Premiers plan western trade mission

The next trade mission by Atlantic Canada's premiers won't even take them out of the country. They're heading to Alberta.

A trade trip to Alberta was one of several items on the agenda at the Atlantic premiers meeting Wednesday in St. John's.

"We're going to work collectively in this regard and we hope to go to Alberta early in the New Year," said P.E.I. Premier Pat Binns.

"The four premiers will meet, hopefully, with the premier of Alberta and talk to companies about ways we can help solve each other's problems. Obviously, Alberta needs more goods, needs more services, and we think we can supply more of those from here."

Binns said P.E.I. is already working on selling goods and services to Alberta, but this will be a more regional approach.

Other items on the agenda included coming up with ways to increase immigration to the Atlantic provinces, and federal equalization payments.