Belanger Raises Alarm Over New West Partnership

Belanger Raises Alarm Over New West Partnership

Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 15:30

A northern Saskatchewan MLA says the province’s north could lose out over a new deal between Saskatchewan and some other western provinces.

Buckley Belanger says not enough details are known about the New West Partnership Agreement, which is scheduled to be signed in Regina tomorrow.

Under the deal, Saskatchewan would move to reduce trade barriers with Alberta and British Columbia.

Belanger says Premier Brad Wall hasn’t released the fine print of the agreement, and he worries it could affect northern interests.

He wonders how it affects First Nations and Metis people, as well as northern resources such as water.

Belanger also hopes the deal doesn’t impede the province’s ability to sue Alberta over the impact of the oilsands.

He says hard questions need to be asked about this agreement until the government releases full details.