DAWSON CITY, Yukon — The premiers of Canada’s Western provinces and territories begin a two-day summit today to discuss issues such as trade, agriculture and health.

It will be followed up with discussions June 6 with U.S. governors from Alaska and Wyoming where trade and border crossing issues will top the list of priorities.

“It’s important for western premiers to find ways to work together to address these important issues,” says Manitoba Premier, Gary Doer, of the 2002 Western Premiers’ Conference.

Also attending the third day of talks will be Canadian Ambassador to the U.S., Michael Kergin and U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci. The softwood lumber dispute and the U.S. Farm Bill will surely be hot topics of conversation when the talk turns to trade with the U.S.