PM Mark Carney plans Saskatoon summit with premiers as Alberta eyes secession and U.S. trade tensions grow. Doug Ford urges support for Western provinces.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is preparing to meet Canada’s premiers in Saskatoon on June 1–2, aiming to ease growing regional tensions, strengthen economic ties, and confront national disunity. The meeting comes amid trade challenges with the U.S. and a looming push for a potential Alberta secession vote.
Carney’s summit is also aligned with his recent pledge to eliminate all federal interprovincial trade barriers by July 1, part of his broader economic and unity strategy.
Ford to Carney: ‘Show Saskatchewan and Alberta Some Love’
Following a virtual meeting with Carney and fellow premiers, Ontario Premier Doug Ford applauded the decision to host the next First Ministers’ Meeting in Saskatchewan, calling it a necessary step to rebuild trust in the West.
“I told the prime minister, it’s time his government shows Saskatchewan and Alberta some love,” Ford said at Queen’s Park. “The last prime minister showed the opposite.”
Ford praised Carney for his restraint during a high-stakes meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier this week, suggesting the meeting laid a foundation for renewed North American diplomacy.
Alberta Premier Smith Pushes Referendum Reforms
Adding complexity to the national unity debate, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently proposed lowering the threshold for citizen-initiated referendums, including on provincial secession. The legislation would allow a referendum with signatures from just 10% of eligible voters, and extend the timeline to gather them.
Although Smith said she doesn’t want Alberta to separate, she emphasized the impact of a decade of Liberal governance on Alberta’s energy sector and regional autonomy.
“I want Canada to stay strong, but we must respect provincial jurisdiction,” she told CTV’s Power Play.
Ford, Smith Play Down Personal Tensions
Despite public disagreements over secession, both Ford and Smith attempted to downplay any personal rift. “There’s a big misnomer that we don’t get along,” Ford said. “I could call her up right now and say, ‘Come to Toronto for lunch.’”
Ford emphasized that Western provinces have been neglected for too long, and reiterated his support for Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Pipelines and Trade Key to Unity Agenda
Ford underlined that new pipelines—not just to the south, but east, west, and north—will be essential to ensuring Alberta’s resources reach new markets. He also highlighted Ontario’s progress on interprovincial trade deals, including agreements with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, with more expected from Saskatchewan and PEI.
“Even Danielle is texting me to sign a deal,” Ford said.
Carney Urged to Reinvigorate North American Trade
Goldy Hyder, president of the Business Council of Canada, encouraged Carney to build on momentum by inviting Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to next month’s G7 Summit in Alberta. A trilateral meeting on the sidelines could set the stage for revisiting and extending the USMCA agreement.
Though Carney’s office hasn’t confirmed such plans, he has stated that trade talks with Trump have already begun.
Bloc Québécois Gives Guarded Praise, But Wants Results
Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet acknowledged Carney’s steady performance with Trump, but criticized the lack of immediate outcomes, especially on tariffs. “He didn’t get us a better deal,” Blanchet said, “but at least he didn’t embarrass us.”
As Carney moves westward to mend divides and build momentum, all eyes will be on Saskatchewan in June. Stay tuned to Maple News Wire for full coverage of the First Ministers’ Meeting and its impact on Canada’s national future.
