B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference in Richmond, B.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. Infrastructure is taking centre stage as Canada's western premiers meet in Whistler today. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
WHISTLER, B.C. – Premiers from Western Canada say they are “extremely disappointed” in the federal government for not passing reforms to the bail system to target repeat offenders before Parliament rose last week for the summer.
Speaking at the conclusion of the western premiers’ conference in Whistler, B.C., host Premier David Eby urged the federal government to prioritize passing the bill that would amend the Criminal Code as soon as possible.
Leaders from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories were attending the daylong conference.
Eby and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also say the provinces and the territories want “equivalency” in federal funding for programs such as immigration and infrastructure, so that each jurisdiction can address their own challenges.
Eby says B.C. has not received its fair share of funding, and he called for more per-capita federal support in critical areas including housing, transportation and trade.
The premiers say they are able to present a united front on a number of issues despite coming from different political parties and jurisdictions because they all feel the federal government could be doing much more to support the region in its physical, economic and social development.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2023.
