Canada’s premiers are meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa as negotiations on renewing North America’s key free trade agreement cast a shadow over their talks.
Canada, the United States and Mexico are starting a review of the trade pact this year and U.S. President Donald Trump is already threatening new tariffs.
Carney urges focus on what Canada can control
Carney said Thursday’s meeting is about “focusing on what we can control.”
The prime minister said he and the premiers will discuss ways they can work together to forge new international trade partnerships and attract domestic investment.
“As we’re building new partnerships abroad, we’re focused on building our strength at home and transforming our economy,” Carney said while opening the meeting Thursday.
Carney thanked the premiers for working to reduce interprovincial trade barriers in their jurisdictions, but added more can be done.
Call to break down interprovincial trade barriers
“To realize our full potential, we need to break down the remaining costly and long-standing barriers once and for all,” he said.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford and New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt both said Wednesday they agree with Carney’s recent suggestion that “almost nothing is normal” right now with the United States.
Premiers seek unity amid tensions
Premiers are looking to present a united “Team Canada” front, though ongoing interprovincial disagreements are causing some tension.
Key among them is B.C.’s frustration over Ottawa’s endorsement of a possible pipeline to the West Coast.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told reporters asking about the prospect of a new pipeline Wednesday that she saw signs of “progress” and that talks with B.C. Premier David Eby and Carney went very well.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 29, 2026.