The western premiers are promising to push ahead with plans for a national energy strategy, improved infrastructure, and changes to immigration and job training programs.

That agenda was set as they wrapped up their Western premiers' meeting in Edmonton. They said they will take those plans to a national premiers' meeting in July.

Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski chaired some of the discussion on infrastructure planning. He said it is important to co-ordinate those plans across provincial and territorial boundaries.

“We talked about the role of the federal government as well in ensuring that any funding that they do needs to be stable, predictable — but flexible as well," he said.

"And we need to ensure that when they do come to the table, if they do come to the table, that they are working with us because it is really the provinces and the territories that collectively know where the opportunities are for strategic investment and infrastructure."

N.W.T. Premier Bob McLeod said he'd like to see plans for developing oil and gas in the Northwest Territories included in a future strategy.

“There is a sense of urgency if we are going to access the Asian market, because the situation is very fluid," he said.

"Right now it looks like if we don't get there ahead of Australia or Qatar, it may be very difficult to access that market.”

McLeod said the government's priority is still the Mackenzie Gas Project, but he said low natural gas prices mean the government is keeping all its options open, including the idea of selling liquid natural gas.

He said a national strategy would help the territory reach its resource goals.

Environmental reviews also hot topic

Pasloski said the other premiers were also talking about something the Yukon already has — an efficient environmental assessment process for development.

“What they're talking about is to get themselves closer to a program that we already have right now,” he said.

McLeod has talked repeatedly about the need for a more streamlined environmental review process without as much red tape.

The premiers also promised to work to ease a shortage of skilled labour with changes to immigration and job training programs.

Networking also key to meeting, says Pasloski

Pasloski said he's coming away from the meeting with some important phone numbers.

“It is about building relationships so you know when you do have questions or you are looking for an opportunity to work together, you can pick up the phone and you can talk to the premiers in western Canada and this meeting really helps facilitate that,” he said.

Pasloski has been asked to chair some discussions at a national premiers' meeting in July.