Early in 2025, when former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods, the country’s premiers stepped into the breach. They travelled to Washington, appeared in American media and launched their own retaliatory measures, drawing both praise and criticism. Their collective action showed that the provinces can carry national weight and act as a force to be reckoned with. Now, with the latest round of U.S. talks terminated and new tariffs imposed, the argument is growing that premiers must be invited to the negotiating table from the outset, not merely consulted at the end.
Premiers’ Response to Trump’s Tariffs
The premiers’ involvement in the initial Trump tariff crisis was more than symbolic. Provincial governments introduced measures such as the Buy Ontario Act, which prioritises Canadian‑made goods and services in public procurement. Provincial liquor monopolies, meanwhile, demonstrated their leverage as foreign‑policy tools; their purchasing power was so significant that Prime Minister Mark Carney reportedly asked premiers last week to consider withdrawing alcohol bans as a bargaining chip in talks with the United States.
These actions underscored a simple point made by Mark Lawson: *“Provinces have arrived at the moment where their weight is felt at the negotiating table. Now, they deserve a place at that table.”* The sentiment reflects a growing consensus that the provinces’ economic stakes give them a legitimate voice in shaping trade policy.
Why a Formal First Ministers’ Forum Is Needed
Although the Council of the Federation provides an annual meeting of premiers, Canada lacks a standing forum where all first ministers – including the prime minister – can discuss and decide national issues as a team. First ministers’ meetings currently occur only on an ad hoc basis, having evolved from in‑person, multi‑day gatherings convened by train or steamship to virtual check‑ins driven by the speed of modern crises.
The current U.S. trade impasse highlights the gap. Questions such as when oil exports should become a negotiating lever, how to shield the auto sector from steep tariff increases, and what role critical minerals could play in a new deal require sustained, coordinated input from all thirteen premiers and the prime minister. As Lawson argues, *“Rather than approaching premiers at the end of trade negotiations, it’s time for the federal government to start bringing them in at the beginning.”* Establishing a regular, agenda‑driven first ministers’ forum would provide the structure needed to address these strategic matters collectively.
Using Provincial Levers in Future Deals
Looking ahead, the premiers’ toolkit could be woven directly into forthcoming trade agreements. Mark Carney has signalled that Canada will soon enter “intense discussions” with the European Union, aiming to build a *“much stronger and deeper economic and security partnership.”* If provinces are seated at the table from the start, their Buy Canadian‑style legislation could be mirrored in EU‑Canada frameworks, giving domestic producers preferential access.
Provincial liquor boards could offer shelf space for European spirits in exchange for concessions that support Canadian distillers. Licensing standards could be adjusted to encourage labour mobility, a feature that would make new pacts more attractive to partners seeking skilled workers. By embedding these provincial mechanisms into the negotiating text, Canada would produce agreements that reflect the diverse economic realities of its regions rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all Ottawa approach.
Building a Coordinated Trade Strategy
A formalised first ministers’ forum would also allow Canada to develop a broader economic strategy that aligns trade policy with domestic priorities. The forum could set a clear cadence, define measurable goals and ensure that decisions are taken with the full input of provincial leaders who understand local industries, supply chains and labour markets.
Such a body would not add volatility; rather, it would enhance certainty in future negotiations. Premiers are constitutionally equal partners in Confederation, and treating them as subordinate has historically led to diplomatic missteps. As Lawson notes, *“If relations with the United States merit a return to the negotiating table, the Prime Minister will undoubtedly have the support of premiers, as he has this week following the termination of the latest round of negotiations.”* Their backing would strengthen the prime minister’s hand and provide a unified Canadian front.
Why it Matters
Granting premiers a permanent seat at the trade negotiating table would transform Canada’s approach to international agreements from a reactive, Ottawa‑centric process to a proactive, nation‑wide endeavour. It would ensure that the unique strengths and vulnerabilities of each province are reflected in the deals that shape jobs, industries and communities across the country. In an era of shifting alliances and protectionist pressures, a coordinated first ministers’ forum offers the best chance to secure advantageous terms while preserving the constitutional balance that defines Canadian federation.
