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Premier Doug Ford is a familiar face on U.S. cable news shows, frequently appearing on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC and CNBC to speak out against President Donald Trump’s tariffs. But Ford rarely makes time for Canadian political programs.

As host of the Council of the Federation meeting that has concluded in Huntsville, however, the Ontario premier is appearing Wednesday on CBC Power & Politics with David Cochrane. Ford pretaped the interview with Cochrane following the closing news conference at Deerhurst Resort. It airs after 5 pm on CBC News Network.

Premier Doug Ford says “we sure don’t have to take a backseat to Donald Trump. We’re no shrinking violet. I got a problem with one person and that’s Donald Trump.” That’s Ford’s final comment as chair of the Council of the Federation, which rotates annually. He has handed the baton to P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz. “I know I have big shoes to fill,” says Lantz, who will welcome the premiers to his island province next summer. This COF meeting was the first in the organization’s almost 23-year history that was attended by the prime minister. Former PMs Paul Martin, Stephen Harper and Justin Trudeau never attended a premiers’ conference.

Quebec Premier François Legault admits the premiers did not raise health-care funding concerns with Prime Minister Mark Carney. Still, Legault says Ottawa only funds 22 per cent of health costs and provinces need more help from the federal government. This has been a long-standing concern of the premiers that even predates the formation of the Council of the Federation on Dec. 5, 2003 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

On the always contentious issue of interprovincial trade barriers, Premier Doug Ford notes Ontario has signed deals with every province and territory except Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador and he is hopeful to ink agreements with those two provinces sooner rather than later.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt adds “we have made more progress that’s been made in a long time” thanks in part to a cooperative federal government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Quebec Premier François Legault adds that Bill 112, his government’s legislation mandating free trade with other provinces, should pass this fall.

With Prime Minister Mark Carney promising to increase defence spending to meet Canada’s NATO commitments, Quebec Premier François Legault stresses “it is very important that we become more self-reliant,” meaning increased domestic procurement for military equipment.

Premier Doug Ford pipes in that “we need to spread the work across the country.” Ford touts General Dynamics in London, Ont. and the Heddle Shipyard in Hamilton.

British Columbia Premier David Eby insists it is “not at all” the case that Trump’s trade war against Canada has hijacked the national conversation and relegated important challenges like health care, affordability, climate change and other matters.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt points out that “we can walk and chew gum at the same time.” Holt points out that Trump has forced the premiers and prime minister to meet more often and communicate better so other issues are also getting air time.

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says there’s no rush for a trade pact with the U.S. — warning a good deal is far more important than a quick deal. “Our kids and grandkids are going to look back on this time as an inflection point where we had an opportunity to stand up for our nation’s independence and for economic self-sufficiency.” Kinew likens the task at hand for the first ministers to the brave firefighters battling wild fires across the country. “That’s the power of unity. That’s the power of working together.”

Premier Doug Ford says Ontario will begin issuing work permits to allow asylum seekers to work in the province, but he needs cooperation from Ottawa. That’s been a source of tension between Queen’s Park and the federal government for decades.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith emphasizes the many “areas of common ground” between her and British Columbia Premier David Eby. Smith is pushing a bitumen pipeline to the Pacific that Eby has expressed concern about due to concerns from Indigenous groups and environmentalists. But Eby said “there are far more points of agreement” with Smith than differences. The B.C. premier said there are $50 billion in projects ready to go in his province, but there is no private-sector proponent for a revived Northern Gateway pipeline, which was proposed between Bruderheim, Alta. and Kitimat, B.C.

Quebec Premier François Legault tells reporters that talks on interprovincial trade Wednesday was fruitful. Legault says the premiers want “to take advantage of a 41-million person market” in Canada. Still, the Quebec premier repeats his province’s perennial demand for more say over its own affairs.

At the closing news conference of the Council of the Federation meeting at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, host Premier Doug Ford says the premiers will be “holding (Prime Minister Mark Carney) accountable on bail reform.” Ford also notes Carney is more onside with the premiers on immigration than federal Immigration Minister Lena Diab. “We need the prime minister to be very clear with his minister,” the Ontario premier says.

The temporary set of CBC News Network’s “Power & Politics,” hosted by David Cochrane, tucked into a corner of the Deerhurst Resort lobby. It’s right next to the gift shop that has been doing a steady business from premiers, their staff and journalists picking up sweatshirts, mugs and souvenirs.

In case you’re planning your day around this like we are, the premiers’ closing news conference has been moved up a half hour to 12.30 p.m. Although we always take these times with a grain of salt

We’re in a holding pattern at Deerhurst Resort while the premiers hold their last meeting of the three-day conference. TV reporters are doing live hits on what premiers said going into the meeting at 9 a.m., talking about bail reform, health funding and trade, among other issues. They’re expected to emerge around 1 p.m. and take their seats at the long table in the background with the flags for a final news conference. Meanwhile, reporters are getting started on stories you will read later today. And drinking coffee — and eating a few too many cookies.

Tuesday night’s reception for the premiers and their guests — including Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative caucus — at Deerhurst Resort featured Blue Rodeo founder Jim Cuddy and his band playing favourites. Keeping the Ontario theme, Niagara wines and local craft beers were served. Chef stations offering small plates featured lamb chop “lollipops,â€� duck, pork tenderloin, trout, salmon and whitefish with tiny cups of maple crème brûlée on a dessert table in a ballroom. To the relief of attendees, Muskoka’s famous evening mosquitos were not invited.

Despite the love-in with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday, Premier Doug Ford says the provinces still need more money in federal health transfers from Ottawa. This is a traditional refrain at Council of the Federation meetings where premiers decry the lack of federal funds for social programs. Ford notes Ontario taxpayers send $26 billion more annually to Ottawa than is returned in transfers. A generation ago, former premier Dalton McGuinty gained a lot of political mileage over what was then known as a “$22-billion gap.�

Premier Doug Ford, who is hosting the Council of the Federation meeting, blasts “weak-kneed judges� for letting accused criminals out on bail too easily. Ford said “people are just fed up� and want mandatory minimum sentences for crimes. He insists car thefts in Ontario are worse than anywhere in the U.S.

British Columbia Premier David Eby says Prime Minister Mark Carney’s looming bail reform legislation will likely target intimate partner violence. Eby says more can — and must — be done to protect women who have been victimized by violent men.

New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt says the premiers “are all on the same page� when it comes to bail reform. They all want things beefed up to better protect Canadians, says Holt. Justice issues and health care are top of mind topics for the premiers Wednesday after trade and Trump’s tariffs dominated discussion Tuesday.

As the final day of the Council of the Federation meeting begins in Huntsville, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says the premiers are looking forward to federal bail reform legislation this fall. Prime Minister Mark Carney has promised changes to tackle recidivists. Moe says the Criminal Code of Canada needs to be updated to reflect the new “poisonous drugs� that are being smuggled here these days.

HUNTSVILLE, Ont. — When in doubt, manage expectations.

Manage the premiers. Manage the media. Manage the country.

Delivering a confidential update to the premiers at their summit in Muskoka, Mark Carney gave a master class in how the prime minister’s job comes in two parts.

HUNTSVILLE, Ont. — Dampening expectations of a U.S. trade pact by President Donald Trump’s Aug. 1 deadline, Prime Minister Mark Carney says it’s time for Canada to look to other countries for opportunities.

“We’re working positively for a deal. We’ll take stock if there isn’t one that works,” he said Tuesday after a three-hour meeting with provincial premiers at their annual Council of the Federation conference, where first ministers are plotting their next moves amid dwindling hopes of averting broader Trump tariffs.   

“But they’re complex negotiations, and we use all the time that’s necessary,” he added on a hot, sunny patio at Deerhurst Resort after briefing provincial leaders on the status of talks.