for working together to coordinate operations of their electrical systems.
Carney also commended BC Premier David Eby for developing the North Coast transmission line with the Northern critical conservation corridor which — by providing clean power — will open up economic development in “a vast part of BC” as well as Alberta and Yukon.
Pipelines:
Carney tucked in a quick comment about “building out and expanding a carbon market across the country”, which is of course the touchy subject of oil and gas pipelines.
Timeline:
Carney declared that Canada is in a stronger position now than when the current trade war started over a year ago, largely “because of the focus of the premiers around this table”.
Carney noted that he has met with premiers 14 times since March 2025. He became Liberal leader and prime minister on March 10, 2025 and then was elected as prime minister in the April 28, 2025 election with a strong mandate that sucked voter support from across other parties.
Last year, voters considered Carney to be their best chance to fight the good fight against US attacks on this country’s economy and sovereignty. That momentum has, for the most part, continued in Carney’s favour for now over 18 months.
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COF Chair today:
Chair of the Council of the Federation (COF), PEI Premier Rob Lantz, said that the current challenges provide opportunities to strengthen the economy, make life more affordable, develop a stronger more united Canada, and improve and strengthen the health care system.
Council of the Federation Chair, PEI Premier Rob Lantz, delivered opening remarks at the First Ministers’ meeting on July 23, 2026 in Charlottetown, PEI. [livestream]
He said that the topic of health care funding “dominated conversation” yesterday among the premiers, and was a key topic for finance ministers who meet last week.
He wrapped up by saying the work by the premiers earlier in the week will have been good preparation for today’s meeting with the prime minister.
Premiers met July 21 & 22:
The 13 premiers meet Tuesday and Wednesday as the Council of the Federation (COF).
Canada’s Premiers at their 2026 summer meeting closing press conference, July 22, 2026 in Charlottetown, PEI. [screenshot]
Yesterday the Premiers held their closing press conference where the energy seemed intensely focused on how the premiers will be united in the trade war effort against the United States (combined with trade diversification). But they were waiting to see what Carney will present today.
The Premiers issued a COF news release after their July 22 closing press conference.
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