Exclusive Insights: Behind the Scenes of This Week’s First Ministers’ Meeting from an Insider's Perspective

Prime Minister Mark Carney convened his inaugural meeting with Canada’s provincial and territorial premiers this week, marking a significant turning point in federal-provincial relations after the recent national election. The gathering, described by Ontario Premier Doug Ford as “the best in 10 years,” saw all 14 leaders come together to discuss the federal government’s vision to fast track major nation-building infrastructure projects, ranging from transportation corridors to clean energy pipelines.

Despite some pointed rhetoric ahead of the summit—particularly from provinces with resource-driven economies such as Alberta—the tone within the discussions was markedly positive. Alberta’s representatives expressed cautious optimism about the potential for accelerated approval of critical projects that could bolster economic growth and energy exports. The prospect of a new trans-provincial pipeline was reportedly greeted with “encouragement” rather than skepticism, signaling a potential thaw in what has often been a contentious debate between oil-producing provinces and Ottawa.

A key question raised during the meeting was the level of federal financial support that provinces can expect for these ambitious projects. Several premiers pressed Prime Minister Carney for clear commitments on cost-sharing, indicating that federal backing will be essential if province-led infrastructure plans are to move forward at the hoped-for pace. However, as one premier noted, “the details will matter”—and many expect difficult negotiations over funding formulas and project eligibility in the months ahead.

One omission that has sparked criticism is the absence of Indigenous leaders from this high-level summit. With many major projects crossing traditional territories, several observers and former officials have emphasized that meaningful Indigenous engagement will be crucial both for legal reasons and for achieving reconciliation. Some premiers acknowledged this gap and called for Indigenous voices to be included directly in future talks.

As the nation looks ahead, experts warn that the road to delivering new pipelines and massive infrastructure projects will not be without obstacles. Challenges include overlapping regulatory regimes, environmental assessments, and the need for broad-based public and stakeholder support. Yet, the renewed spirit of cooperation exhibited at this meeting has left many hopeful that “a new era of constructive federal-provincial dialogue” may be possible under Prime Minister Carney’s leadership.