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The provincial government is emphasizing its desire to get federal dollars to fund its expensive transit plan for the GTA, including the new downtown relief Ontario Line.

“People in Ontario and across the country expect us to work with the federal government and municipal governments,” Ford said. “And as I’ve always said, what is good for Ontario is good for Canada and what is good for Canada is good for Ontario.”

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In addition to the premier, his most senior ministers including Finance Minister Rod Phillips and Health Minister Christine Elliott will sit on the new council.

The council will attempt to secure more funding from the Trudeau government for health care, broadband infrastructure and transit and also work to end interprovincial trade barriers and attract international investment to Ontario, the government says.

“One of the biggest challenges we face in Ontario and across this country is the issue of hallway health care,” Ford said. “And no province can solve this problem on its own.”

NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said the premier should be using his face-to-face time with Trudeau to announce he will bring an end to his $30-million court battle against the federal carbon pricing plan.

“And I hope the premier says to the prime minister that he’ll be avoiding any negative shots at the prime minister and instead move forward on a positive relationship that helps Ontarians,” she said.

aartuso@postmedia.com