Prime Minister Mark Carney met virtually with provincial and territorial premiers on June 10, 2026, to advance shared work on building a stronger Canadian economy. The meeting focused on trade discussions with U.S. counterparts and the implementation of Canada's new National Electricity Strategy to ensure access to affordable, reliable, clean power.

Trade and Economic Resilience

Prime Minister Carney updated the premiers on ongoing trade talks with U.S. counterparts, underscoring the government's commitment to protecting Canadian workers and businesses. He reaffirmed the importance of a united Team Canada approach to provide certainty to investors. The Prime Minister commended the premiers on their trade missions to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, highlighting these efforts as a Team Canada initiative in action.

National Electricity Strategy

A key focus of the discussion was the National Electricity Strategy, which aims to double Canada's electricity grid by 2050. Prime Minister Carney emphasized the need for jurisdictional cooperation to coordinate efforts on interprovincial transmission. This strategy is designed to ensure that every region of the country has access to affordable, reliable, and clean power, thereby enhancing economic resilience.

Upcoming Engagements

Prime Minister Carney discussed his upcoming bilateral visits to France and Ireland, as well as his participation in the 2026 G7 Leaders' Summit. These engagements are intended to deepen Canada's partnerships across trade, defence, and technology, creating more opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses. The Prime Minister looks forward to advancing these priorities at the next in-person meeting with premiers next month in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) launched its fourth annual high seas patrol on June 9, 2026, to detect and deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the North Pacific Ocean. The mission, known as Operation North Pacific Guard (Op. NPG), aims to protect fish stocks and marine ecosystems, which are under increasing pressure from climate change and IUU activities. IUU fishing accounts for approximately 30 per cent of all fishing activity worldwide, threatening global seafood supply chains and fair markets.

Operation Details

The patrol is led by DFO fishery officers and supported by the Canadian Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. International partners include the United States Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Fisheries Agency of Japan, and the Republic of Korea Coast Guard. The mission will cover over 15,000 km of high seas and last for two months.

Assets and Capabilities

The primary vessel for the mission is the Canadian Coast Guard Ship (CCGS) Sir Wilfrid Laurier, a high endurance, multi-purpose, and biofuel-capable light icebreaker. Additionally, Canada has deployed a long-range Fisheries Aerial Surveillance and Enforcement aircraft to Hokkaido, Japan, for daily aerial patrols. This aircraft has previously identified conservation issues such as shark finning, dolphin harpooning, and pollution violations.

Strategic Importance

Op. NPG is funded by the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative, which received $412.9 million over five years under A Force of Nature: Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature. The operation also aligns with Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, reinforcing international law and deepening partnerships with Indo-Pacific economies. Canadian fishery officers have participated in Op. NPG since 2019, enforcing the United Nations ban on high seas driftnets and verifying compliance with Regional Fisheries Management Organizations (RFMO) regulations.

International Cooperation

The mission underscores Canada's commitment to international collaboration in maritime security. Prime Minister Carney and Japan's Prime Minister Takaichi announced a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on March 6, 2026, which includes strengthened cooperation on maritime security and information sharing. This year's operation involves 19 DFO fishery officers, including four conducting air surveillance in Japan and one joining Japan's patrol vessel as a ship rider.

Environmental Data Collection

Beyond enforcement, fishery officers will collect environmental data and water samples to support research on high seas environments. These samples will be analyzed in Canada and Japan to study the migration range of species like Pacific salmon and microplastic levels in the water. The Canadian Coast Guard was transferred to the Department of National Defence in 2025, enhancing its role in maritime security and sovereignty.