Premiers from across Canada gathered in Edmonton, Alta. this week to attend Council of the Federation meetings, and to discuss serious issues taking over Canada.

Manitoba premier Brian Pallister said some of the main topics of discussion were Indigenous issues, how to save money through an initiative on procurement around healthcare, the 2018 deadline for the legalization of marijuana, and asylum seekers coming into the country.

The premier said he believes the meetings were progressive and productive.

Among many of the issues discussed, Pallister said the spread of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus was not one of them. Instead, he connected the transporation of pork to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

"Certainly I am always concerned with respect to [the international border] not getting thicken up. We've seen what can happen with other commodities over the years, and the United States' approach on trade has not always been friendly or supportive to our priorities," he said. Pallister added that his government is trying hard to prevent the derailment of the agriculture industry's ability to take advantage of NAFTA.

The legalization of marijuana was another key point of discussion. Pallister shared his concern on the topic, and he said he felt as if many of his fellow premiers agreed with him about the dangers of passing the policy.

Pallister called on the federal government to better assist the provinces in areas of road safety and enforcement mechanisms, preparation and training, taxation, cost coverage, public education campaigns, and how the legalization of marijuana will affect non-users. The premier said he does not think the provinces have been given enough time to analyze the policy and to determine details before the federal government's anticipated deadline for next year.

"These discussions need to be undertaken. We reiterated ... that federal engagement and information sharing is essential if we're going to be able to move ahead with the timelines the prime minister has imposed on us ... the premiers have said unanimously that we're going to have to have an extension of this deadline," said Pallister.