REGINA—Saskatchewan Party Leader Brad Wall wants to know why Saskatchewan is not part of a new agreement on inter-provincial trade between Alberta and British Columbia.  Last Friday, the governments of Alberta and BC signed the Alberta-British Columbia Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement with the goal of making the two provinces the dominant economic region in Canada.

Today in the Legislature, Wall asked Lorne Calvert to explain why Saskatchewan wasn’t part of the new deal.

“Over the next few years, we will see an unprecedented expansion of economic and political influence from eastern provinces to the west,” Wall said.  “In fact, it’s already underway.  But thanks to the NDP, Saskatchewan is being left behind.”

BC Premier Gordon Campbell estimates the new agreement will result in 78,000 new jobs and a $4.8 billion jump in economic activity in his province.  Alberta Premier Ralph Klein expects similar results in Alberta.

Wall noted that in the past year, BC created over 84,000 new jobs and Alberta created over 68,000 new jobs while Saskatchewan lost 5,200 jobs.

“We believe Saskatchewan should be a leader in the new west, to have a strong voice and presence in this arrangement,” Wall said.  “If we want to be competitive, Saskatchewan needs to have a place in this trade pact.  Instead, the NDP seems intent on turning Saskatchewan into an economic island.”

Premier Klein has said he hopes other western provinces see the potential of this agreement and sign on.

“The Saskatchewan Party believes we should accept this invitation to be a leader in the new west,” Wall said.

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For more information: Saskatchewan Party Caucus, Regina, 787-4300.