Carney to talk major projects with Coastal First Nations before heading to Beijing

What’s happening on (and off) Parliament Hill, plus the news you need to start your day.

A little over a week after his office confirmed that he would be heading to China for three days of high-level talks aimed at bringing an end to a prolonged two-year trade dispute, Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to begin the 13-hour flight to Beijing later this afternoon.

Before leaving Canadian soil, however, he’s set to spend a few hours on the ground in British Columbia, where he’s booked in for what could turn out to be a high-stakes meeting with Coastal First Nations leaders, which is expected to focus on his government’s “major projects agenda” — and, more specifically, “how Indigenous communities can be included in the push to strengthen the Canadian economy in response to economic threats from the United States,” Canadian Press reports.

“Carney is travelling to Prince Rupert, B.C. for the meeting, along with Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, whose relationship with Coastal First Nations got off to a rocky start,” the wire service notes.

“Hodgson did not meet with the alliance of nine First Nations before Carney signed an agreement with Alberta that opens the door to a pipeline to B.C.’s coast. He was forced to apologize after quipping in a television interview that he could have met alliance members via Zoom.”

As per his itinerary, Carney will also visit a “local business” before it’s wheels up for Beijing.

While he won’t be on the flight, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is also en route to China, according to his office, and will be joining Carney in his bid to “advance interests that are important to Canadians,” as per a statement from his office yesterday.

During a briefing for reporters yesterday, government officials downplayed the possibility that the high-level in-person talks Carney is expected to have with his Chinese counterpart will bring an end to the ongoing two-year trade standoff between Canada and China, the Toronto Star reports.

“Canadian negotiators are in ‘active discussions’ with China about lowering or dropping tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles in exchange for easing punitive Chinese counter-tariffs on Canadian canola and seafood, but government officials declined to say how it might affect Canada’s trade tensions with a U.S. administration that is hawkish on blocking China’s EVs from North America,” the paper notes.

“A senior Canadian official, among several who briefed reporters on condition they not be identified in order to discuss the government’s position ahead of Carney’s departure, said there has been a ‘concerted effort to address trade irritants systematically with the objective of making progress over time.’”

Also on the radar:

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree joins his Ontario counterpart, Michael Kerzner, as well as Secretary of State for Combatting Crime Ruby Sahota and other “provincial and municipal leaders and law enforcement officials” for a day-long summit in Brampton, Ont., that, as per the advisory, will “address the growing threat of extortion targeting individuals and businesses.” (9 a.m.)
Meanwhile, Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon clocks in another day on the hustings in the Greater Toronto Area, where, according to his office, he’ll team up with fellow GTA Liberal Maggie Chi to unveil new federal support to “strengthen advanced industries in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.” (9:45 a.m.)
Elsewhere in the province, Jobs and Families Minister Patty Hajdu will share the details of fresh funding to boost “Indigenous participation in critical minerals development” during a morning announcement on her political home turf in Thunder Bay. (9:30 a.m.)
Rounding out the roster, Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon will “highlight federal priorities aimed at strengthening Canada’s transportation system, reinforcing supply chains and supporting the country’s economic growth” during a midday speech to members of the Saint John Region Chamber of Commerce, with local Liberal MP Wayne Long, who also serves as Secretary of State for the Canada Revenue Agency, also expected to make an appearance. (11:30 a.m. AT)