British Columbia

Christy Clark calls Alberta a friend but not a good example

Premier Christy Clark says Alberta is B.C.'s best friend, but she doesn't want her province to fall into the same economic trap as her neighbour.

Premier says neighbouring province should be seen as cautionary tale

B.C. Premier Christy Clark speaks with the media following a meeting in Ottawa, Thursday, February 4, 2016. (Adrian Wyld/Canadian Press)

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark says Alberta is her province's best friend in the country, and its financial experience should be a cautionary tale for others.

The government's throne speech on Tuesday said that Alberta lost its focus, failed to diversify and never expected its resource boom to end.

Speaking at an event today in Vancouver, Clark says British Columbians should consider Alberta as it copes to control spending at the end of its oil boom.

But she also wants to make sure that British Columbia doesn't fall into the same trap.

The premier says when Alberta struggles, the rest of the country struggles.

On Wednesday, Alberta's economic development minister said he interprets the throne speech comments as an attack on that province's previous Conservative governments, not the current New Democrats.