Ontario Premier Doug Ford has invited Canada’s premiers to a summer meeting in Muskoka with a focus on advancing major projects.
Ford invited his counterparts on June 5 to the annual Council of the Federation (COF) meeting that will take place in Huntsville, Ont., this summer from July 21 to 23.
The statement says that the meeting will provide an opportunity for the premiers to discuss how they will move forward with “nation-building” projects, continue to manage Canada-U.S. relations, and increase safety in communities across the country.
Premiers will also meet with leaders of national indigenous organizations during the summit “to have focused discussions on economic development, economic reconciliation and other key priorities for Indigenous peoples and communities,” the government of Ontario said.
The COF usually meets in person at least twice per year, with virtual meetings year-round, and consists of all 13 provincial and territorial premiers. The position of chair, which Ford currently holds, rotates annually between the premiers.
The statement said the first ministers discussed “projects of national interest,” including those that strengthen Canada’s independence, offer the country economic growth, and are a priority for indigenous leaders, with the aim to grow the economy to become the “strongest in the G7 and a global energy superpower.”
“First Ministers also stressed the importance of creating a new economic and security relationship with the United States to remove the unjustified American tariffs – including longstanding unjustified duties on softwood lumber – and create a more stable and predictable trade environment,” the statement says.
Ford echoed the need to strengthen Canada’s economy in the face of U.S. tariff threats in his June 5 statement.
“There’s never been a more important time for all of us from coast to coast to coast to work together to build the most competitive economy in the G7,” Ford said.
