Western premiers ask federal government for $1B spend on infrastructure

The premiers of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan are asking the federal government to direct over $1 billion to their provinces, for a variety of transportation related infrastructure needs.

The trio, Christy Clark, Brad Wall and Jim Prentice, met in Regina Wednesday evening and Thursday.

The three provinces, which have formed a working group called the New West Partnership, said federal spending on transportation needs, from ports to railways, would help boost their economies.

Transportation was on the top of their list of agenda items, especially considering the experiences at the end of last year's harvest when railway backlogs plagued the Prairies.

Western Canadian farmers harvested a record crop of grain but it caused a railway transportation bottleneck in the spring.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said Thursday a wide-ranging group of stakeholders came together to have a "frank discussion" for the meetings.

He said the provinces are committed to improving transport in the Asia-Pacific corridor due to growing trade with Asia.

The New West Partnership was created in 2010 and is an agreement between Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.