Stelmach will stress the importance of looking at energy, the environment and the economy together as each piece is inextricably linked to the other; a view he is currently sharing at the Western Governors’ Association meeting in Park City, Utah.

“Whether it is Canadian policy or U.S. policy, the days of looking at energy, the environment and the economy in silos are over,” said Stelmach. “We have a challenging, but achievable, task of ensuring our economies pull out of this current global recession, that we produce the energy our economies require and that we protect our environment for generations to come.”

During the two-day meeting, Stelmach will update his colleagues on Alberta’s advancements with carbon capture and storage, and outline the importance of the federal government actively engaging all provinces before entering climate change discussion with the U.S. Stelmach also plans to discuss the growing “buy American” protectionism emanating out of Washington.

“It is unnerving to see the ‘buy American’ position gaining more and more steam,” said Stelmach. “Free trade and open competition are important for companies on both sides of the border. The U.S. is Canada’s largest market, but it is often missed that Canada is the U.S.’s largest market as well.”   

Other topics to be discussed at the meeting include western competiveness, safe communities and gang violence.