Western and northern premiers opened a two day conference in Yellowknife with a pledge to work together on trade, energy, and Arctic security.The annual gathering comes two weeks before all premiers sit down with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Saskatoon for a First Ministers meeting. Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson said the territories want a “strong, united Western voice” at the First Ministers meeting.The premiers taking part in the meeting include Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, British Columbia Premier David Eby, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok, Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, and Simpson for the Northwest Territories..Simpson’s office said the leaders will discuss Arctic sovereignty, energy security, international trade, emergency planning, housing, new economic corridors, and tariffs.Smith called the talks a “critical moment” after last month’s federal vote. Smith argued Ottawa’s policies are squeezing provincial economies and vowed to press for fresh pipeline approvals.“We cannot afford federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction to continue or damaging federal policies to impact the upward trajectory of our economies,” said Smith in a statement.“I will be at the table to advocate for Alberta’s interests, particularly the importance of new pipelines, in an effort to put the power of our economy back in the hands of Western Canadians.”.Moe will use the meeting to advance a list of demands that he recently sent Carney, including tougher Criminal Code penalties, full provincial control of the industrial carbon tax, scrapping proposed clean electricity rules, and more pipelines. Moe also wants Chinese tariffs on Canadian farm goods lifted.Eby praised the West as “the engine of the country” but warned that talk about Western independence risks stopping that momentum. “To float separatism now is simply strange,” Eby told reporters in Vancouver before boarding his flight north..Akeeagok wants Arctic security pushed higher on the national radar. Akeeagok said building the long discussed Grays Bay Road and Port, a route linking Yellowknife to Nunavut’s Arctic coast, would unlock critical minerals and boost northern sovereignty. “The Arctic holds incredible promise and, through strategic investments in critical infrastructure, we can responsibly access key resources, including critical minerals,” said Akeeagok.The Premiers are expected to release a joint statement after the meeting finishes.
