With Canada and the United States in the middle of the heated commercial negotiations nationwide, the political heads of four Canadian provinces and 11 US states. They seek to forge closer links at the legislative conference of the western medium in Saskatoon this week.
The conference will be held from Sunday to Wednesday, and brings together provincial and state legislators of Canada and the US western media. Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario are the Canadian provinces present, and Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin are the United States.
The president of the conference and Saskatchewan Mla Lori Carr said that the goal is to find a common land at the regional level and learn from each other, and added that if the political leaders cook a possible commercial resolution, they will take them to their respective federal governments.
“We are really talking more local here,” Carr said.
He described it as an opportunity to share regional success stories, citing carbon capture in Estevan, Sask., As an example.
“If they still have coal plants that are burning, then they could assume this technology,” Carr said.
“We have a lot of trade that goes and goes through the border of the United States from Saskatchewan and most of our trade go to these 11 states of the United States,” said Carr. “Then they are our clients, in essence.”
Manitoba Mla Terry Duguid said it is a special moment in the history of Canada-United States.
He said the conference will help emphasize what Canada and the United States have in common “instead of our differences.”
“It is important to understand each other and the ties that unite us in commerce and defense,” Duguid said.
“Our relationship, despite the headlines, is strong, is very connected and integrated.”
The issues that could arise this week include the importance of the agricultural economy, energy, border security and water management, Duguid said, calling the water especially important given the drought that hits much of the West.
The senator of the state of Illinois, Elgie Sims, said that the mood among the delegates has been positive so far, despite the fact that the commercial war is coming over the conference.
“I think we all understand that we are, deep down, we are friends, we are partners, we are allies,” Sims said.
The president of the United States, Donald Trump, said previously that Canada had until August 1, this Friday, to forge a new commercial agreement. Both he and Prime Minister Mark Carney have indicated that there might not be a new agreement for then.
Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the United States ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, will be speakers at the conference.
