Ottawa and the provinces reached an agreement−in−principle this week to gradually increase CPP premiums as a way to boost the program’s benefits for future generations of retirees.

The gathering Monday in Vancouver will be dominated by talks on Canada Pension Plan reform —but Carlos Leitao warned the urgent issue of health funding is perhaps even more important.

Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitao says federal−provincial talks over Canada Pension Plan enhancement are expected to boil down to one or two options by next week.

As a huge wildfire raged, Alberta's labour market continued to struggle last month — job losses mounted, the unemployment rate surged and total hours worked hit their lowest mark in 30 years.

The severity of the risks associated with a sharp correction in real estate prices in Vancouver and Toronto as well as from household financial stress has risen.

Experts like Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz expect the disaster to have Canada-wide economic consequences.

"When the middle class are anxious about their economic realities in their future, it’s easy to get trapped in demagoguery and protectionism," Trudeau told his peers.

Trudeau’s theme: government investment is better than belt−tightening.

"I am very much in the relationship-building mode, where we're talking about the kinds of challenges and opportunities that companies are facing," said Trudeau,