Overview

• Territorial premiers met in Yukon during the Northern Premiers’ Forum to address the federal plan to eliminate interprovincial trade barriers by Canada Day.
• The leaders proposed the creation of a territorial trade zone to ensure northern economic realities and Indigenous treaties are respected in trade reforms.
• Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai emphasized that legally binding treaties and self-government agreements must guide any changes to trade policies in the North.
• Nunavut Premier P. J. Akeeagok highlighted the procurement rights and consultation obligations enshrined in the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement as critical considerations.
• Northwest Territories Premier R. J. Simpson expressed optimism about reducing business barriers while preserving territorial exemptions under the Canada Free Trade Agreement.