The recent Western Premiers Conference in Edmonton saw the provincial leaders discuss everything from resource development to health-care provision.
In the final communiqué from the conference, the premiers said their talks were productive and friendly.
Whether the meetings will help heal divisions among the leaders, particularly in contentious areas such as inter-provincial trade and resource infrastructure, remains to be seen.
What is known is that current disputes among the western provinces, such as over the Trans Mountain expansion project, are creating daily hardships for Albertans.
For his part, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney said the premiers had good discussions during the conference.
“We can be partners in prosperity, working together for jobs, economic growth and environmentally responsible economic growth across western and northern Canada,” said Kenney.
B.C. Premier John Horgan also said the provincial leaders had constructive talks.
“We need to bind together to realize our full economic potential,” said Horgan. “I have no quarrel with the people of Alberta, but I have a responsibility to protect and defend the things that matter to British Columbia. I believe British Columbians expect me to defend their interests.”
In the final communiqué, the premiers noted “appropriate infrastructure, including access to adequate port capacity, roads, airports, rail lines, pipelines, transmission lines, and communications infrastructure, is critical to attracting the capital needed to create and sustain the economic prosperity Canadians have come to expect.”
It is encouraging to see the leaders acknowledge that more needs to be done to overcome the many serious challenges facing Western Canada.
However with a federal election on the horizon, the time is fast approaching for western premiers to put aside their differences and focus exclusively on making the upcoming campaign, at least in part, about western Canadian concerns and issues.
Unfortunately, despite the glowing and friendly words coming out of the recent Western Premiers Conference, Premier Kenney and Premier Horgan appear to remain unable to settle the lingering and very troubling Alberta-B.C. feud over TransMountain.
– Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor
