Canada Premiers Conclude Meeting on Immigration, Trade, Bail Reform

Canada's premiers concluded a three-day meeting in Huntsville, Ontario, focusing primarily on the impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war and the need for economic growth, immigration policy improvements, and bail reform. Prime Minister Mark Carney participated in the discussions, emphasizing the importance of securing a strong trade deal rather than rushing into one that could harm Canada long-term. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed disappointment that the U.S. will not renegotiate the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement until 2026, while Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced plans for provinces to issue their own work permits to asylum seekers due to long federal processing times. Ford also pushed for comprehensive bail reform, demanding stricter sentencing to prevent repeat offenders from being released on bail. The premiers collectively highlighted sector-specific trade challenges involving autos, steel, aluminum, and timber. The meeting closed with a call for Ottawa to address these pressing immigration and justice issues to support Canada's economic stability and growth.