B.C. premier has 'full and frank' conversations with western premiers but no consensus on pipeline

B.C. Premier John Horgan says"full and frank" conversations were hadwith his western counterparts at meetings in Yellowknifeon a number of interprovincial issues,despitethe continuing dispute with Alberta over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

The premiersgatheredto discuss shared priorities such aspharmacare, infrastructure, justice and community safety.

"We did make great progress on a range of other issues that are of importance to British Columbians and Western Canadians," Horgansaid.

But theTrans Mountain pipeline dispute still cast a shadow over the meetings.

The premiers issued a communique highlighting their priorities following the meetings, but Alberta declined to sign onover a lack of consensus on its position that the pipeline must be built.

"My message on every item in the agenda is that you can't talk about ways to spend money without talking about how we are going to grow the Canadian economy," said Alberta Deputy PremierSarah Hoffman.

Alberta Premier skips meeting

Alberta Premier Rachel Notleypulled out of the conference on Monday saying she could be more productive at home as the days count down to Kinder Morgan's deadline.

The company suspended all non-essential spending on the $7.4-billion project citing opposition from the B.C. government. It hassaid it will make a decision on whether to continue with construction by May 31.

The federal government is also working to negotiate a deal that would indemnifyKinder Morgan against the political risk the project is currently facing.

On Tuesday, Notley saidB.C. could ease escalating tensions over the projectby agreeing to abide by a pending B.C. Court of Appeal ruling on its reference case.

Legal wrangling continues

B.C. is seeking a court decision on whether it has the jurisdiction to limit expanded shipments of heavy oil through the province on environmental grounds.

In response,Alberta passed legislationlast week that could effectively choke off the supply of gasoline to B.C. Then on Tuesday, B.C. sued Alberta over that legislation, which it contends is unconstitutional.

Speaking Wednesday in Yellowknife,Horganleft the option open totakeB.C.'sreference case to the Supreme Court of Canada if necessary.

"We are in court and we are awaiting the outcome of those proceedings," he said. "Then we will make other decisions at that time."