Alta. premier to meet Pelosi over oilsands

Premier Ed Stelmach is scheduled tomeet with the Speaker of theU.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi,next Wednesdayin Ottawa.

The powerful U.S. Democrat is a key figure in the debate over energy resources and shewants to know more about the Alberta oilsands.

Stelmach was contacted recently by U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson, who asked the premier if he would like to meetwith her.

"The opportunity to sit down with the Speaker directly and talk about some of these issues in an open and frank way cut through some of the rhetoric that's out there and deal directly with fact it's an incredible opportunity for us," Stelmach spokesman Jerry Bellikka said.

Pelosi isn't just meeting with Stelmach.

Pembina involved

Marlo Raynolds, the executive director ofenvironmental think-tank Pembina Institute, has been invited to join a round-table discussion withPelosi on Thursday along with other non-governmental organizations and First Nations groups.

"I think this is probably one of the most important meetings that the Pembina Institute has been invited to," he said.

Raynolds hopes to briefPelosi on Alberta and Canada's environmental policies related to the oilsands.

Two other Canadian premiers have also been invited to meet with Pelosi: Saskatchewan's Brad Wall and Quebec's Jean Charest.

Pelosi is scheduled to be in Ottawa to attend a two-day conference of legislative speakers from G8 countries.