Premier says resources provincial responsibility

Premier Brad Wall is reminding Ottawa that natural resources are under provincial jurisdiction.

Wall raised the issue during a meeting Tuesday in Regina with federal Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.

The premier says he wanted clarification because resource revenue sharing was on the agenda when First Nations leaders met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper last week.

Wall says Saskatchewan wants to quote — "restate and make it clear" — that the provinces have control of resources under the Constitution.

He says any discussion going forward needs provincial input. One of the things First Nations protesters have been asking for is a different way of sharing the bounty from natural resource extraction.

(The Canadian Press)

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall has praise for the founders of Idle No More — but also a bit of a warning for chiefs that they may see less money in future.

Speaking to reporters in Regina Wednesday, Wall says the founders of the 'Idle' movement have been positive and constructive by discouraging blockades and encouraging peaceful protest.

But Wall also said groups like the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations can expect less money to facilitate meetings in future.

That money will go elsewhere, he said.

Wall said he's willing to spend more money on concrete projects that help First Nations people get jobs.

"What's missing is direct action that government can be a part of, that would link First Nations people with the opportunities that exist both for training and for jobs; it might be something as basic as single window access to services," he said.

Wall said the FSIN has been told the government will be a willing partner in projects that are about results in education and employment. Those projects could come from the federation, tribal councils or post-secondary institutions, he said.

(With files from Canadian Press)