Fresh off attending the annual Premiers’ Conference in Nova Scotia this week, Premier Ranj Pillai was full of enthusiasm over the discussions today.

It was a chance to return home for Pillai, who went to university in the province, and his parents still live there as well.

Speaking to The Yukon Star this morning, he rattled off a number of topics he was particularly excited about, although he was shy on details for many of them.

“This was a really collaborative opportunity for discussions,” Pillai said. “And Nova Scotia did an incredible job of hosting.”

He cited health, public safety, Arctic sovereignty and security as some of the topics he was particularly enthused about.

Pillai said he went to the conference to talk about matters he knew Yukoners had told him are important to them.

With health, he said he was impressed with the work Nova Scotia had done on its doctors registry, as well as talking about the need to reduce the costs for pharmacare.

Pillai also said he was very interested in the discussion on public safety, which he found very pertinent to the problems persisting in downtown Whitehorse around the shelter on Alexander Street.

“We want to make sure businesses downtown can thrive.”

He was dialed in on changes to the bail system across Canada. However, he sounded somewhat skeptical as to whether the changes – making it more difficult for alleged criminals involved in the drug trade and beyond to be granted bail – were being implemented.

As for Arctic safety and sovereignty, Pillai said he was pleased to see there is still growing momentum across the country for appreciating the economic and strategic importance of the North.

“There’s a tremendous amount of money moving into the North,” he said.

In the communiqué released by the premiers following the meeting, they highlighted the importance of “maintaining strong and mutually beneficial relations across North America, including strengthening Arctic security, maintaining well-functioning integrated supply chains, and continuing open, rules-based trade.

“Premiers will continue to work collaboratively with each other and the federal government to ensure U.S. leaders and policymakers are fully aware of the benefits of the unparalleled North American relationship.

“Premiers are strongly committed to representing provincial and territorial interests in that relationship, including communicating provincial and territorial jurisdiction over natural resources to our U.S. partners.”

Pillai emphasized the importance of such relationships. He pointed to an improved relationship with Alaska, which will provide more money for repairs to the North Alaska Highway, as previously announced.

The premiers added in their statement, “Key priorities that have been discussed include housing, affordability and skills training; strategic infrastructure; the future of energy; and emergency preparedness and response. 

“Several premiers have expressed frustration over what they say is a lack of teamwork from the federal government on important files.”