Today, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, met with provincial and territorial finance ministers in Charlottetown to discuss shared priorities, including improving affordability, removing outstanding internal trade barriers between provinces, increasing housing supply and advancing measures to strengthen Canada's long-term economic growth and competitiveness in an uncertain global environment.
During the meeting, Minister Champagne provided updates on federal measures aimed at making life more affordable, including the rollout of the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and the temporary suspension of the federal fuel excise tax on gasoline and diesel. He also outlined key priorities for the upcoming federal budget, such as growing Canada's energy, critical minerals, defence, and artificial intelligence sectors, while maintaining sound fiscal management and ensuring federal investments support long-term growth, as the government undertakes consultations with Canadians this summer.
The Minister was pleased to share, alongside his provincial and territorial counterparts, Ontario's commitment to join Canada's national securities regulatory passport system-an important step toward greater regulatory harmonization across provinces and, importantly, a requisite step to removing outstanding interprovincial trade barriers and growing one Canadian economy.
Canada's trade relationship with the United States was also discussed, including the Joint Review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Minister Champagne underscored the importance of continued collaboration and coordinated engagement with U.S. and Mexican partners in the months ahead. He reaffirmed the federal government's commitment to supporting Canadian workers, businesses, and communities nation-wide in the face of external economic pressures and evolving global trade dynamics.
The ministers received an update on the establishment of the new Financial Crimes Agency, as well as broader efforts to strengthen Canada's framework to combat money laundering, financial crime, and organized crime. They also discussed opportunities to enhance beneficial ownership transparency and identified areas for continued collaboration to safeguard Canada's economic security.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to continued coordination in addressing shared economic challenges, strengthening competitiveness, reducing internal trade barriers, and accelerating economic growth-helping create greater economic opportunities and long-term prosperity for Canadians.
