And that’s a wrap, leaders head home

Posted: July 25, 2025

(July 24, 2025) By: News Staff, Huntsville Doppler Online

Three days of meetings in Huntsville, hosted by Ontario Premier Doug Ford for the Council of the Federation summit, concluded yesterday. Here’s what we know.

Key Outcomes & Discussions

• Emergency Management & Wildfires: Premiers discussed strengthening coordination and response mechanisms for emergencies and wildfires.
• National Projects & Security: Talks centered on advancing infrastructure and energy projects deemed of national interest to “build a stronger and more secure Canada.”
• U.S. Relations & International Trade: Routed through a backdrop of global volatility, premiers emphasized collective strategies to enhance Canada’s trade position and address risks, notably from U.S. policies.
• Labour Mobility, Immigration & Public Safety: Collaborative efforts were made to harmonize labour and immigration frameworks and bolster public safety initiatives across provinces and territories.
• Healthcare: Health care funding and coordination emerged as focal points—especially under pressure from rising private clinic usage in Ontario—sparking calls for stronger public delivery models.

Highlights & Moments

• Prime Minister’s Attendance: PM Mark Carney took part in a first ministers’ meeting alongside the premiers, reinforcing federal–provincial dialogue.
• Change in Leadership: Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz assumed the rotating Chair of the Council at the conclusion of the summit.
• Public Advocacy & Protest: Over 100 healthcare workers and advocates—including the Ontario Health Coalition and nurses’ reps—staged a protest outside Deerhurst on July 22. They decried the perceived shift toward privatized health care and demanded accessible, public, and universally funded services.
• In a significant move to strengthen the domestic economy, several provinces and territories also signed new agreements aimed at breaking down internal trade barriers and boosting interprovincial commerce.

What Comes Next

1. Intergovernmental Coordination: Joint efforts will ramp up to turn summit priorities into action—targeting emergency preparedness, trade strategies, and healthcare reform.
2. Public Pressure on Health Reform: Visible advocacy outside the summit signals sustained momentum for deeper collaboration on healthcare funding models.
3. Leadership Transition: With PEI’s Lantz at the helm, alliances among provinces will be tested through upcoming national negotiations.

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