Leaders of Canada's 10 provinces and three territories on Monday agreed they would make concerted efforts in fighting against the current financial crisis while calling for balanced measures from the Federal Government.
The provincial premiers and territorial leaders are in Montreal discussing the global economic crisis in an attempt to create a unified front ahead of future meetings with the Federal Prime Minister.
Premiers of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia all stressed the importance of concerted efforts and partnership between different regions.
Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty cautioned that the Federal Government should not try to balance its future budgets by downloaded expenses onto provinces and municipalities, comprising social welfare and infrastructure.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper had promised to control spending and keep a federal surplus that had been lasting for the past decade, a rare thing among the industrialized world.
British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell said Canadians were living in unprecedented times and political leaders across the country must work in unison. He urged that trade and investment barriers between provinces must be removed.
Quebec Premier Jean Charest also said the premiers would be preparing a message that "we want to work together" with Ottawa.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was invited to the meeting but said he could not attend. But Premier Harper, as part of his new government's six-point economic plan, had promised to hold a first ministers' meeting on the economy in the near future.
With Canada's financial system still in good shape, Premier Harper Government had said Canada would not implement any large-scale bailout packages like that in the United States or Europe.
He vowed, however, to take any measures possible to ensure that Canada's banks not be put at a competitive disadvantage.