OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney will host a meeting of Canada’s premiers and territorial leaders in Ottawa later this month, as the country faces mounting global uncertainty and stalled trade discussions with the United States.
According to a senior government official, the first ministers’ meeting is scheduled for January 29, following a working dinner on the evening of January 28. The gathering is expected to focus on coordinating Canada’s economic strategy in response to ongoing trade pressures and broader geopolitical developments.
In recent months, federal, provincial, and territorial leaders have held regular virtual meetings to align efforts aimed at strengthening Canada’s economy and supporting industries affected by tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump, particularly in the steel, aluminum, and softwood lumber sectors.
Discussions are also expected to include progress on major infrastructure projects and preparations for upcoming talks related to the review of the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Prime Minister Carney has confirmed that Dominic LeBlanc, the minister responsible for Canada–U.S. relations, will meet with American counterparts in mid-January to formally initiate trade negotiations.
The timing of the premiers’ meeting coincides with the opening day of the Conservative Party of Canada’s three-day national convention in Calgary, where party leader Pierre Poilievre is set to undergo an automatic leadership review following the party’s election loss last year.
The Ottawa meeting is expected to underscore the federal government’s push for a unified national approach as Canada navigates trade challenges, economic pressures, and an increasingly complex international environment.