Politicians in Ottawa will hear a loud case for a national energy strategy from the three western premiers early next year, as they have announced a joint mission to the capital.
British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall met with Premier Alison Redford in Edmonton Tuesday afternoon and announced their plans for the joint mission, which will focus on healthcare transfers, immigration and the creation of a national energy strategy.
Clark argued that with a growing share of the country's economy and population it was time for Western Canada to make itself heard.
"This is our chance to make sure that western views and western voices are really reflected in the decisions that are taken in Ottawa."
Wall said the unified front the premiers planned to show to Ottawa would make a strong case.
"I like our chances if we are talking about them together, if we are going to Ottawa together and making a case for more of these things that are important not just to our economy, but for the country's."
Redford has been talking about the need for a Canadian energy strategy for months. She said a common approach is about ensuring all provinces prosper from the energy Canada has to offer the world.
"Whether we are talking about oilsands, or gas, or coal, or hydro, or whatever it might be, we are part of an integrated energy economy and what that means is that we all benefit from the success of all other parts of our country."
Clark echoed those comments.
"There are all kinds of ways that Canada produces energy and we need to be proud that our country is an energy powerhouse."
Wall said having a clear statement from the country about energy is the first step toward building a better economy.
"I think a Canadian energy strategy starts with a statement form the country that simply says we are an energy power and we are proud of it."
Local MP Brent Rathgeber said he expects the joint mission will be greeted warmly in Ottawa. He said Redford has made it clear that she wants to improve the relationship between her government and the federal government.
"She is committed, and I think honestly and faithfully, to develop closer ties and a better working relationship with the province of Alberta and the federal government, where things had deteriorated significantly towards the end of Premier Stelmach's administration."
Rathgeber said that deterioration was over financial issues like health transfers and equalization payments.
He said he looks forward to hear what Redford is proposing on the issue of a national energy strategy. He said given the history of the National Energy Plan, having it come from the provinces to Ottawa is the right move.
"I think that it is positive that is coming from the provinces towards the federal government as opposed to from the federal government and being imposed on the provinces."
Opposition concerned
Wildrose leader Danielle Smith said she was pleased to see the premiers coming together to push on the issues.
"I think it is a great idea for our western premiers to work together to sell the energy message to eastern Canada."
She said she was disappointed Clark wasn't more committal about the Gateway pipeline, a project that would bring oil from Alberta to the west coast, for shipment abroad.
NDP MLA Rachel Notley was skeptical about the discussions, saying she feared what might be on the table in the discussions.
"They are talking about a lot more than they are sharing with Albertans and they are talking about things that Albertans should have an opportunity to weigh in on."
The three premiers did not set a date for the mission, but Redford said it would come before the spring election, which will happen between March 1 and the end of May.
