July 22, 2025

PM CARNEY AT HEAD OF CANVAS TABLE AS NEW CANADIAN VISION DRAWN WITH PREMIERS, FIRST NATIONS CHIEFS IN MUSKOKA

HUNTSVILLE — In a town made famous by Tom Thomson’s views of Canada, a meeting room here bearing his name is where a new vision of the country will be drawn today and tomorrow with new Prime Minister Mark Carney sitting at the head of the talks table.

It starts this morning with two more MOUs (memorandum of understanding) between Ontario’s Doug Ford and Saskatchewan and Alberta counterparts Scott Moe and Danielle Smith.

The three premiers will add their names to an almost full list of first ministers and territorial leaders who are uniting Canada as seldom seen collegially since Confederation.

Also on Day 1 Ford hosted an afternoon meeting between the premiers and leaders of national Indigenous organizations.

He welcomed National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak of the Assembly of First Nations, National Chief Brendan Moore of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, President Victoria Pruden of the Métis National Council, and President Josie Nepinak of the Native Women’s Association of Canada to the meeting, along with Ontario Indigenous leadership. Elder Hilton King of Wasauksing First Nation joined to open the meeting.

In the Tom Thomson meeting room at Deerhurst the prime minister, provincial first ministers and First Nations Chiefs will discuss and debate how best to address Donald Trump’s tariffs, while coming to terms with each other around the tables as they look forward to rebuilding a new vision of Canada in an ever changing world to help Canadians coast to coast. PHOTOS Mark Clairmont, MuskokaTODAY.com

Following that meeting, Ford issued the following statement:

“I was pleased to welcome Canada’s premiers and Indigenous leaders from national and Ontario Indigenous organizations in Muskoka,” he said in a statement. “I am grateful for the opportunity to hear directly from Indigenous leaders from across Canada about the priority issues facing their communities.”

He said they had a productive discussion focused on economic development and advancing economic reconciliation, particularly in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing threat of tariffs and the need to build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy.

“Doing so will require strong partnerships with Indigenous communities. We recognize the essential and meaningful contributions Indigenous communities, workers, businesses and people make to building resilient economies, regions and communities across Canada.

“Working together is key to advancing Indigenous-led approaches to economic development, prosperity and wealth creation that respect the diversity of Indigenous communities and cultures. This includes a focus on providing Indigenous communities with generational economic opportunities through equity partnership from the development of resource projects, including critical minerals. As we build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy, we will always meet our duty to consult with Indigenous communities.

“I want to thank each of the Indigenous leaders for coming together today to talk about how we can build prosperity for their communities and for Canada. When all of us — provinces, territories, Indigenous communities and the federal government — work together, there’s nothing we can’t achieve. Team Canada is unstoppable.”

**The MOU signings follow two others signed on the first unofficial day of the Council of the Federation’s 2025 Summer Meeting July 21–23 here at Deerhurst Resort.**

MOUs cut barriers and red tape

Ford was joined Monday by British Columbia Premier David Eby, Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton, Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson and Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok to sign two new Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) to boost internal trade, improve labour mobility and tear down long-standing barriers to doing business between provinces and territories. This included an Ontario-British Columbia MOU and an MOU between Ontario and the three territories.

“With President Trump’s ongoing threats to our economy, there’s never been a more important time to boost internal trade to build a more competitive, resilient and self-reliant economy,” said Premier Ford. “By signing these MOUs and working together, we’re helping Canada unlock up to $200 billion in economic potential and standing shoulder to shoulder to protect Canadian workers across the country.”

Through these agreements, premiers are working together to eliminate red tape, cut costs for businesses and open new pathways for skilled workers to move more freely across the country. With the MOUs signed today, Ontario has now secured agreements with 10 provinces and territories, making Ontario the national leader in strengthening interprovincial trade and cooperation.

Said Yukon Premier Mike Pemberton: “It’s an important step in reducing barriers and expanding opportunities for workers, businesses and communities in the North — building on progress we’ve already made. By working together, we’re helping ensure that the territories, including the Yukon, can fully participate in and contribute to Canada’s economy.”

Premier R.J. Simpson, Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson added: “For the North to reach its full economic potential, we need to reduce the barriers that make it harder for our people and businesses to connect with the rest of the country — and for them to connect with us.

And Nunavit’s Premier P.J. Akeeagok agreed.

“This MOU is a strategic opportunity for Nunavut to enhance labour mobility, reduce trade barriers and strengthen our economic ties with other jurisdictions. It positions Nunavut to be a more connected and competitive player in Canada’s economy.”

Ontario has now signed MOUs with 10 of 12 other provinces and territories to boost interprovincial trade.

A seat at this table signals the willingness of all provinces, territorities and First Nations to talk and be heard with the understanding that what’s good for one is good for all they agree at that start.

Additional Resources

. Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario and Nova Scotia

. Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario and New Brunswick

. Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario and Manitoba

. Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario and Saskatchewan

. Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario and Alberta

. Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario and Prince Edward Island

. Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario and British Columbia

. Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario and Northwest Territories and Yukon and Nunavut

Steps in the right direction

Heading in to two days of intense meeting, the first day with the prime minister and Chiefs, followed alone Day 2, the premiers and territorial leaders understand that the process remains a lengthy journey that begins and will continue with these first steps they said when they arrived in Huntsville yesterday.

This with Thomson’s haunting presence lining the walls of the resort to remind everyone lest they rest and relax too much in Muskoka.