Premier Kathleen Wynne says it’s difficult to get things accomplished nationally when Prime Minister Stephen Harper stands in the way of constructive relations between the provinces and Ottawa.

As the premiers head to P.E.I. next week for their annual gathering to discuss matters of common concern, the federal government, and in particular Harper, are expected to loom large on the agenda.

“Stephen Harper has chosen to deal with the . . . provinces one at a time as opposed to dealing with us in any kind of collective way,” Wynne, outgoing chair of the Council of the Federation, told the Star Friday.

While the provinces will undoubtedly discuss the need for a national infrastructure strategy, Ottawa has made it clear that balancing the federal books supersedes sending more money to the provinces at this time.

“I would prefer if Stephen Harper would come to the table and meet with the premiers as a group and hear our vision on a whole range of issues. I think that would be better for the country and I think it would be better for each of the provinces,” the premier said.

“As long as he chooses not to do that then there are going to be issues where we have conflict as a province,” she said, adding she can only surmise that Harper’s divide-and-conquer tactic is designed for him to somehow come out on top.

Wynne has called for $12 billion a year in infrastructure funding from the federal government — more than four times what Ontario gets now — and reiterated that provinces need “stable and predictable” aid on that front to upgrade transit systems, roads, bridges, water and sewage treatment facilities.

Finance Minister Joe Oliver has scoffed at the request, saying Ottawa has been more than generous in its spending on infrastructure projects in Ontario.

Wynne said all Canadians benefit when Ottawa and the provinces work together.

“I think a national vision (is important) on how we are going to advance our economic well-being. I think a Canadian energy strategy is a very important part of that national vision and we will be talking at the meeting of the premiers about a Canadian energy strategy,” she said.

Wynne said provinces all have their problems finding the money for ever-increasing infrastructure needs.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are in the Northwest Territories where there are 300 fires burning or whether it is flooding in Alberta, flooding in Manitoba, tornadoes in Ontario, every province is dealing with infrastructure that is necessary in order to deal with climate change for example,” she said.

“So having a national discussion about predictable, stable infrastructure investment (is) something that would be in the national interest.”

Wynne noted there will be a meeting in Charlottetown with national aboriginal leaders before the premiers’ meeting to discuss ways to support the First Nations.

“That is an important national discussion and again it’s one that the Prime Minister hasn’t engaged with us on as premiers and in fact has pushed back,” she said, noting his refusal to hold a national inquiry into Canada’s missing and murdered aboriginal women.

Wynne said despite the fact that Harper seems to be at war with Ontario in particular, “I will never give up trying to have a rational and collegial discussion with the federal government, no matter what their response is.”

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

Wynne also saved a broadside for Oliver and his ongoing criticism of Ontario’s debt and deficit.

“I don’t think it is responsible for the finance minister to chose to attack the agenda of a province, particularly a province that he represents,” she said referring to the Conservative MP for Eglinton-Lawrence.

“If Joe Oliver thinks that doing war with Ontario and Quebec is a way to build the country up (then) I think he is dead wrong.”

Read more about: