Yellowknife, NT – Premiers of Canada’s Western provinces and territories met in Yellowknife to discuss shared priorities and collaborative action on evolving international trade and tariffs, economic corridors, energy security and exports, Arctic security and sovereignty, public safety, emergency preparedness and housing. Premiers congratulated the Prime Minister Mark Carney on his election and look forward to working together on priorities important to Western Canadians.
International trade and tariffs
Unjustified and unreasonable tariffs are creating financial uncertainty for workers and businesses in Western Canada, disrupting longstanding trade relationships and supply chains, straining international relations and restricting economic growth in Canada, in the U.S. and around the world.
Western Premiers are committed to Team Canada’s collaborative approach to respond to U.S. tariffs and to support local workers and businesses affected by trade disruptions. They call on the federal government to:
- continue standing up for workers and communities negatively impacted by ongoing trade disputes, including the longstanding U.S. softwood lumber duties, which disproportionately affect Western Canada;
- reassess Canada’s retaliatory tariffs with respect to the realized impacts on Canadians;
- ensure any tariff revenues are urgently directed to impacted businesses and workers;
- continue to work with likeminded partners to expand mutually beneficial trading relationships; and
- continue to work with provinces and territories to diversify export markets and increase internal trade.
Canada is facing a trade war on two fronts. The People’s Republic of China’s “anti-discrimination” tariffs imposed on Canadian canola, pork and seafood products, which have significant impacts on the West.
Premiers call on the federal government to prioritize work towards the removal of Chinese tariffs. Premiers also emphasize the critical importance of regular and ongoing engagement with China to improve the overall trade relationship. While Premiers were pleased to see the Prime Minister’s commitment to assist the seafood sector impacted by Chinese tariffs, they request that similar supports be extended to the canola and pork sectors affected by Chinese measures, as well as the softwood sector impacted by U.S. duties.
Now more than ever, it is important to grow the Canadian economy through supporting the free flow of trade across Canada. The New West Partnership Trade Agreement is an ambitious and broad-based approach to removing trade barriers, addressing labour mobility and enabling mutual recognition. The New West Partnership Premiers invite and strongly encourage provinces and territories to join this agreement as the fastest and most effective way to operationalize internal trade.
Economic corridors, energy security and project approvals
Nation-building infrastructure in Western Canada such as highways, railways, ports, airports, pipelines, nuclear projects and electricity transmission systems, are crucial for driving Canadian productivity growth, energy security and economic competitiveness. Western Premiers are committed to developing economic corridors to facilitate the free flow of trade including access to tidewater.
Western Canada produces some of the most sustainable and ethical energy in the world. As the issue of energy security gains global importance, more must be done to harness Western Canada’s traditional and emerging energy resources to establish Canada as a leading energy superpower. In addition, Western Canadian resources are critical to meeting burgeoning demand for electricity within Canada. This includes developing and transporting oil and gas, liquified natural gas, uranium, electricity and hydroelectricity to Canadian and world markets, as well as in emerging opportunities such as hydrogen, biofuels and small modular nuclear reactors.
Western Canada is well positioned as a secure and reliable supplier of critical minerals. Commitment to strategic infrastructure development such as roads, railways, ports and electrical transmission systems are necessary to access critical mineral deposits that are located in remote areas with limited access. Western Canada’s geography demands the development of transportation and energy infrastructure to access critical mineral deposits, particularly in remote areas with limited access. This development must be done in partnership with Indigenous governments, ensuring economic opportunities are pursued collaboratively and in alignment with Indigenous rights and interests.
Western Premiers are committed to taking action and today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to work together towards the identification, planning and development of enhanced economic corridors in the West. Opportunities would include expanding access to both Asian and European markets. Premiers call for the Prime Minister’s full support for the development of an economic corridor connecting ports on the northwest coast and Hudson’s Bay, ultimately reaching the committed project at Grays Bay. This will build economic security and prosperity for all Canadians.
Premiers expressed a collective commitment to a unified strategy to advance nation-building and other critical infrastructure. Premiers call on the federal government to work with provinces and territories to develop sustainable federal funding programs for strategic, climate-resilient infrastructure and economic corridors – including in northern, rural and remote communities.
Premiers welcomed the Prime Minister’s willingness to significantly transform Canada’s processes for approving major projects, including the federal Impact Assessment Act and those of the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Premiers call on the federal government to immediately begin work with provinces and territories to eliminate duplication and improve efficiency in the spirit of “one project, one review”. It is critical for Canada to get projects built quickly and responsibly. This includes enabling provincial and territorial project review and permitting without overlapping federal processes.
Arctic security and sovereignty
Western Premiers were pleased to hear the Prime Minister’s commitment to the Arctic Security Corridor. A secure Arctic reinforces Canada’s sovereignty. Investment in the North promotes access to its vast natural resources, benefits local economic interests and supports thriving northern communities. Strengthening infrastructure and military presence not only enhances national defence but also improves connectivity across Western Canada, fostering economic development and transportation and energy corridors, lowering costs and raising the standard of living.
Canada must do more than assert its sovereignty – we must make long-term investments that support healthy, resilient northern communities, build employment opportunities, advance Indigenous and economic reconciliation and reinforce our strategic position in the region in partnership with directly impacted northern communities.
Western Premiers commit to continued interprovincial/territorial and federal engagement to support the ongoing work to strengthen Canada’s Arctic security. Premiers call on the federal government to support the development of, and access to, critical infrastructure through defence and civic investments in the region. Premiers continue to call upon the federal government to accelerate progress to reach the NATO defence spending target of two per cent of GDP and to identify opportunities from these investments to assist in achieving important development objectives in the North and across Canada.
Emergency preparedness
Much of western Canada is currently under an extreme fire danger warning, with active fires across several provinces and territories. Catastrophic weather events are intensifying in both frequency and severity and continue to have profound and far-reaching effects on our communities, economies and traditional livelihoods. To reduce their disruptive effects on communities, Western Premiers discussed the importance of a proactive approach to disaster management, focusing on long-term preparedness, climate change adaptation and mitigation and enhancing community resilience through planning, coordination and information sharing during emergencies.
Premiers reaffirmed their commitment to working together, and with the federal government, to support communities, ensuring adequate resources are available to keep people safe and minimize threats to homes and livelihoods. Provinces and territories are working to improve forest landscape resiliency through forest management practices such as fuel mitigation and prescribed or cultural burning and Premiers call for a collaborative approach to take increased action including within national parks.
The Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA) program is a critical pillar in helping affected families and communities recover from disaster and related events and must be reimbursed in a timely manner. Premiers discussed how the new federal DFAA guidelines reduce cost-sharing for large scale disasters and wildfire seasons which will download future cost burden onto provinces and territories. The federal government must implement adequate, predictable and flexible mitigation and adaptation funding programs to assist provinces and territories in building additional protections for citizens and communities, including Indigenous communities both on and off-reserve.
Premiers commend community responses to disasters and highlighted the importance of strong supports for search and rescue organizations – including efforts of the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian Rangers, local communities, Indigenous guardians, non-government organizations and volunteers.
Housing
Amid a global affordability crisis, Canadians of all income levels are struggling with the cost and availability of housing that meets their diverse needs. Western Premiers continue to take action to address housing needs across the housing continuum – from homelessness to homeownership – and exchanged information about innovations and investments that have shown early signs of success. Premiers agree that investments in services and supports for those experiencing homelessness provide vital pathways to housing and help reduce costs in health care, emergency services and public safety, while investments in affordable homeownership and rental housing boost upward mobility and affordability.
Premiers called for the federal government to begin discussions to refresh the National Housing Strategy framework to ensure the long-term stability of critical housing programs, warning that without sustained federal commitment and funding, support for Indigenous peoples, seniors and vulnerable populations will be at risk. Premiers call on the federal government to work closely with provinces and territories to meet local housing priorities. This should include more funding for social housing and training opportunities for new builds including modular and other homes.
Premiers expressed disappointment in the lack of improvement in Indigenous housing conditions and significant delays in disbursing federal funding. Investments in housing are key to supporting reconciliation and Premiers called on the federal government to accelerate investment for Indigenous housing in urban, rural and northern areas, both on and off-reserve.
Public safety
Premiers discussed the importance of addressing drug trafficking, particularly related to fentanyl and methamphetamines, and bail reform to better support public safety and public confidence in the justice system. Ending the scourge of toxic drugs is a multifaceted and complex issue with serious impacts to communities, families and individuals. The federal government must ensure the criminal justice system is more responsive in addressing community concerns and ensuring public safety.
Artificial intelligence
Premiers discussed the potential use of artificial intelligence for government operations and will direct their ministers to share their findings.
Alberta to host next year’s Western Premiers’ Conference
Alberta was confirmed as host for the next meeting of Western Premiers in 2026.
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
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