Mark Carney

In a letter to his North American counterparts, US-Canada Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc said the three countries should renew the USMCA trade deal.

The deal would see one million tons of natural gas shipped annually from Canada to Germany by the early 2030s through a proposed terminal in British Columbia.

The western province will hold a vote in October on whether Alberta should remain in Canada or move ahead with holding a binding separation referendum.

The oil-rich province will decide in October whether to stay part of Canada or trigger a binding independence referendum.

Alberta's decision to hold a referendum on separation has been widely criticised, including by separatists who say the question is not definitive enough.

The boost marks a major turnaround for Canada after years of falling behind on defence capabilities.

The former war crimes prosecutor has been named by Prime Minister Mark Carney to be the Monarch's, currently King Charles III, representative in Canada.