P.E.I. premier in Ottawa to meet with new PM, other first ministers

P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan is in Ottawa next week, for his first meeting with Justin Trudeau since the federal election.

All of Canada's premiers and territorial leaders will be there, something that didn't happen for years under former prime minister Stephen Harper.

"It's a great thing to have a first ministers meeting," said MacLauchlan. "All the premiers and the territorial leaders and the Prime Minister together around the table for the first time in seven years or since January of 2009."

The two big agenda items are climate change and resettlement of Syrian refugees.

"We're very positive about this initiative," said MacLauchlan of the program to bring Syrian refugees to P.E.I.

Where some premiers, fearing retaliation and rushed security protocols, have urged the federal government to pull back on its plan to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada, MacLauchlan says P.E.I.'s commitment stands firm.

MacLauchlan believes P.E.I. has an important story to tell when it comes to work it has already done with green energy.

Trudeau said on Monday, the leaders will have briefings by top climate scientists, followed by a working dinner to talk about the "strong, cohesive message" he wants the federal and provincial governments to deliver in Paris.

The Premier is also going to Paris with the Prime Minister in two weeks for the United Nations Conference on climate change.