Calls with Premiers

[ * ] An asterisk appears where sensitive information has been removed in accordance with the Access to Information Act and Privacy Act.

Advice for calls with premiers

In the period immediately following the election, it will be important to establish early contact with premiers. This initial contact will be an opportunity to outline some of your new priorities and reaffirm your commitment to working collaboratively with provinces and territories either during bilateral discussions on specific topics or though a multilateral First Ministers’ call.

Objectives

During this early engagement, we recommend you reaffirm your intention to continue working collaboratively with premiers, focus on your intention to hold a First Ministers’ Meeting in 2020 on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis priorities and commit to having regular engagement on key issues of importance to Canada’s prosperity. [ * ]

You may also wish to reference some of your new priorities which require engagement of provinces and territories early in your mandate and on which there is likely to be a measure of consensus. [ * ]

Key considerations for the call

Early calls will be important to assess federal-provincial-territorial dynamics on key new issues outlined in the Government’s platform, [ * ].

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As was the case during your last mandate, provincial/territorial collaboration will be important in advancing many of your platform commitments, [ * ].

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With respect to other key top-of-mind bilateral issues for provinces and territories, we recommend that for these initial calls, you reaffirm your commitment to continue working together. In addition, additional responsive lines by province and territory have been provided in the next section of this document.

Privy Council Office officials are available to brief you in advance, and to participate in the calls, should you wish.

• Key Contact: Christiane Fox
  Deputy Minister
  Intergovernmental Affairs and Youth
  Calls can be placed through the PMO switchboard.

Key messages

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First Ministers' meetings

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Platform commitments

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Continued collaboration in priority areas

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Conclusion

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Responsive lines for key provincial/territorial issues

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British Columbia

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Alberta

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Saskatchewan

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Manitoba

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Ontario

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Quebec

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New Brunswick

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Prince Edward Island

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Nova Scotia

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Newfoundland and Labrador

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Yukon

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Northwest Territories

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Nunavut

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Provincial/Territorial overviews

British Columbia

Context

British Columbia’s New Democratic Party government took office in July 2017 with the support of the British Columbia Green Party, with which it signed a Confidence and Supply Agreement following the general election that May, in which no party won a majority of seats in the legislature. British Columbia remains in a strong economic and fiscal position, and Premier John Horgan’s government has generally sought to foster constructive relations with the Government of Canada across shared priorities, including infrastructure, housing, and Indigenous reconciliation.  

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Alberta

Context

The United Conservative Party took office in May after winning a majority in the legislature in the April general election. Since then, Premier Jason Kenney’s government has filed constitutional challenges against federal carbon pricing and environmental assessment with the Alberta Court of Appeal, and has fostered a coalition of like-minded governments in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and the Northwest Territories, which are similarly opposed to federal policies. Stabilizing Alberta’s fiscal situation is a priority, following a prolonged period of economic challenges in the oil and gas sector. A Blue Ribbon Panel on Alberta’s Finances chaired by former Saskatchewan finance minister Janice MacKinnon presented its report to the government in August, and will be used to inform the 2019‑20 provincial budget, which will be tabled on October 24.

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Saskatchewan

Context

The Saskatchewan Party government was elected to a third consecutive term in office in April 2016. Premier Scott Moe will lead the party in the next provincial general election on October 26, 2020. Following several years of challenges, particularly in the oil and gas sector, but also on account of price declines for potash and uranium, Saskatchewan brought its fiscal position back into surplus in 2019. Saskatchewan has consistently opposed the federal carbon pricing regime, and is appealing the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal’s decision in its reference case, expected to be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada in early 2020.

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Manitoba

Context

Premier Pallister was elected on September 10 and the Legislative Assembly resumed sitting on September 30. On September 18, Premier Pallister unveiled his government’s 100-Day Action Plan, which plans to move Manitoba forward to lower taxes, better services and a stronger economy. He directed his ministers to fulfill this plan by December 20, 2019. The plan is notably aimed at reducing taxes, and makes investments in health care and education. On October 4, 2019, Premier Pallister wrote to all federal party leaders asking for their commitment to federal partnership and action on a range of priorities, including internal trade, health care, climate change and clean energy, infrastructure and reconciliation.

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Ontario

Context

Premier Ford was elected in June 2018 and he continues to prioritize reducing the province’s debt, red-tape reduction to foster investment and create jobs, and growth in its export sector. In the April 11, 2019 Ontario budget, the province outlined planned spending reductions in post-secondary education, child and social services, justice, and Indigenous affairs, reflective of the government’s stated commitment to invest in health care, primary and secondary education, and infrastructure. The province has set out a five-year path to a balanced budget and has required Ontario to prepare an annual debt burden reduction strategy. In addition to calling for a review of the federal transfer system, Premier Ford continues to seek further federal engagement on or shifts in policy position in areas related to the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, climate change, and cannabis supply.

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Quebec

Context

Premier Legault was elected in October 2018. On November 28, 2018, he read the opening address at the National Assembly. Premier Legault stated that the new government he leads promotes inclusive nationalism, with the primary goal of ensuring Quebec’s economic development within Canada, while proudly defending its autonomy, language, values and culture. He stated that Quebec is a master in its own house in its areas of jurisdiction. Premier Legault established the top priorities that will guide the actions of his ministerial team: education, the economy, health, culture and the environment. Quebec’s Finance Minister is expected to table a mini budget on November 7, 2019.

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New Brunswick

Context

Premier Higgs was elected in September 2018 and leads a minority government. He has focused on establishing balanced sustainability for the province’s finances, energizing the private sector, making public health care accessible and dependable; building a world-class education system; and providing sustainable social services. New Brunswick has been a strong proponent of increased internal and international trade and a strong opponent of carbon pollution pricing.

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Prince Edward Island

Context

The minority government of Premier King was elected in April 2019 and is focused on political collaboration and an economic development strategy focused on skills development, entrepreneurship, innovation in farming, fishing, and tourism and investment in strategic regional infrastructure. With the Green Party as the Official Opposition, the environment and climate change are also area of focus.

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Nova Scotia

Context

Premier McNeil was elected in May 2017 and has focused on opportunities to sustain the province’s momentum. Priorities include reducing barriers for entrepreneurs who want to start new businesses; reducing interprovincial trade barriers; and developing Nova Scotia’s role to drive inclusive economic growth and strategic economic infrastructure. A key priority of Premier McNeil is to ensure Atlantic Canada becomes more globally connected. Towards that end, he has been pursuing a direct air route from China to Halifax. Nova Scotia has also shown leadership on the internal trade file, consistently challenging provinces and territories to accelerate progress.

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Newfoundland and Labrador

Context

Premier Ball was elected in May 2019 and has emphasized the importance of collaboration, given the province’s minority government, and a commitment to return to surplus through sound fiscal management. Broad priorities – identified as “fundamental areas where every member of this House of Assembly can work together” – include job creation, education, the development of resources in an environmentally sustainable manner, better access to health care, and action to empower women and girls.

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Yukon

Context

Premier Silver may raise the priorities identified by Northern premiers in their open letter to federal party leaders and seek your commitment to collaborate with his government in these areas, including strengthening Canada’s position in the Arctic; reconciliation; climate change and the environment; economic development, infrastructure and energy security; and, Northern voices and needs. Yukon’s population has grown faster than any other Canadian jurisdiction over the past decade. The territory’s labour market is among the strongest in Canada and is experiencing record low unemployment rates, combined with a lack of skilled labour. The Eagle Gold Mine is the first of several expected to go into production in the coming years, fuelling Yukon’s forecasted economic growth.

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Northwest Territories

Context

Premier McLeod, who served in the role since 2011, did not seek re-election in the Northwest Territories general election on October 1, 2019. Electoral outcomes were marked by a high rate of turnover of Members of the Legislative Assembly and a historic representation of women elected to the Northwest Territories’ 19th Assembly. Many Northwest Territories candidates have framed the election as a referendum on the future of territory with key campaign issues including infrastructure and housing needs; governance; costs of living; economic revitalization and diversification; education and employment opportunities; and enhanced services. Under the Northwest Territories’ consensus system, Members of the Legislative Assembly will elect an incoming Premier and cabinet and a vote will be held on October 24. Advice outlined below is contingent on the incoming government’s mandate.

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Nunavut

Context

Premier Savikataaq may raise the priorities identified by Northern premiers in their open letter to federal party leaders and seek your commitment to collaborate with his government in these areas, including strengthening Canada’s position in the Arctic; reconciliation; climate change and the environment; economic development, infrastructure and energy security; and, Northern voices and needs. The Premier has prioritized expanded in-territory supports for mental health and elder care, and has called for major investments in infrastructure and housing as part of his government’s focus on achieving a higher standard of living for Nunavummiut.

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