After joining his fellow first ministers for a private “gala” at Prince Edward Island’s Dalvay-by-the-Sea resort last night, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to host a more formal meeting with provincial and territorial premiers in Charlottetown this morning, where he’s expected to provide a more detailed high-level briefing on exactly how his government intends to respond to the latest tariff-centred threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who recently signed off on a fresh round of executive orders that would impose a new 50 per cent levy on a sweeping array of Canadian exports. (11 a.m. AT)

“The U.S. says the tariffs, to be applied Aug. 19, are in response to provincial bans on U.S. liquor, Canada’s supply-managed dairy system and quotas on certain U.S. vehicles,” Canadian Press notes.

Speaking with reporters after wrapping up their annual summer meeting, the premiers made it clear that, while “they’re behind the federal government say they’re behind the federal government as it tries to talk down (Trump) from his escalated trade war … not everyone at the table is feeling confident that will happen soon,” CBC News reports.

“Despite coming into the meetings from different political stripes and views, the premiers were unanimous that they are united against this new hit from the White House and want the existing tariffs dropped,” with Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew pointing out that ‘nothing unites like a common opponent and there’s no more popular opponent in Canada right now than Donald Trump.’

Even so, “one of the pressure points emerging from the Charlottetown gathering is whether Canada should withhold energy exports to the U.S. as a leverage point,” with Ontario Premier Doug Ford publicly calling on Canada to put “everything on the table,” including, potentially, key exports, including oil, potash and critical minerals.

In an interview with CBC News, Ford argued that Canada “is an energy powerhouse and we could dismantle the U.S. if we wanted to,” although he made it clear “he’s only speaking for Ontario,” the broadcaster notes.

“They need to feel the pain rather than us constantly feeling the pain,” Ford added.

“But other premiers didn’t go as far as Ford — or rejected the idea altogether,” as a separate CBC News report reveals.

“New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt said leveraging energy is something premiers have talked about, suggesting it’s one of several tools Canada could use ‘should we need them.’ Alberta’s Danielle Smith said point blank that withholding energy is ‘not going to happen.’ Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe also flatly rejected the idea of using potash and energy as a leverage point and Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette said she’s ‘not there.’”

In addition to the cross-border trade standoff, the premiers “will also come to the table with their own requests for Ottawa to increase federal health care funding and accelerate approval for major projects,” as per CP.

According to his office, Carney will make himself available to reporters after the meeting wraps up this afternoon, although as yet, there’s no clear indication whether some or all of the premiers will join him. (3:30 p.m. AT)

Also out and about today:

• Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Rebecca Alty, Northern Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand and former New Democrat turned Liberal MP Lori Idlout team up with Nunavut ministers George Hickes and Cecile Lyall, Nunavut Tunngavik vice-president Paul Irngaut and Iqaluit Mayor Solomon Awa to share the details of a new housing and infrastructure deal during a morning visit to the Iqaluit Aqautic Centre. (9:30 a.m.)
• Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon, whose portfolio also includes FedDev Ontario, heads to Kitchener with a fresh tranche of federal support that, according to the advisory, will “help strengthen businesses and innovation in the Waterloo and Brant Regions,” with local Liberal MPs Bardish Chagger and Tim Louis also expected to be in attendance at the mid-morning media availability. (10 a.m.)
• Rounding out the roster, Secretary of State (Rural Development) Buckley Belanger drops by a Saskatoon child care centre to “highlight” the most recent boost to the Canada Child Benefit, which, as per the notice, is “lowering costs for families across Canada.” (10:15 a.m. CT)

ON AND AROUND THE HILL

The Canadian Mental Health Association hosts a virtual briefing session on the “future of Canada’s bilateral health agreements” — and, more specifically, the “major federal investment in mental health and substance abuse health services” that, according to the notice, “is se to expire next spring,” which could put “critical programs across Canada at risk if funding isn’t renewed in this fall’s federal budget.” (1 p.m.)

IN THE CHAMBER

Both the House of Commons and the Senate have shut down for the summer, with regular parliamentary proceedings set to resume in September.

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