PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. - At the edge of the boreal forest, near the shore of the Northern Saskatchewan river, premiers from Western Canada and the North converged to about talk about greenhouse gas emissions.
But while the premiers say they're united in their goal, they can't seem to agree on how to tackle the situation.
The premiers emerged from their annual meeting in Prince Albert, Sask., to announce that Alberta and Saskatchewan will lead a national carbon capture storage initiative.
"We are strongly recommending that there be national recognition for the importance of this as one of the ways to help deal with the climate change issue, as one of the ways that we can deal with the greenhouse gas issue," said Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall.
The premiers said that new energy technologies will be essential to address environmental challenges. Carbon capture would involve injecting harmful greenhouse gases back under the earth's surface as a way of keeping them out of the atmosphere.
"We are united by the goal," Wall told reporters as the conference wrapped up Friday.
"We are united on the most important piece which is doing something about the problem and respecting the fact that each province is going to pursue a different way to get there."
British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell said his province was already investing in carbon capture. On Monday, for instance, the government announced $3.4 million to partner with a private company to study the feasibility of the work.
"The idea behind this was to say Alberta and Saskatchewan will drive the lead of this. All of us will plug in the information we have ... so that we learn as much as we can from one another," said Campbell.
Despite the insistence of unity, there is a divide among the premiers when it comes to a carbon tax - which B.C. has already introduced - and what is known as a cap-and-trade system. The system allows governments to set caps on emissions and companies who produce fewer emissions to sell their surplus room to others.
British Columbia and Manitoba are both part of the Western Climate Initiative, which supports a cap-and-trade system. Alberta and Saskatchewan have no plans to sign onto the deal.
Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik said a carbon tax would be a big hardship.
"Last year, when the price of fuel was $70 dollars a barrel ... 20 per cent of our entire budget was used for energy. So, the thought of an added carbon tax in our territory just won't work," said Okalik.
"I applaud British Columbia for trying to do their part in tackling climate change. We're trying to tackle it by finding different ways to create energy in our territory."
Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach dismissed the idea of a national carbon tax. Stelmach said it would be "a massive cost" to consumers without any investment going into research and suggested the carbon capture work could provide more benefits.
"This is going to be debated for more years," said Stelmach.
"We're actually doing something right now as Western provinces and not looking at a carbon tax. Simply, here's the quickest way: carbon sequestering now, capture now."
While the premiers are taking different approaches to dealing with greenhouse gas emissions, they were united on efforts to ensure a safe water supply for the future in the West.
The premiers agreed to establish the Western Water Stewardship Council. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said it's in everybody's interest because the West and North share watersheds. The province of British Columbia is to head the council.
