Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Canada’s First Ministers gathered in Saskatoon for a landmark summit to chart a bold new economic course for the country — marking the first First Ministers’ Meeting held in Saskatchewan in more than 40 years.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and provincial and territorial leaders released a joint statement pledging urgent reforms to accelerate major infrastructure projects, unlock interprovincial trade, and remove barriers to investment. The meeting comes at a critical moment as wildfires continue to disrupt communities across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta — prompting a united commitment from all levels of government to support affected regions.
The premiers and I want to make Canada a global energy superpower and build the strongest economy in the G7.
We’re working together to break down trade barriers across the country and get big, nation-building projects off the ground faster. pic.twitter.com/3x6GYBBGCH
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) June 2, 2025
At the centre of the summit was a new federal initiative titled One Canadian Economy, which proposes legislation to streamline project assessments and prioritize nation-building infrastructure such as pipelines, clean energy grids, ports, rail, and Northern transport corridors. The goal: to position Canada as the strongest economy in the G7 and a global energy superpower.
“We will act quickly to remove duplication, establish a two-year assessment timeline, and adopt a ‘one project, one review’ model,” the leaders stated. Indigenous equity and participation were emphasized as central pillars in the plan, including through increased Indigenous ownership of major projects.
The First Ministers also discussed lifting Chinese tariffs on Canadian food exports, tackling American softwood lumber duties, and creating a new Canada-U.S. economic and security relationship. At home, they agreed to mutual recognition of credentials across provinces, a 30-day standard for licensing, and expansion of the national trucking pilot to improve labour mobility.
On public safety, First Ministers called for immediate bail and sentencing reform, stronger tools to deal with repeat violent offenders, and an action plan to combat the toxic drug supply, including fentanyl trafficking.
The meeting closed with a pledge to meet regularly going forward, as Canada faces mounting economic and global pressures.
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