Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says a lot was accomplished working with the Harper government, but that he is prepared to work with the new Liberal government of Justin Trudeau.
Wall said he congratulated Trudeau on Tuesday morning, and the two leaders talked about family and the demands of politics. Wall says the two also share common concerns on a number of issues including First Nations education funding.
“The argument – and we think it’s pretty rock solid – is that the funding we provide for First Nations off reserve is substantially more than what the federal government provides for on-reserve education, and that has got to change. That really, really needs to change,” Wall said.
Wall is confident Liberal MP Ralph Goodale will represent the interests of all Saskatchewan people in the new Liberal government, because it’s something the two have already talked about, Wall said.
Wall is also a supporter of an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women – something the new Liberal government says it will hold.
As for his political future, the Premier is throwing cold water on any suggestions he would be interested in running for the leadership of the federal Conservative party.
“It’s flattering when you hear people say that, and it’s humbling, it really is,” he said.
“But no, the answer is no. I think I have the best political job in Canada: I am grateful to have this job and I’m going to work hard to have the contract renewed in a few months.”
Saskatchewan residents will go the polls in a provincial election on April 4.