Ford praises Carney's humble leadership style, citing late-night fireside chats at Muskoka cottage

Canadian premiers, including Nova Scotia's Tim Houston and Ontario's Doug Ford, have expressed praise for Prime Minister Mark Carney, citing improved relationships and progress on internal trade and major projects legislation. Ford also shared a story about a late-night fireside chat with Carney at his Muskoka cottage. Despite ongoing trade tensions with the US, premiers seem optimistic about their relationships and the federal government.

Canadian premiers, including Nova Scotia's Tim Houston and Ontario's Doug Ford, have expressed praise for Prime Minister Mark Carney, highlighting improved relationships and progress on internal trade and major projects legislation. Ford also shared a story about a late-night fireside chat with Carney at his Muskoka cottage. Despite ongoing trade tensions with the United States, premiers seem optimistic about their relationships and the federal government.

Houston, speaking in Huntsville, Ontario, where Ontario Premier Doug Ford has been hosting this year's premiers' meeting, emphasized the significance of the meetings. "First off, isn't it great? Like, these are such important relationships for Canadians and we're all kind of binding together and spending time together," said Houston. He noted that the passage of Bill C-5, Carney's internal trade and major projects legislation aimed at creating "one Canadian economy," as one of the accomplishments achieved thanks in part to better relations with and between Canadian first ministers [1].

Ford, in a news conference, praised Carney for his humility and extensive experience in the financial sector. "The prime minister is the most humble person you'd ever want to meet," Ford said. He also noted that Carney stayed over at his Muskoka cottage and they had dinner and talked late into the night [1].

The premiers have agreed to support Carney's push to hammer out an economic and security agreement with President Donald Trump by Aug. 1, even if they are unclear on the details. They want clarity from the PM on the state of negotiations and are looking for a deal that can benefit Canada without forcing a trade deal at all costs [2].

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the trade negotiations, the premiers remain optimistic about the future of Canada. Houston expressed his confidence in the prime minister and the federal government to come up with a deal that benefits Canadians. "I actually have tremendous confidence in the prime minister, and the team that is representing us as Canadians, to look at all of the factors and the moving parts, and come up with the best deal for Canadians," said Houston [1].

References:
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/ford-houston-carney-praise-1.7591546
[2] https://www.politico.com/newsletters/canada-playbook/2025/07/22/huntsville-hunker-down-00466639