Trade, Arctic security top of list as Western premiers meet in Yellowknife [Video]

Premiers from Western Canada are to meet Wednesday to kick off a two-day conference in Yellowknife.

Set to attend are Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, British Columbia’s David Eby, 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.

This annual conference comes two weeks before all Canada’s premiers are to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Saskatoon.

A statement from Simpson’s office last week said the western leaders are set to discuss a range of issues, including Arctic sovereignty, energy security, international trade and emergency preparedness.

Housing, economic corridors and tariffs are also on the agenda.

Smith said the meeting is taking place at a “critical moment” for Alberta, in the wake of last month’s federal election. She said she plans to advocate for new pipelines.

“We cannot afford federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction to continue or damaging federal …