Canada’s first ministers met in Charlottetown on Wednesday to address what they described as urgent challenges facing the country, focusing discussions on Canada-U.S. relations, energy independence, internal trade barriers and carbon markets.
It marked the 14th time first ministers have convened since March 2025 and the fifth time they have met in person, according to a joint statement released following the meeting. The leaders acknowledged wildfires affecting parts of the country and thanked firefighters, first responders and Canadian Armed Forces personnel for their assistance to affected communities.
First ministers continued discussions from July 21 on a series of unilateral U.S. trade actions, including tariffs the statement says were imposed in direct violation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. The prime minister reiterated that Canada is ready to engage with the U.S. for the mutual benefit of both countries, and the leaders reaffirmed the importance of a unified, Team Canada approach as they defend Canadian workers, farmers, businesses and families.
The prime minister updated the premiers on foreign policy issues and international developments, including efforts to diversify Canada’s trade partnerships, noting the federal government has signed more than 20 economic and security partnerships. He thanked the premiers for their role in building economic partnerships abroad, pointing to nearly 140 trade missions led by provinces and territories since March 2025.
The leaders agreed that unlocking Canada’s potential as an energy superpower requires increased collaboration, noting the country’s electricity demand is expected to double by 2050. They commended progress on strengthening energy trade between provinces and territories and took note of a new National Electricity Strategy meant to double the capacity of Canada’s grid by 2050. First ministers directed their energy ministers to work together on implementing electricity interties, and agreed to complete pre-development work on intertie projects by July 2027, with an initial tranche underway by the end of 2027 and all projects completed no later than the end of 2028, subject to favourable market conditions.
The leaders also discussed progress on internal trade and labour mobility since their January meeting, agreeing to work toward an agreement in principle by the end of 2026 to adopt model mutual recognition legislation aimed at creating one Canadian market. They directed the Committee on Internal Trade to begin work immediately and report back regularly.
On carbon markets, first ministers agreed to launch a new federal-provincial-territorial working group by the end of summer to explore models for linking carbon markets across the country, with a report due back by July 2027. The prime minister committed to working with the premiers to update the carbon pricing benchmark, targeting finalization by the end of 2026.
The statement also noted progress on strengthening the Criminal Code and endorsed a Federal Provincial Territorial Action Plan for Safer Communities submitted by attorneys general and ministers of justice and public safety. On health care, the leaders said they would direct their ministers of health and finance to discuss longer-term funding and productivity in the sector.
First ministers agreed on the benefits of regular communication and said they would continue to meet regularly to ensure progress on major challenges and opportunities facing Canadians.
