SASKATOON – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall both say they have had a productive meeting about a number of issues, including pipelines, EI and more funding for First Nations.
The two men emerged Wednesday from behind closed doors in Saskatoon to talk to the media.
Trudeau did not take questions but called it “a wonderfully positive meeting” while Wall said he was “grateful” for the prime minister’s visit to the province.
Wall said Trudeau assured him the federal government is committed to reducing the gap between what the province provides in education funding off-reserve and what Ottawa pays for on-reserve.
READ MORE: Trudeau pushes back on pipeline criticism during Saskatchewan trip
They also discussed the sections of Saskatchewan that were left out of increases to Employment Insurance payments, and Wall said he will take Trudeau “at his word” that the situation is being monitored and there might be a chance of extending the benefits.
Wall also said he was “encouraged” by Trudeau’s agreement that Canadian oil needs to get to tidewater, and that there needs to be national co-operation on the question of how to get pipelines approved.