Prime Minister Carney tells the first ministers that Canada is looking for ‘greatest possible’ access to U.S. market.

Prime Minister Carney briefed all 13 provincial and territorial premiers on the state of Canada-U.S. trade talks.

Some details are starting to spill out:

• Prime Minister Mark Carney has asked the provinces to return American alcohol to store shelves, and to not specifically exclude the U.S. from their procurement policies, according to Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston.
• A source with knowledge of the forthcoming agreement told the CBC that U.S. tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum are being lowered from 50% to 25%, and that Canadian officials are aiming to complete the deal by Friday.
• Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette told reporters “I don’t have sufficient information in order to decide if it’s a good agreement or not.”
• Premiers were asked not to exclude U.S. from procurement policies

My statement on Canada US negotiations.

— David Eby (@davidebybc.bsky.social) 2026-08-20T00:05:31.435Z