Small minority of cranks: Eby laments separatism push as Western premiers meet [Video]

British Columbia Premier David Eby says separatism discussions in some parts of the country are a “colossal waste of time and energy,” as he meets fellow leaders from Western Canada in Yellowknife.

Eby says the western provinces have been leading the way on issues including the removal of internal trade barriers, and now is not the time to be diverted by “a small minority of cranks.”

Also set to attend the annual two-day conference are Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe, Manitoba’s Wab Kinew, Nunavut’s P.J. Akeeagok, Yukon’s outgoing Premier Ranj Pillai and Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson.

Eby isn’t naming anyone as he laments the separatism movement but said it’s hard to “imagine a worse time to be tacitly or overtly supporting voices” that want to break Canada apart.

The annual Western Premiers’ Conference comes two weeks before all of Canada’s premiers are to meet with Prime Minister …