23 May: Western Canada’s premiers have announced a joint commitment to identify, plan, and develop new economic corridors aimed at connecting provincial and territorial resources with global markets. The leaders say this initiative is key to strengthening Canada’s access to Asian and European trade amid escalating tensions with both the United States and China.
In a collective statement released at the end of their two-day summit in Yellowknife, the premiers emphasized that strategic infrastructure development—such as pipelines, highways, ports, railways, electricity transmission systems, and emerging technologies like hydrogen and biofuels—is essential for national growth, energy security, and global competitiveness.
“Western Canada must lead the way in driving Canadian productivity,” the statement read. “Developing infrastructure for oil, gas, LNG, uranium, and hydroelectricity—as well as new opportunities like small modular nuclear reactors—will be pivotal for reaching international markets.”
While the premiers showcased a strong spirit of cooperation, they stressed the need for federal assistance in making these corridors a reality. Specifically, they called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to back plans for linking West Coast ports to Hudson Bay, which they say would serve remote regions and enhance economic resilience across the country. The premiers also pushed for new federal funding streams to support projects in underdeveloped and northern communities.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe described the summit as “a generational opportunity,” voicing hopes that the momentum would continue when all of Canada’s premiers convene in Saskatoon for a broader national meeting with Carney in two weeks.
Alongside the economic discussions, the western leaders addressed other shared priorities including housing, Arctic security, emergency preparedness, and public safety—again urging the federal government to take stronger action.
Despite the overall consensus, some points of disagreement surfaced during the conference. B.C. Premier David Eby challenged Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s proposal to revive the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline, which would transport Alberta oil to northern B.C.’s coast. Eby argued that British Columbia already houses the federally owned Trans Mountain pipeline, which remains underused, and suggested maximizing its output before considering new projects that could endanger B.C.’s coastal ecosystems.
Eby also announced a bilateral agreement between B.C. and the Yukon to explore electrification efforts in the territory. With Yukon still heavily reliant on diesel, Eby said exporting electricity from B.C. would foster job growth and cleaner energy both locally and in the North.
Premier Smith faced additional pushback during the summit, as two separate protests in Yellowknife opposed her positions. One demonstration, led by the Dene Nation, reaffirmed support for Indigenous treaty rights amidst renewed conversations around Alberta separatism. The second protest criticized Alberta’s recent legislation restricting gender-affirming healthcare for youth and banning transgender athletes in female sports.
The Northern Mosaic Network, which organized the protest, claimed Alberta’s laws have negative spillover effects on residents of the Northwest Territories who often travel south for medical treatment. In response, Smith said the legislation applies only within Alberta, and argued that Carney’s leadership on economic priorities could help neutralize separatist sentiment.
“The best way to shut down separatist talk,” Smith said, “is for the federal government to implement the ideas we’ve proposed today.”
