Western provinces come together in single, united voice
Premier Brad Wall says he and his western counterparts have come together "as one voice" to advance issues important to Western Canada and the territories.
"There was a pretty dynamic agenda - that I think most jurisdictions in the world would want to have - before us today," Wall said Tuesday during a teleconference call from Edmonton that also included Alberta Premier Alison Redford, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and B.C. Jobs Minister Pat Bell.
Wall added the nature of the agenda items was "related to the fact that this part of the world is growing and people are finding opportunities.
"We need to be stewards of that growth and continually remove barriers to growth."
At the top of a list of topics released in a lengthy communique after the meeting Tuesday was progress on Redford's plan for a Canadian Energy Strategy - a "strategic, forward-thinking plan for sustainable energy management and development that will advance the common goal of ensuring that Canada is a recognized leader in sustainable and secure energy production, supply and transportation including east-west and northern electricity transmission."
The communique indicates all western premiers support the idea, though Wall clarified in the call that "if all that is achieved with a Canadian Energy Strategy, call it what you will ... is a better understanding by all Canadians of the huge energy potential of this country, ... it would be worthwhile in its pursuit."
Wall joined the other premiers in highlighting concerns regarding environmental assessments, noting premiers welcome federal government progress on streamlining related processes, but are closely watching the changes being made.
"The environmental assessment piece is very important," Wall said, noting there have been "rumours of trouble" with a new "set of barriers to growth" replacing old ones. He added he raised the issue with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Regina last week.
Collectively, the premiers said they "urge the federal government to immediately engage provinces and territories in a discussion about the implementation of the proposed Canadian Environmental Assessment Act," the communique says.
Also among the topics discussed during the premiers meeting were provincial and territorial concerns around infrastructure; devolution of control over lands, waters and resources; labour market needs; employment insurance reform; skills development; immigration; and, social innovation.
Redford noted during the call that federal NDP Leader
Thomas Mulcair's recent controversial remarks - about the effects of oilsands development on the manufacturing sector - were not on the agenda and were only briefly discussed.
Selinger, an NDP premier, said, "We didn't discuss it in any significant way. We focused on our agenda and our agenda is a positive one. We want to make sure we're developing sustainable energy across Western Canada ... we want all sectors to do well. We're not interested in discussions that take us down a path of division."
Premier Brad Wall says he and his western counterparts have come together "as one voice" to advance issues important to Western Canada and the territories.
"There was a pretty dynamic agenda - that I think most jurisdictions in the world would want to have - before us today," Wall said Tuesday during a teleconference call from Edmonton that also included Alberta Premier Alison Redford, Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger and B.C. Jobs Minister Pat Bell.
Wall added the nature of the agenda items was "related to the fact that this part of the world is growing and people are finding opportunities.
"We need to be stewards of that growth and continually remove barriers to growth."
At the top of a list of topics released in a lengthy communique after the meeting Tuesday was progress on Redford's plan for a Canadian Energy Strategy - a "strategic, forward-thinking plan for sustainable energy management and development that will advance the common goal of ensuring that Canada is a recognized leader in sustainable and secure energy production, supply and transportation including east-west and northern electricity transmission."
The communique indicates all western premiers support the idea, though Wall clarified in the call that "if all that is achieved with a Canadian Energy Strategy, call it what you will ... is a better understanding by all Canadians of the huge energy potential of this country, ... it would be worthwhile in its pursuit."
Wall joined the other premiers in highlighting concerns regarding environmental assessments, noting premiers welcome federal government progress on streamlining related processes, but are closely watching the changes being made.
"The environmental assessment piece is very important," Wall said, noting there have been "rumours of trouble" with a new "set of barriers to growth" replacing old ones. He added he raised the issue with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Regina last week.
Collectively, the premiers said they "urge the federal government to immediately engage provinces and territories in a discussion about the implementation of the proposed Canadian Environmental Assessment Act," the communique says.
Also among the topics discussed during the premiers meeting were provincial and territorial concerns around infrastructure; devolution of control over lands, waters and resources; labour market needs; employment insurance reform; skills development; immigration; and, social innovation.
Redford noted during the call that federal NDP Leader
Thomas Mulcair's recent controversial remarks - about the effects of oilsands development on the manufacturing sector - were not on the agenda and were only briefly discussed.
Selinger, an NDP premier, said, "We didn't discuss it in any significant way. We focused on our agenda and our agenda is a positive one. We want to make sure we're developing sustainable energy across Western Canada ... we want all sectors to do well. We're not interested in discussions that take us down a path of division."
