Carney to Meet First Nations Leaders and Premiers at Historic Ottawa Summit

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to meet First Nations and Indigenous leaders, alongside provincial and territorial premiers, at a high-stakes summit in Ottawa described as the first meeting of its kind in two decades. The talks are expected to focus on relations between First Nations, the federal government and provincial and territorial administrations, with Indigenous leaders calling for concrete outcomes and continued engagement beyond the summit.

Indigenous Leaders Seek Tangible Results

Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak said many chiefs view the meeting as an opportunity to establish a new path forward. Although the discussions are expected to take place behind closed doors, Carney is scheduled to speak with reporters later in the day. Attendance among provincial and territorial leaders remains uncertain. Reports indicate that the premiers of Quebec, Alberta and British Columbia are expected to be absent.

Parliamentary Business Continues

Meanwhile, members of Parliament are expected to continue debating a proposal to convert the Defence Investment Agency into a Crown corporation. The House of Commons is also scheduled to consider a non-binding motion from Bloc Québécois MP Martin Champoux urging the government to recognise the importance of culture to Quebec’s identity and uphold decisions concerning streaming-service levies and funding for the cultural sector. Separately, parliamentary and Senate committees are set to hear from labour unions, Indigenous organisations, industry representatives and environmental groups on proposed changes to project assessments and federal labour legislation. Other scheduled activities include calls for changes to the classification of wildland firefighters and proposed mortgage policy reforms aimed at improving affordability for first-time homebuyers.

Other Government Engagements

Carney is also expected to host a dinner honouring Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during his visit to Ottawa. Meanwhile, Secretary of State for Nature Nathalie Provost is attending the 17th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in Armenia, where she is scheduled to participate in a panel on innovative nature financing.