Canada’s western premiers, including Ranj Pillai of the Yukon, spoke to opportunities for the region following the Western Premiers’ Conference held in Yellowknife on May 22. The three territorial leaders discussed the North’s role.
Looming large over discussion were the continued impacts of tariffs imposed on Canada by the United States and infrastructure in Western Canada important to boosting its economy. A communiqué issued following the meeting notes the premiers’ commitment to economic corridors facilitating the flow of trade across Canada. The importance of Western Canada’s energy resources was also recognized.
“As the issue of energy security gains global importance, more must be done to harness Western Canada’s traditional and emerging energy resources to establish Canada as a leading energy superpower,” the notice from the premiers reads.
“In addition, Western Canadian resources are critical to meeting burgeoning demand for electricity within Canada. This includes developing and transporting oil and gas, liquified natural gas, uranium, electricity and hydroelectricity to Canadian and world markets, as well as in emerging opportunities such as hydrogen, biofuels and small modular nuclear reactors.”
Also discussed was the New West Partnership Trade Agreement (NWPTA), a deal allowing the free flow of goods, services, investment and people between its signatory provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. In the communiqué that followed the meeting, the premiers of the provinces and territories that have signed on stated that all of the other provinces and territories in Canada joining NWPTA would be the “fastest and most effective way to operationalize internal trade.”
At the Northern Premiers’ Forum held in the Yukon in early May, Pillai and fellow territorial premiers R.J. Simpson of the Northwest Territories and P.J. Akeeagok of Nunavut agreed to investigate striking up a “territorial trade zone” with similarities to the NWPTA. The specifications for the zone that they voiced after the northern premiers’ meeting were that it would recognize modern treaties and land claims while removing internal trade barriers where possible.
Speaking at a press conference following the meeting, Pillai said he sees a sentiment across the western provinces that the region deserves support, respect and investment from the rest of Canada. He said there has been a gap in investment for all three territories for a long time.
He added that there have been long-term discussions of improved economic corridors but Prime Minister Mark Carney understands their importance, in his estimation. The Yukon premier said he would be looking for early commitments from Carney in the upcoming throne speech to open the parliament sitting, as there are economic measures that cannot be dragged out and must be acted on now.
Pillai spoke to the importance of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. He noted that the North has a unique situation with everything, including trade, due to the number of modern treaties in place that must be respected.
He said great work had been accomplished by the western provinces that opened the door for the territories to sign on to the NWPTA with the flexibility they desire.
Pillai also noted the importance of economic activity that can move east to west across the territories not just north to south down to the provinces. He offered easier air travel between the territorial capitals as an example of something that could facilitate this.
Simpson followed up on Pillai’s point about the differences for the North when it comes to internal trade, noting that while the territories occupy 40 per cent of the Canadian land mass, they have only the population of “a small city” spread across them.
He said it is important to ensure that when money is being spent in the North, it benefits northerners and supports local businesses “so that we don’t just become a colony for the rest of Canada.”
Contact Jim Elliot at jim.elliot@yukon-news.com
