Affordability crisis among top priorities for region's leaders

The affordability crisis was top of mind among Canada's western premiers on Friday as they pledged to look at ways to enhance economic development in their provinces and territories.

Premiers Scott Moe of Saskatchewan and Jason Kenney of Alberta argued increasing the development of Canadian energy products, like oil and gas, would help reduce costs at the pump or to heat homes.

“Here we are in Western Canada sitting on the third largest oil reserves in the world, fourth largest gas reserves, and yet we're paying, I don't know, in many parts of western B.C., over $2 a litre for gas and on the Prairies, $1.75,” Kenney told reporters during a press conference.

“We can help address that by getting more supply.”

Among the plethora of issues discussed at the Western Premiers' Conference in Regina, the premiers said Canada must do its part in providing energy and food that they say is responsible, reliable and affordable.

They said the war in Ukraine, supply chain issues and heightened demand for goods have caused the cost-of-living to increase significantly.

“I'd say if we don't take this conversation of food and energy security very seriously, in this nation, and in this continent in the days ahead, we are heading down the very same path that we've seen the European Union head down,” Moe said.

“And that should be problematic, and that should be top of mind for all of us in this nation.”

Along with Moe and Kenney, discussions at the conference involved the premiers of B.C., Manitoba, the Northwest Territories and the Yukon.

They called upon the federal government to pay for a bigger chunk of health-care costs, as well as agreed to work with Ottawa on coming up with a plan for immigration opportunities.

The premiers also asked Ottawa to work with them in expanding the capacity of western trade corridors and ports.

They pledged to look at what are called pan-canadian economic corridors to “unlock potential in all provinces and territories,” according to their communiqué.

While Kenney said such corridors aren't a short-term solution to current cost-of-living challenges, it would help prevent high energy costs because provinces and territories could expand the production of oil and gas, potash and crops.

“The concept here is getting the federal and provincial governments to work together to clear out unnecessary regulatory hurdles to getting our products to market,” Kenney said.

Part of this includes expanding capacity at the Churchill rail and port systems in Manitoba, as well as looking at other northern transportation routes.

Northwest Territories Premier Caroline Cochrane said that while people have a responsibility to address climate change, it has resulted in an opportunity to potentially export goods. She said climate change's devastating impacts have opened up the Arctic sea, which could be an avenue to ship products.

“We need to look at the opportunities that offers us, as well to be able to market what we produce in Canada,” Cochrane said. “We have an obligation to take care of all humans throughout the world.”

This also includes ensuring Canada's north remains sovereign, the premiers said, noting Russia's invasion of Ukraine and other foreign activities in the Arctic have implications for security in the region.

The premiers agreed economic stability and energy security “go hand-in-hand with actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” according to their communiqué. They said provincial and territorial climate change plans address local priorities.