PM Mark Carney holds first briefing with Premiers following Trump meeting

Prime Minister Mark Carney held a phone call with the country’s leaders Wednesday to brief them on his first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump.

Premier Doug Ford spoke with reporters about the phone call, saying he commended Carney for the way he handled himself during the meeting.

He said it was a step in the right direction.

Ford also said he discussed with Carney some of Ontario’s priorities in the face of the tariffs, and what Carney should focus on as prime minister that the last one did not.

“The restraint he showed,” said Ford. “I don’t think I’d have the restraint that he had yesterday to be frank, but in saying that, I think it’s a good start.”

Carney spoke with the country’s premiers since he was elected last week in, what is known as a first minister’s meeting, to brief them on his meeting with Trump.

During the phone call, Ford says everyone congratulated Carney on the meeting, where the leaders discussed Canada-U.S. relations and the ongoing trade war.

“It’s good for the country, it’s good for the U.S.,” said Ford.

On the phone call, Ford said he made it clear to Caney what Ontario’s priorities are, and that the province is in “a critical time” where infrastructure projects must speed up.

“There’s no longer time to sit around and wait ten years,” said Ford. “As we do in EA (Environmental Assessments) everything else, we just want to move forward with projects.

“This is a critical time in Ontario, Canada and the rest of the world is up against these tariffs,” said Ford.

The Ontario premier said people need to keep working in the province, and that “one way you do it is by building roads, and highways, and hospitals, and schools, and bridges – that’s what we’re going to do.”

He also added that his government is going to make sure environmental assessments are done.

Ford also touched on the situation in Alberta, following Premier Danielle Smith’s proposal to hold a referendum on separation from Canada.

He said now was the time to unite the country, criticizing former prime minister Justin Trudeau for alienating western provinces.

“I was pretty blunt – I said it’s time your government starts to show love to Alberta and Saskatchewan, because as I said, the last prime minister showed no love,” said Ford. “As a matter of fact to the contrary, let’s start diversifying trade when it comes to oil, let’s start building pipelines west, east, and north and yes, south as well.”

Ford added that he supports Alberta’s pipelines on one condition: that they use Ontario steel.

Carney posted on X just before 4 p.m. to speak about his meeting with the premiers.

It reads that he is focused on launching big nation-building projects, removing internal trade barriers and building one Canadian economy.

Carney expects to meet with them again in Saskatoon June 2.

READ MORE: Doug Ford asks Mark Carney to prioritize ‘nation-building’ Highway 401 tunnel