He won't be joining them around the table, but federal NDP leader Thomas Mulcair will be discussed by Premier Brad Wall and his western counterparts at their annual meeting in Edmtonton.

Mulcair recently said the success of the western energy sector was driving up the dollar which hurts struggling manufacturers in eastern Canada.

Wall wants a united front to clear up what he calls those misconceptions.

"We can always work harder to try to communicate the benefits to the rest of the country of not just energy but natural resource development and how it does create manufacturing jobs not just here but across the country," said Wall.

It is hoped the meeting will end with a collective approach to advancing western Canada's energy and resource sector around the world and more collaboration on lobbying.

Wall is also putting immigration on the agenda in the hopes the provinces can take on more of a partnership with the federal government. The government is pushing to have the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program increased from 4,000 a year to 6,000. So far the answer is no from Ottawa, but if Saskatchewan can do more, Wall wants to sdee that happen.

"I would say to them, if you need some help processing these, we will do it, because we need these citizens coming to Saskatchewan," said Wall.

Ironically, while the western premiers meet in Edmonton, Mulcair is actually in Alberta for a two-day trip, including a visit to the oilsands.

Edited by CJME's Karen Brownlee.