CUSMA negotiations, interprovincial trade on the table as Carney meets with premiers

Carney bear tidings group discussion after get together premiers in Ottawa

A Manitoba referendum on staying in Canada would be a choice between 'yeah and heck ya,' Kinew jokes

'We'll be there' for laid-off auto workers, Ontario premier says

Bank of Canada governor says 'it's pretty clear' days of open rules-based trade with U.S. Are over

Carney says he told Trump in call: 'I meant what I said in Davos'

Scott Bessent warns Carney not to 'pick a fight' with Trump

I'm the digital senior producer with the parliamentary bureau.

At the outset of today's meeting, the prime minister told the premiers the talks would focus on "building our strength at home and transforming our economy."

Carney said he and the premiers would look at ways to establish new trade partnerships. Many of his international trips in office have been focused on just that.

After his opening comments and those from P.E.I. Premier Bloyce Thompson, who chairs the Council of the Federation, media were led out of the room.

A Manitoba referendum on staying in Canada would be a choice between 'yeah and heck ya,' Kinew jokes

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew was asked Thursday about a report saying an Alberta separatist group sought support from U.S. Officials ahead of a potential referendum. He joked about what Manitobans might say should they be asked to decide if they want to stay in Canada.

Kinew joked about what options would be on a referendum ballot in Manitoba.

B.C. Premier says Alberta independence group courting Trump officials is 'treason'

B.C. Premier David Eby commented on a Financial Times report detailing meetings between leaders of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a separatist group, and U.S. President Donald Trump's White House officials. 'To ask for assistance in breaking up Canada, there's an old-fashioned word for that, and that word is treason,' Eby said.

Hi I'm Cat Tunney, a senior reporter with the parliamentary bureau. The premiers were talkative this morning on the issue of national unity in light of reports that members of the Alberta separatist movement have met with the Trump administration and are seeking financial backing from the U.S. Treasury.

"To go to a foreign country and to ask for assistance in breaking up Canada, there's an old-fashioned word for that, and that word is treason," said B.C. Premier David Eby.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew joked to reporters that all the talk makes him want to have a referendum as well.

"Except in Manitoba the question is going to be: 'Do you want to stay a part of Canada?' And the two choices are going to be yeah and heck yeah," he said.

And Ontario Premier Doug Ford urged Alberta Premier Danielle Smith "to stand up and say enough is enough." 

Eby said he plans to raise the issue behind closed doors, so we'll see if they have anything more to say when the meeting is over.

Hello, I'm an editor with the parliamentary bureau.

Prime Minister Mark Carney is meeting with Canada's premiers today in Ottawa, as a review of the North American trade deal is coming up later this year — and as potential tests to the strength of the federation are on the horizon.

Talk of independence in both Quebec and Alberta is heating up, and tensions remain over a potential pipeline to the West Coast.

The prime minister is expected to take questions after the closed-door meeting. We'll be providing updates here, and you'll be able to watch the news conference live above.

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