Transcript - Prime Minister Trudeau delivers remarks following the First Ministers’ Meeting
Prime Minister Trudeau delivers remarks following the First Ministers’ Meeting
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for joining us here in Ottawa as we wrap up a very successful First Ministers’ Meeting. The premiers and I spent today talking about our shared commitment to the middle class and how best we can help Canadian workers and families.
I started the day meeting with our partners in the Assembly of First Nations, the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and the Métis National Council.
It was an opportunity to discuss their priorities for enhancing economic and social development. The premiers then joined us, and we talked about the importance of including Indigenous Peoples in discussions about Canada’s overall economic growth. The premiers and I then received current information on economic growth and job creation from the Governor of the Bank of Canada and the Chief Statistician.
This information session was followed by a round table, where we discussed shared economic priorities. Minister Morneau also joined us to explain what we are doing to create a fairer tax system.
With record growth numbers over the past year, it becomes very clear that our plan to grow the economy, create jobs and help the middle class is working.
The premiers and I also discussed Canada-US relations. Minister Freeland and Ambassador MacNaughton talked about the modernization of NAFTA and other trade issues, and reiterated our government’s commitment to getting the best possible deal for Canadians.
We also discussed the impending legalization and regulation of cannabis with Parliamentary Secretary Bill Blair. By July 2018, we’ll have a new system in place – one that will keep cannabis out of the hands of our kids and keep profits away from organized crime. The premiers and I then talked about how all orders of government can work together to implement this change effectively.
As always, it was a great pleasure for me to host the First Ministers Meeting today. This is the fourth time that we have gathered together like this in less than two years, and we always have good conversations. We are committed to holding regular discussions with our provincial and territorial partners and with Indigenous leaders on issues that matter to all Canadians.