CANADA VIBES NEWSROOM · EVENING EDITION
July 23, 2026 · 9:00 PM ET

The Council of the Federation wrapped up Thursday in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, where provincial and territorial premiers met with Mark Carney to discuss US tariffs, health care and the cost of living.

The Council of the Federation, chaired by Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz, met at the Delta Prince Edward hotel in Charlottetown from July 21 to 23, bringing together all thirteen provincial and territorial premiers.

Prime Minister Mark Carney chaired a First Ministers’ Meeting on Thursday to discuss the latest US tariff measures and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, following President Donald Trump’s announcement of new 50% tariffs.

According to Le Devoir, Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette asked to see Ottawa’s negotiating plan on the US tariffs, as provincial premiers said they wanted to present a united front.

Beyond trade, discussions also covered health care, community safety, the cost of living, economic growth and Arctic sovereignty, according to the premiers’ joint communiqué.

Radio-Canada reported some divergence among the provinces on the best way to respond to the US measures, despite the stated goal of unity.

What to watch

Next steps in federal-provincial negotiations ahead of the August 19 tariff deadline, possible support measures for affected sectors, and the date of the next premiers’ meeting.

Sources

• Canada’s Premiers, news releases of July 21 and 23, 2026
• Radio-Canada, “Conseil de la fédération à l’Île-du-Prince-Édouard : entre tarifs et enjeux locaux”
• Radio-Canada, “Tarifs américains : « toutes les options » sont sur la table”
• Le Devoir, “Fréchette veut voir le plan de négociations d’Ottawa”
• Island Social Trends, “Carney to host First Ministers meeting in Charlottetown July 23”