Quebec Premier Jean Charest arrives at Government House in the rain prior to a premiers meeting in Regina. (Troy Fleece/Canadian Press)

Canada's premiers are calling on the federal government to bolster innovation and technology by ensuring they don't stifle research and development by taking away provincial tax benefits to companies.

Wrapping up their three-day annual conference in Regina, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said the premiers agreed that Ottawa has to ensure tax incentives for research and development are harmonized with provincial tax incentives for research and development.

"And they don't claw back the benefits that provinces are trying to create for companies that will risk their venture capital in terms of innovation," said Wall, who hosted the conference.

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said the federal government could be doing more to purse the "innovation agenda."

"I'm not sure they get it when it comes innovation. I'm not sure they fully understand that every single day Canadians working in laboratories or garages or basements are working on ideas which we ought to find a better way to help commercialize and turn into jobs."

The premiers also agreed a new strategy is needed to look into how water is managed in the country.

“We couldn't really think of any resource as important for the present or future of this country as water," Wall said.

"To the extent we can work together and co-operate and make sure we're protecting and managing that water resource — we've agreed to do that.”

The premiers also said there could be a role for the government to ensure labelling on efficiency when it comes to water appliances to promote conservation.

Earlier, the premiers said action must be taken on pensions in Canada, and called on the federal government to host a pension review summit.

The leaders said they are concerned that the majority of Canadians who make $100,000 or less will not have sufficient funds to retire, including a vast number of baby boomers who are reaching retirement age in the coming years.

But they have differing opinions on how to tackle the issue and whether provinces should offer increased public pensions, new tax credits to encourage savings or other measures.

Finance ministers are being tasked with coming up with suggestions by the year's end. Premiers want the federal government to then hold a pension review summit, which would include federal and provincial representatives, along with private pension companies and banks.

They also agreed that the employment insurance system needs to be revamped, but stopped short of saying what specifically needs to be done, placing the issue back in the hands of the federal government.

Currently, there are 58 qualifying standards for EI, depending on local unemployment rates. Those in regions with the highest unemployment require as little as 420 hours of work to qualify, while those in low unemployment areas require as much as 700 hours.

The premiers are hoping to come up with more uniform requirements.

But the leaders were in agreement in their opposition to the Buy American provision in the U.S. economic stimulus package and their support of the federal government in its efforts to exempt Canada from the controversial policy.

The message from the premiers comes as Prime Minister Stephen Harper prepares for a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama in Mexico on Sunday.

The Buy American provision gives priority to U.S. iron, steel and other manufactured goods for use in public works and building projects funded with recovery money.

With files from The Canadian Press