Kathleen Wynne tells Calgary business leaders Alberta can prosper in low-carbon economy

KathleenWynnesays it's vital for Alberta and Ontarioto be allies in the effort to create a new kind ofprosperity based on the emerging low-carbon economy.

The Ontario premier paida visit toCalgary Friday,meeting withthe mayor and business leaders and enjoying awarmerreceptionthan her stop atthe Alberta Legislature a day earlier, where her presence provoked hecklingfrom opposition MLAs.

• 'Invite Premier Wall': Ontario PremierWynneridiculed byWildrosein legislature
• Alberta and Ontario teaming up on climate change initiatives

Wynnemet withMayorNaheedNenshiand toured the General Electric Customer Innovation Centre in the morning before heading to aroundtable discussion at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, where she was invited to make a keynote address.

"We need to shape our future," she said. "If we don't combineefforts, then we're not going to play that leadershiprole globally."

Wynnepraised Alberta's NDP government for taking action on climate change with the introductionof a controversial carbon tax, in addition to pledging to phase out coal-fired electricity plants and capping emissions fromoilsandsoperations.

• Alberta introduces bill to implement carbon tax

The Ontario premier said her government is proud of the progress it has already made to address climate change, including shutting down its own coal plants. She said Premier RachelNotleyneeds to strike an especiallydelicate balance given the importance of oil and gas to the Alberta economy.

"Alberta is Canada'senergy leader. The task here is more complex," she said.

ButWynnestressed that the leaders in both provinces must reject the "false notion" of having tochoose between prosperity and protecting the environment.

Nenshistarted the day byapologizingto Wynnefollowingan awkward moment in EdmontonThursday during question period at the Alberta legislature.

The official opposition launched a verbal attack on the Ontario government whileWynnelooked on.

Wildrosefinance critic DerekFildebrandtcriticized Ontario's spending andemissions plan, demandingto know why SaskatchewanPremier Brad Wallhadn't been invited to Alberta.

Nenshi calls MLA'childish and petulant'

"Invite Premier Wall here! Invite Premier Wall,"Fildebrandtshouted at Alberta's premier as RachelNotleytried to answer a question. At one point government house leader Brian Mason looked across the aisle atFildebrandtand said, "You are so tacky."

Nenshi saysFildebrandt was being childish and petulant.

"I was quite shocked to see the so-called shadow finance minister, who has yet to reveal any shadow budget or really any ideas whatsoever about the province, treat a guest in that manner and I did apologize," said Nenshi.

Nenshi says when items of national importance like pipelines are under discussion, guests should be treated with courtesy.

Fildebrandt held up Ontario as an example of what not to do in government as Alberta moves to rack up high debt loads to pay for capital and operating spending.

"Currently Ontario has the largest subnational sovereign debt on the planet," Fildebrandt told the house.

"They're now even receiving equalization payments. It's an example of what happens when a government fails to get its spending under control."

Gas emissions plan a failure, MLA says

Fildebrandt labelled Ontario's greenhouse gas emissions plan a failure and demanded to know if Notley supported it. Notley eventually had enough.

"In the past, when Alberta has actually been able to play a leadership role in the country, they have done so by being grown-ups," she said.

"Just today we havedemonstrated to all Albertans very clearly why these folks over there [the Wildrose]are simply not ready to govern."

Earlier Thursday, Notley and Wynne announced a plan towork together on climate change and renewable energy use.

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