“We can’t keep rolling over for Donald Trump”: Canada’s premiers oppose new US tariffs

[0:16] Good afternoon, everyone. Bonjour tout le monde. [0:19] Thank you for joining today's news conference. [0:21] Bienvenue à cette conférence de presse. [0:24] We will start out today with remarks from the chair of the Clichette. [0:28] We will then take questions from the media. [0:30] It is my pleasure now to introduce the premier of Prince Edward Island, Rob Lance. [0:36] Thank you, Andrew, and good afternoon, everyone. [0:39] Over the past two days, Canada's premiers had productive discussions [0:43] on a number of issues that matter most to Canadians. [0:49] We met at a time when Canadians are looking to their governments for leadership. [0:55] And as the recent announcement of new U.S. tariffs has shown, [0:58] we're living in a time when uncertainty is the new norm. [1:03] Decisions made beyond our borders have real impacts on Canadian workers, [1:07] businesses, and families. [1:10] The cost of living is rising in every Canadian home. [1:14] Businesses are looking for certainty. [1:17] Communities want to know that governments can work together [1:21] to strengthen our economy, improve health care, [1:24] and build a secure future. [1:27] Canadians expect their governments to steer them safely through this difficult time. [1:31] They want governments to work together, make decisions, [1:35] and deliver results on the issues that matter most to them. [1:39] I'm pleased to say we achieved that goal today. [1:42] Throughout our discussions, one message remained clear. [1:46] Premiers support a strong and united Canada. [1:51] While each province and territory has its own priorities, [1:54] we've demonstrated that we have far more in common than what divided us. [2:00] Premiers had an open, constructive conversation about strengthening Canada's economy, [2:06] improving internal trade, building critical infrastructure, [2:10] enhancing public safety, and ensuring Canadians continue to have access [2:15] to the services that they rely on. [2:17] Leadership means bringing people together around shared priorities. [2:20] It means rolling up your sleeves, getting down to work. [2:23] That's exactly what we've done over the past two days. [2:27] I was honoured to serve as chair of this important work. [2:31] Growing Canada's economy and making life more affordable go hand in hand. [2:37] That's why we discussed how we can remove barriers to trade, support major projects, [2:44] and create the conditions for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs. [2:50] Affordability means whether families can afford everyday necessities, [2:57] whether businesses can expand, whether young people see opportunities to build their future here. [3:04] Canadians expect progress, and that's what Premiers have focused on. [3:10] Energy security has become one of Canada's most important priorities. [3:16] Canadians expect an electricity system that's reliable, resilient, and prepared for the future. [3:22] Prince Edward Island, for us, we need a commitment for new subsea transmission cables. [3:30] This is a major project that will deliver energy security Islanders want and deserve. [3:39] Health care remains a top priority across the country. [3:42] We heard that loud and clear. [3:46] Premiers discussed the need to continue recruiting health professionals, [3:49] improving access to care, and ensuring provinces and territories [3:53] have the financial resources they need to meet growing demand. [3:58] Strong federal-provincial partnerships matter. [4:01] Predictable, long-term funding gives provinces the certainty to plan, invest, and continue improving care for the people that we serve. [4:11] Serving as the Chair of the Council of the Federation has been a real privilege for me. [4:17] Throughout this week, I was also here as the Premier of Prince Edward Island, [4:21] and my responsibility has been to make sure that Islanders' priorities were part of this national conversation. [4:28] I advocated for stronger health care. [4:31] I advocated for greater energy security. [4:34] I advocated for economic growth that creates opportunities for Islanders and strengthens communities across our province. [4:44] And I continue to make the case that national policies and federal investments must recognize the realities of smaller provinces. [4:54] Hosting the Council of the Federation wasn't simply about welcoming my colleagues to Prince Edward Island. [4:58] It was about ensuring Islanders had a strong voice around the table as important national conversations took place here. [5:05] And I believe we achieved that goal, and we got some very important work done here. [5:11] Tomorrow, Premiers will meet with the Prime Minister here. [5:16] The discussions we had today were about strengthening every province to make Canada stronger. [5:22] We have a shared commitment to strengthen Canada's economy, improving affordability, and delivering results for Canadians. [5:30] But there's no doubt our conversation with the Prime Minister tomorrow will have a new level of urgency. [5:37] We're looking forward to sharing our priorities tomorrow and working with the Prime Minister to ensure Canadians see a strong, united approach [5:44] as we focus on protecting workers, farmers, fishers, businesses, and all Canadians. [5:50] Thank you very much. [5:53] Thank you, Premier. [5:55] Good afternoon, everyone. [5:56] Bonjour à tous. [5:57] Alors, c'est un privilège vraiment pour moi d'être parmi mes homologues aujourd'hui dans la belle ville de Charlottetown. [6:15] Et je tiens à remercier le Premier ministre Lanz pour son accueil et pour son rôle également à titre de président du Conseil de la Fédération, un rôle qu'il a assumé avec brio. [6:25] On a eu, entre Premier ministre des provinces et des territoires, des discussions particulièrement importantes dans un contexte où l'incertitude puis l'instabilité sont devenues monnaie courante, [6:35] sont devenues en quelque sorte la nouvelle norme. [6:38] Les décisions, en fait, qui sont prises même au-delà de nos frontières, et on peut penser aux États-Unis, en Iran, en Ukraine, [6:44] elles ont des répercussions tangibles jusqu'à chez nous, des répercussions qui sont ressenties à la fois par nos concitoyens, [6:51] les travailleurs, les entreprises et les familles, et on le voit avec les négociations aussi avec les États-Unis, ça a des impacts directs, [7:00] directs sur l'ensemble des provinces, des États fédérés, du territoire, et donc il faut agir. [7:06] Nos entreprises, bien, naviguent dans un environnement particulièrement incertain, où on a le rôle de leur offrir une prévisibilité. [7:14] S'il y a un rôle qu'on peut chercher à incarner chacun de nous, c'est bien celui d'offrir de la prévisibilité. [7:20] On souhaite aussi appuyer les familles, puisqu'elles doivent faire face à une augmentation du coût de la vie assez importante, et ce depuis quelques années. [7:29] Et c'est dans des moments comme ceux-là où on se dit que des réunions comme celles-là sont d'autant plus nécessaires. [7:36] Parce que les Canadiens s'attendent à ce que nous collaborions les uns avec les autres, que nous joignions nos efforts, [7:44] et également qu'on assure la sécurité, puis leur prospérité, prospérité de nos économies, puis également d'offrir du travail également dans des secteurs d'avenir. [7:54] Aujourd'hui, nos discussions, elles étaient tournées vers les Canadiens, puis les Canadiennes, les Québécois, les Québécoises, [8:00] et la façon dont nous avons convenu d'additionner nos forces, pour assurer que nous maintenons et faisons davantage prospérer un environnement dans lequel ils vont pouvoir s'épanouir. [8:11] Même si chaque province et chaque territoire a ses propres priorités, puis ses propres intérêts, [8:17] je pense qu'on a démontré qu'on peut se concentrer sur ce qui nous rassemble. [8:21] Les premiers ministres, en fait, on a tenu des discussions constructives sur le renforcement de l'économie, [8:26] également l'amélioration du commerce intérieur, l'importance d'investir dans les infrastructures, [8:32] et surtout aussi de maintenir un accès facilité aux différents services gouvernementaux. [8:38] On a aussi eu des discussions sur l'énergie, la sécurité énergétique particulièrement, [8:43] et sur le fait de la fiabilité de nos réseaux électriques, comme quoi c'est une priorité, [8:49] tout comme l'accès d'ailleurs à une électricité abondante et abordable. [8:53] Évidemment, les soins de santé ont occupé aussi une partie de nos discussions, [8:59] les soins de santé qui sont une priorité particulièrement pour chacun de nous tous. [9:04] C'est d'ailleurs un des points que nous ferons valoir demain, [9:07] lors de la rencontre avec le premier ministre Carney. [9:10] Dans les deux prochaines années, on demande à ce que le financement fédéral soit rehaussé, [9:16] à ce que le financement de la santé soit prévisible et à long terme. [9:22] En fait, on veut avoir de la certitude, la certitude nécessaire pour bien planifier, [9:27] investir et continuer d'améliorer les soins de santé pour la population. [9:32] Comme vous le savez aussi, on a discuté brièvement avec le premier ministre Carney hier, [9:37] et on le rencontrera demain à nouveau. [9:40] Donc, on partage avec le premier ministre fédéral l'ambition de demeurer résilient [9:46] et l'ambition de renforcer nos économies. [9:49] Évidemment, ces discussions-là s'inscrivent dans un contexte de nouvelles menaces tarifaires, [9:55] et ces discussions-là seront par conséquent d'autant plus importantes. [9:59] Les États fédérés, les provinces, les territoires ont un rôle important à jouer sur ce front-là, [10:05] et on demande au gouvernement fédéral de nous impliquer, de nous impliquer de façon systématique, [10:10] de façon proactive dans les négociations commerciales, internationales, [10:14] particulièrement quant à celles qui touchent nos champs de compétences. [10:19] Alors, j'ai hâte de travailler, de présenter nos priorités demain, [10:23] et de travailler avec le premier ministre Carney pour que nos citoyens constatent qu'on a une approche forte, [10:29] une approche coordonnée, unie, renforcée, alors que, dans le cadre des négociations de l'ASEUM, [10:34] alors qu'on met tout en œuvre pour protéger les travailleurs, protéger les entreprises, [10:38] protéger nos agriculteurs, protéger nos économies. Merci. [10:42] Merci, Madame la Première Ministre. [10:48] We will now move to media questions. [10:50] For those wishing to ask a question, please come to the microphone, state your name, [10:54] the outlet you represent, and direct your question to one premier. [10:58] You will be limited to one question only. [11:01] Kate McKenna, CBC News. Good afternoon, Premiers. [11:06] My question is for Premier Mo. [11:09] Today, U.S. Trade Representative Jameson Greer said he's expecting that these Kuzma trade talks will go into 2027. [11:18] Several Premiers indicated that they thought that a trade deal could be reached in the next 28 or so days. [11:25] I'm wondering if Mr. Greer's comments change your mind on that, [11:31] or if you think that that's still something that could be worked towards. [11:35] First of all, I would say I'm positive and bullish that we would be able to find an agreement in the near term, [11:43] in particular given what is now, I think, 10 rounds of tariffs that have been indicated by the President of the United States of America. [11:53] Some of those he has acted on with real impacts to, I think, in fairness, each and every province up here, including Saskatchewan. [12:00] Some of those he's backed away from as well. [12:03] We have about 27, 28 days left, I think, on this most recent announcement, which was his tenth announcement. [12:09] And I, as I said yesterday, this is an opportunity for us as Canadians, and our bargaining team, or our negotiating team, [12:18] Ambassador Wiseman, Janet Charette, and led by Dominic LeBlanc, and ultimately our Prime Minister, [12:24] to really intensify those negotiations in the effort to find some type of a review, and reviewed and renewed KUSMA. [12:33] Which is not only good for Canadian families and Canadian businesses, it is also, I would say, very, very positive for American families and American businesses. [12:42] The cost of living that we're feeling on the north side of the 49th parallel in our respective provinces, [12:47] the cost of doing business that businesses across Canada are experiencing is also happening in the United States of America. [12:55] And so it's in everyone's best interest in North America, the entirety of North America, for us to come to agreement in a reviewed and renewed KUSMA. [13:04] I am bullish that we will be able to find that in the near term. However, I'm not entirely confident that we will. [13:11] And so, all we can do is to make every effort, myself as a sub-national leader, to support our federal government [13:20] and support those that are sitting at that bargaining table with information from our respective jurisdiction, [13:25] and each leader up here, each provincial and territorial leader will be doing the same, [13:30] so that we can support that negotiating team in coming to that agreement as soon as possible. [13:35] It's good for Canadian families. It's good for American families. [13:39] And I would put forward that the competitive threats that we see in the world, the uncertainty that we see globally, [13:46] are not one another. They are other countries around the world. [13:50] And it would do us very well to review, renew what is the strongest trade agreement in the Western world, [13:56] get back to doing what we do best, which is, yes, an integrated economy across the 49th parallel, [14:02] but I would say a highly economic business environment as well for all of North America. [14:07] So, Canadians, yes, are looking for that agreement. [14:10] Saskatchewan businesses are looking for that certainty. [14:13] Saskatchewan families are looking for that certainty. [14:15] But I would say equally that American families and American businesses need that certainty as well. [14:19] So, I'm bullish, but I'm not entirely confident we'll get there. [14:23] And just to follow up for Premier Ford, Jameson Greer also said that when he spoke with his Canadian counterpart, [14:29] Dominic LeBlanc did not bring up retaliation. Do you think this is the right approach? [14:35] Well, I'm looking forward to sitting down with the rest of the Premiers and the Prime Minister. [14:41] He needs to lead the way. He needs to come up with a strong plan over the next 29 days. [14:46] And I'm interested in sitting down with him hearing the plan. [14:50] I just, and I'll just speak for Ontario, everything's on the table. [14:55] We can't keep rolling over for Donald Trump. [14:58] So, that's what I believe in. Standing up strong, negotiate through strength. [15:04] You don't negotiate through weakness, especially with President Trump. [15:07] On that note, Premier Ford, Rachel Aiello, CTV News. [15:11] You've spoken about standing up to a bully south of the border. [15:15] How do you feel about this new Gordie Howe Bridge Agreement, [15:19] which will see Canada have to share revenues sooner than the original deal? [15:23] Did Canada fail to stand up to the bully this time? [15:26] No. What I'm interested in is making sure goods get from U.S. to Canada and Canada to the U.S. [15:33] It's more goods travel across the Ambassador Bridge than anywhere else in the entire country. [15:39] Over a billion dollars of goods two-way go back and forth. [15:44] So, we need to make sure Gordie Howe Bridge is open. [15:48] I don't believe in one bridge having monopoly, which we've had for years. [15:53] But the good news is we're opening the bridge. [15:56] Alberta and Quebec's premiers, have your fellow premiers during your meetings this week [16:04] expressed any concern with you about how rising separatist sentiments in your respective provinces [16:10] could compromise the push towards national unity? [16:13] No, I didn't hear any comments on that topic. [16:19] Premier Smith? [16:20] Yeah. [16:21] No, it didn't come up. [16:22] Hello. [16:25] Olivier Véron, voici de TVA. [16:26] Première question, pour Mme Fréchette. [16:28] Est-ce que, sur les propos de Jébison Greer, est-ce que des négociations qui se tireraient jusqu'en 2027, [16:33] c'est acceptable pour le Québec? [16:35] Écoutez, notre souhait, c'est qu'un cadre stable soit mis en place dès que possible. [16:43] 2027, c'est dans quelques mois. [16:45] Alors s'il y a des négociations qui nous amènent au début de 2027, ce serait l'idéal. [16:53] The follow-up is for Premier Smith on energy security, building on the agreement that you've reached with Ontario regarding a pipeline that would remain on our side of the border. [17:04] I was wondering if you had or if you're planning on having talks with Quebec Premier about a potential connection that could bring a purchase oil to the province and then perhaps to European markets. [17:16] Well, I know that we're, I mean, I'm very excited about the proposal that Premier Doug Ford initiated for the Northern Shield Pipeline. [17:24] Delighted to hear that Premier Canoe also expressed some support for that. [17:30] And I would say we're going to first look at the feasibility of that. I think it's a 3300-kilometre pipeline. [17:37] And so there's a little bit more work that needs to be done on it. In the meantime, we'll be working on our West Coast Pipeline as the priority. [17:44] It's an established route going to southern British Columbia. And there's a lot of work to do to try to get that approved by the September 2027 deadline. [17:55] Bonjour. Sébastien Desrosiers de Radio-Canada. Ma question est pour Mme Fréchette. [18:02] Mme Fréchette, vos homologues du Manitoba et du Nouveau-Brunswick se sont dit prêts à défendre le Canada en cas de référendum au Québec. [18:08] Vous qui n'en voulez pas, est-ce que vous encouragez les premiers ministres des provinces à militer en faveur d'une unité canadienne auprès des Québécois? [18:16] Est-ce que le contexte l'exige, selon vous? [18:18] Moi, je vais travailler pour qu'il n'y ait pas de déclenchement de campagne référendaire. [18:24] Alors, mes collègues n'auront pas à s'investir d'une quelconque manière. [18:28] Bravo! [18:31] Et sur Churchill Falls, vos adversaires pensent qu'une entente à ce point-ci serait illégitime. [18:36] Qu'en pensez-vous? Est-ce que c'est légitime? [18:38] Est-ce que les Québécois doivent se promoncer sur un contrat comme celui-là qui va lier la province à une autre pendant 50 ans? [18:44] Écoutez, je pense que la sécurité énergétique du Québec est primordiale, elle est cruciale. [18:49] On a eu une première entente qui a été convenue en décembre 2024, et je pense que ça a été salué, franchement, salué de la très grande majorité des gens qui ont commenté cette entente. [19:06] Alors, ce serait bien vu que de détailler encore davantage cette entente avec le gouvernement de Terre-Neuve. [19:12] Hey Doug, you mentioned that all options are on the table regarding leverage with the U.S. [19:20] Does that include Ontario cutting off electricity exports to the U.S. [19:25] or bringing back a surcharge for electricity exports? [19:28] Everything's on the table. [19:30] Can you maybe elaborate on that? [19:33] What would it take for you to do that? [19:36] I know you said you don't speak for other premiers, but you've mentioned oil and potash. [19:41] Are you hoping that the federal government leads a coordinated approach where every province puts something on the table to leverage against the U.S.? [19:50] Well, that can only be done if the rest of the province is a Team Canada approach, and we're going to take the Prime Minister's lead, so I look forward to hearing what he has to say. [20:01] I think this is a really good point that the last two questions have highlighted, and one that New Brunswick would like to emphasize, [20:07] because there is lots of opportunity for Canada when we work together. [20:11] And New Brunswick sees that as the maritime hub, the energy hub that is connected to Quebec, to PEI, to Nova Scotia, and to the U.S. through transmission lines, [20:22] who has the capacity through our nuclear leadership, through our hydroelectricity, to support our neighbors and to build partnerships like you just described, [20:32] like we've seen between Newfoundland and Quebec, to work together to look at our generation assets, to look at our transmission assets, [20:39] and deliver affordable, reliable, secure energy, not only to islanders who want it when it gets really cold and need to know that those subsea cables are there, [20:50] and their partners in New Brunswick have their backs, but in the interest of Canada, as we're connected to the U.S., [20:56] and we can leverage our assets for Canada's benefit and our position in the world. [21:02] And so, for us in New Brunswick, we want to see all of those connections, all of those regional partnerships, [21:07] that take our assets and energy and offer them up to strengthen Canada's economy. [21:12] And then we can use that economic strength to make the kind of generational investments in healthcare that our government has been doing, [21:19] and that we need to see the federal government backing up, because our healthcare needs have been growing at a rate faster than our economy has been growing. [21:26] We want to make sure that people can have access to the kind of healthcare that they deserve close to home. [21:32] We need a growing economy to do that, which means we need energy security and the kind of assets that New Brunswick has backed up by our neighbours and friends at all. [21:41] So, for us, it's really important to do a work of partnership between the provinces, [21:45] between Quebec, the Île-du-Prince-Édouard, the Nouvelle-Écosse, and for us, also the États-Unis, to use our forces. [21:51] We are leaders in nuclear energy. We are leaders in hydroelectric energy, too. [21:56] And we also have the biggest biomass project, a conversion of carbon to biomass, that there is in the North America. [22:03] And if we share these forces with our neighbours for energy security around Canada, we can use all our forces for better countries, [22:15] stronger when we do negotiations with the États-Unis, and more capable of delivering the health services that everyone wants. [22:22] I'd like to weigh in on this one as well. We heard the news this week from the Americans about a direct attack again on forestry families in British Columbia, [22:34] those that work with wood to make furniture, for example, to add value to our wood products. [22:38] It's just inexplicable to me because we had the American Ambassador hold a mining roundtable, meeting with mining companies, [22:46] looking at opportunities to invest in mines in Canada to secure the metals and minerals that the United States needs. [22:54] It can't be that that is simultaneously the position of the U.S. and that Canada agrees with that. [23:01] We can't have a country on one hand attacking one group of families and workers while hoping to have access to the resources in Canada [23:08] that the rest of the world wants. The United States needs to make up its mind. [23:12] And I will say, frankly, from British Columbia's perspective, that we support the Prime Minister making that case at the table. [23:21] If you want a strong partner, if you want the friendship that's benefited North Americans for generations, then let's have that. [23:28] And if you don't want that, we need to be looking to the rest of the world. [23:31] The agreement we signed on alcohol to support our alcohol producers to have access to the full Canadian market [23:37] and the work that we're doing on trade diversification needs to accelerate. [23:42] And we need to be frank with the Americans that they will not get the kind of access that they seek to what's in Canada [23:49] if this is how the conduct's going to go. If the Prime Minister calls British Columbia and says he needs support [23:54] with some big sticks to have conversations at the table, then we'll be there. [23:58] And I am happy to stand with the Prime Minister in that kind of discussion because this is just silly. [24:04] And at the end of the day, the United States needs to decide what they want. [24:07] Do they want a strong partner in Canada where we work together? [24:10] Or are they keen to go it alone? [24:13] But there's not this middle road where you attack British Columbians on one hand and the other hand [24:17] you're digging up our metals and minerals and bringing them south of the border. [24:19] This is to Premier Lance and perhaps anybody else who wants to take the question. [24:25] There are close to 6 million Canadians without a family doctor. [24:28] You're asking for renewal of the 5% increases. [24:31] I'm just wondering if you can point to any tangible improvements in primary care access to Canadians [24:36] that have resulted from the increases in funding so far. [24:38] We certainly had a robust discussion about health care in this country [24:44] and the need for the federal government to come to the table as a strong, stable, reliable partner [24:49] and that's able to fund universal health care, universal access to health care across this entire country. [24:58] And that's the bedrock principle. [25:00] And us being the jurisdiction that's responsible for delivering that is difficult [25:07] if we don't have the resources to fund a universally accessible system. [25:14] Now, we know there's challenges. [25:16] We had a robust discussion today about the role that we expect the federal government to play. [25:22] We started off our day with the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions, [25:26] an excellent presentation about the role of health care in the Canadian economy, [25:31] the role it plays in not only in bolstering the health of the entire nation [25:37] but the role it plays in the economy. [25:39] It is fundamental to who we are as Canadians and we have many challenges that need to be addressed, [25:45] not least of all here in Prince Edward Island, access to primary care. [25:49] We've got a shortage of, I believe, about 23,000 family physicians in this country [25:54] so we've got to concentrate on workforce recruitment and retention here in Prince Edward Island [26:01] just as every other province is trying to do. [26:04] We need, we're working on regional collaboration here in the Maritime Provinces, [26:10] in our health care services that we deliver. [26:12] We can't afford to offer every sub-specialty of health care services here in a small jurisdiction [26:18] but we can cooperate and we're making progress on cooperation in the region. [26:22] So I can point to all kinds of things, all kinds of measures that we're taking to improve access to primary care [26:29] but that can only be done with a strong, stable partner in the federal government [26:33] and we have a robust conversation about that today and different options that we'll present to the Prime Minister tomorrow. [26:38] But it's going to be an ongoing conversation. We need a long-term commitment. [26:42] You know, there are federal agreements with all of the provinces which will expire in about, what is it, 18 months or less. [26:56] And, you know, many of our provinces are looking at a fiscal cliff in terms of funding our health care system. [27:04] So, look forward to that conversation tomorrow with the Prime Minister. [27:08] I might just add, the two measures we look at are the number of patients [27:13] who are attached to a family doctor and then we look at the number of doctors and nurse practitioners [27:18] who are accepting new patients and we've seen great progress on both of those. [27:22] So, 87% of our patients are now attached to a family doctor. [27:26] We'd like it to be 100%. [27:28] But we also signed a deal with nurse practitioners so they can open their own practices, [27:32] take on a panel of 900 patients and bill us directly. [27:35] We have 100 nurse practitioners doing that in our province [27:38] and we developed a similar approach with family doctors. [27:41] So, family doctors also take on a panel. [27:44] And so now, just last I checked, we have over a thousand doctors or nurse practitioners taking on new patients. [27:50] And so, I'm happy to share that learning with other Premiers, [27:54] but it does seem that team-based practice and the certainty of a panel arrangement [27:59] has been one of the keys to successes in Alberta. [28:02] I'd like to chime in as well. [28:08] When we took office in 2023, Manitoba was in 10th place amongst the provinces [28:15] when it came to having access to a family doctor. [28:18] And today, we're number one. [28:21] And we've added about 300 physicians over not quite three years. [28:26] And primary care includes a lot more than just the doctors. [28:31] There's more doctors practicing in Manitoba today than there ever have been before. [28:35] But you've also got the nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers. [28:38] You've got the OTs, PTs, so many people who can make up a primary care to you. [28:42] And having a consistent approach of investing, trying innovative new approaches, [28:48] working with the service delivery organizations so that there's work-life balance. [28:54] That's great. [28:55] But as we think about what is happening between our country [28:59] and the threat of the Trump tariffs, [29:02] to me, there can be no bigger nation-building project [29:06] than building up this nation's people. [29:08] And that has to include healthcare, universal public access to healthcare. [29:12] And so, for the federal government to see this as an investment, [29:15] I think is a very, very important part of a comprehensive strategy [29:19] to make our country strong and independent. [29:22] And to ensure that, frankly, there's a good working relationship [29:25] between us as the provinces and the federal government. [29:28] But at the end of the day, this is not just about figures [29:32] and percentages of funding arrangements and transfers. [29:35] This is about people. [29:36] And if we want to get misty-eyed and emotional about this country that we love so much, [29:42] let's think about the seniors who built this country. [29:44] It's their turn to be able to access healthcare. [29:48] And we have to make sure that it's there for them, including family doctors, [29:51] but also including every aspect of healthcare. [29:54] So, I think we had a very strong discussion. [29:57] And Team Canada is not just united against threats to our economy outside of our borders. [30:02] I'm very happy that this team is united about taking care of people inside our borders as well, too. [30:08] Thank you. And if I could, too, this is a really important question. [30:12] So, I appreciate the question. [30:15] Healthy people drive healthy economies. [30:17] So, it's really important that we invest in healthcare. [30:20] It's really important that we have a partner in the federal government who continues to do their part. [30:24] So, we're looking forward to, you know, some discussions with the Prime Minister and his team [30:29] about the continuation of the investments from the federal government. [30:33] But, they have willing practice here in the Premiers. [30:36] And certainly in Nova Scotia, we're doing our parts. [30:38] There's more doctors in Nova Scotia today than there has ever been. [30:42] There are more nurses today. [30:44] There are more access points. [30:46] And the stat we look at quite often is the unattached, the need of family practice. [30:51] Supposed to be called that in Nova Scotia. [30:53] At one point, that was up to 15% of the population. [30:58] 15% of the population nationally would still be pretty well respected, I think, amongst the province and territories. [31:05] Today, it's under six. [31:06] So, I have a little dispute as to who's number one on that. [31:12] But it would be, we have the same, we have the same goals on that. [31:16] And we'll continue to do that. [31:17] And we've done that with, you know, opening up access points. [31:19] We open up a new medical school in Nova Scotia. [31:22] That's a really, really important thing for Nova Scotians. [31:25] And I'm really proud of the process that the team put in place for credentialing foreign trained physicians. [31:32] In 12 weeks or less, you can come to Nova Scotia and have your clinical evaluation. [31:36] And if you meet the standards, you can be licensed. [31:38] And if you don't, then you won't. [31:39] But we can't jeopardize the standard of care. [31:41] But the point of it all is that delivering these services for Nova Scotians and for Canadians, it costs money. [31:48] And we need a partner in the federal government who's there and recognizes that and does their part. [31:53] Because as I started, healthy people drive healthy economies. [31:57] So, thank you. [31:58] Thank you for the question. [32:00] If I could add a little few comments to, I spent most of my career in healthcare. [32:07] And to the premier from Manitoba's comments about staffing, 80% of the cost of our healthcare system is usually around people. [32:20] Between salaries and benefits. [32:22] And when you think about healthcare and you break it down and break it down from the equipment to the buildings, it's really about people helping people. [32:30] And that's exactly what Canada has been about. [32:33] And that's what we're about. [32:34] Trying to make it easier for the people of Canada to access healthcare. [32:38] But in order for that to happen, we have to make sure we support our healthcare workers. [32:42] We've got to make sure that we are continuously looking at models of care. [32:47] And whether we have the right staffing ratios. [32:50] The right people doing the right job. [32:52] And making sure health professionals are maxing out to their skill sets. [32:56] And that's something we're all focused on here at this table. [32:59] And that's what will help improve our healthcare access. [33:03] We've taken steps in Newfoundland and Labrador. [33:06] We have a huge geography with a small population. [33:09] But right now in our last budget, we know we can't have a tertiary care center in every corner of our province. [33:15] But if you have to travel for healthcare in our province, outside of your region, [33:20] to see a specialist or to go to a tertiary care center, we're going to cover your transportation costs 100%. [33:26] We're increasing the number of SCADAVAC flights out of our northern communities. [33:31] So indigenous people and populations can have the same access to timely access to appointments. [33:36] And won't miss appointments or special appointments. [33:39] Because the flight isn't there to take them out. [33:41] So we're taking steps directly on improving that. [33:44] We're also looking at a new model when it comes to nursing delivery. [33:47] We've all had the experience of travel nurses. [33:49] And the significant costs to our systems of using that model. [33:53] We're working with our nursing unions about how we change all of that. [33:57] And like Alberta, we're also reaching out to make sure that nurse practitioners and others are part of that solution. [34:02] So there's lots of work being done in all of our provinces. [34:05] And we need our federal government as part of that. [34:08] So that all of us together can improve that healthcare access for everybody. [34:13] Thanks so much. [34:14] I just wanted to jump in on the topic of healthcare. [34:21] Coming from Nunavut we have the highest per capita spend on healthcare. [34:26] We have some of the most challenging outcomes. [34:29] And as was mentioned earlier, it is all about people at the end of the day. [34:34] It's about our children. [34:36] It's about elders. [34:38] It's about families. [34:39] And from Nunavut's perspective, we're so thankful to all the incredible partners who help us take care of Nunavut residents. [34:50] And I'd like to thank the Northwest Territories, thank Alberta, thank Manitoba, as well as Ontario, [34:57] who receive many of our patients who are accessing specialized care. [35:02] We have a situation in Nunavut where we need more care closer to home. [35:10] One of the biggest inputs to the healthcare system in Nunavut isn't necessarily pharmaceuticals. [35:17] It's jet fuel. [35:18] We are spending tens of millions of dollars each year to send patients halfway across the country in some cases [35:27] to access specialized care. [35:29] So we want to change that. [35:32] We want to build care closer to home and we need a strong partnership from the federal government [35:37] that recognizes our increased spend. [35:40] And so that's a message that I'll be sharing with the Prime Minister at the first opportunity. [35:47] Bill McGuire with the Island Farmer. [35:55] I'm going to sneak in a quick question to Premier Lance. [35:59] Yesterday we saw some general strokes from President Trump on the new tariff items he's going to be targeting in 20-some days or whatever. [36:11] There was fish, there was other energy and so on. [36:14] For PEI the key question is potatoes, table potatoes, french fry potatoes. [36:23] It has enormous impact on Alberta as well, Manitoba, New Brunswick. [36:28] It means a lot of provinces are heavily involved. [36:31] Do you know if indeed potatoes are exempt? [36:36] And if they are not exempt, what message are you going to say to, say, island producers on what might happen, say, in 28 days or so? [36:49] And if the answer is that you know they are exempt, well, I guess the Premier is welcome to PEI and have a good vacation. [36:59] Thanks, Bill. [37:01] And we've done some preliminary analysis and it looks like there's about $10 million worth of exports to the U.S. [37:09] that would be exposed to these new tariffs. [37:11] No indication that potatoes are involved in that. [37:16] There would be a small segment of agricultural products. [37:21] I think I can't be specific about right now, but about $2.5 million in agricultural products that might be exposed. [37:30] So thankful for PEI that potatoes don't seem to be implicated in these new tariffs. [37:36] But look, I know that my fellow Premiers here are probably far more exposed in other ways than we are. [37:47] We've been very fortunate here in Prince Edward Island to this date to have had little exposure to some of these tariff measures, [37:54] unlike some of my colleagues here. [37:58] So we're thankful for that. [37:59] We'll get more details to the agricultural community here in Prince Edward Island as we can, [38:06] but initial analysis is that primarily potato industries except. [38:13] Hi, Kat Tunney from CBC. [38:15] I'll direct my question at Premier Smith, I guess, but happy to hear from anyone. [38:18] Just wanting to cast a head to tomorrow when you'll hear more from the Prime Minister face-to-face. [38:24] What assurances are you looking for about his strategy over the next 28 days? [38:30] Well, I can tell you, much like Premier Lance, I think Alberta has not been as exposed to some of the tariffs. [38:38] Ninety-seven percent of our goods cross the border tariff-free. [38:42] And even with this latest run, it's about one percent of our overall product that is going to be impacted. [38:48] And so our approach has been one to say that tariffs don't help anyone. [38:53] Tariffs are Canadian consumers. [38:55] They're American consumers, whether we apply them or they apply them. [38:58] And although we're at 97 percent tariff-free, we'd like it to be 100 percent. [39:02] And we'd like every other province to be at 100 percent tariff-free as well. [39:06] So I think this is a window this month that we have, or 28 days, to sharpen the pencils and sharpen the focus. [39:15] And I hope that we can get all of the outstanding issues on the table, whether it's autos or steel, softwood, aluminum, [39:22] and some of the new issues that have been put on the table, so that we can get to a comprehensive agreement. [39:28] I remain as bullish and maybe hopefully more optimistic as Premier Moe that we can actually get a deal before the month is up. [39:38] I hope it doesn't drag on into 2027. [39:41] But I think that the Prime Minister has heard from us that we want to make sure that we get a good deal that is comprehensive [39:47] and covers all of those outstanding issues. [39:49] And I hope that that's what he's working towards. [39:55] That's all the time we have today. [39:57] Thank you very much. [39:58] C'est tout le temps dont nous disposons d'aujourd'hui. [40:02] Thank you for joining us. [40:03] Merci de vous être joints à nous.