Premiers from Canada's western provinces speak with media during the Western Premiers' Conference in Vancouver, B.C. on Friday, May 6, 2016.JIMMY JEONG/The Canadian Press
B.C. Premier Christy Clark says the Fort McMurray fire's impact on the energy sector should be a wake-up call to Canadians about Western Canada's economic influence.
"I would argue there's proof that not everybody has heard this message," Ms. Clark told reporters Friday at the conclusion of the annual conference of western premiers and territorial leaders.
Ms. Clark was flanked by the leaders of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the three territories, and Alberta's deputy premier, Sarah Hoffman. Ms. Hoffman was standing in for Rachel Notley, who was absent because of the wildfire that forced the evacuation of more than 80,000 people in Fort McMurray.
As conference chair, Ms. Clark largely spoke for her fellow leaders as they wrapped up two days of meetings in Vancouver.
She cited a Bank of Montreal analysis, which has forecast $9-billion in wildfire damages in Alberta and reduced its second-quarter gross domestic product growth estimate for Canada to zero from 1.5 per cent, given the impact on the energy sector.
"If any Canadian listening today doubts how important Western Canada's natural resources are to this country, they should pay attention to that fact," said Ms. Clark, who noted western resources "matter to every single Canadian no matter where you live."
"As Fort McMurray burns and as the economic infrastructure that has, so long, supported Canadians is threatened, international observers are suggesting that our economic growth is going to suffer disastrously as a result."
Ms. Clark said the situation "puts the finest point possible" on why western premiers are focused on an economic agenda that includes ensuring investments for the resource economy and infrastructure to get goods to market.
The Alberta wildfire has been a massive blow to the energy sector, forcing as much as a quarter of the country's oil output offline as it negatively affects oil-sands projects, electrical facilities, pipelines and other operations in the Fort McMurray region.
Some estimates suggest companies have shut off between 800,000 and one million barrels of production a day.
Ms. Clark said the reality of Western Canada's resource contribution to national wealth "has been entirely lost" among some.
Hoffman said Alberta remains intent on getting its energy products to market. "We're not going to apologize for that. It's in Canada's best interests," she said.
The deputy premier also extended her thanks for Canadian support as her province grapples with the fallout of the forest fires. "We know that Alberta doesn't stand alone," she said.
In other areas, the premiers raised concerns about health funding, and reiterated their commitment to work toward the climate-change agenda struck at their meeting with other premiers and the prime minister earlier this year in Vancouver.
Brian Pallister, newly sworn in as Manitoba's premier, said he saw a "tremendous advantage" to his province joining the New West Partnership for trade among B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan. "We're looking forward to moving forward on the initiative with ambitious enthusiasm," he said without providing further specifics.
Ms. Clark and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall indicated that further talks on the issue will require the presence of Ms. Notley at the table.
The western premiers will next meet in Yukon next year.