EDMONTON - Alberta's premier is making a plea for Ottawa to pay attention to all industries affected by the current economic crisis instead of focusing on the Ontario-based auto sector.

Premier Ed Stelmach says without `equitable' help, other Canadians won't be able to afford to buy cars and keep the auto industry afloat.

He says people working in the forestry, agriculture and energy sectors are also at risk of losing their jobs.

Stelmach stopped short of suggesting an energy industry bailout even though he expects to see significant job losses as oil prices continue to tumble.

Stelmach says the federal government shouldn't ignore Alberta just because province paid off its remaining debt years ago and now has money in the bank.

The premier's says the prime minister should pay attention to the needs of the West because `families are families' no matter where they live.