Alta. premier to meet Pelosi over oilsands

Premier Ed Stelmach is scheduled to meet with the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, next Wednesday in Ottawa.

The powerful U.S. Democrat is a key figure in the debate over energy resources and she wants to know more about the Alberta oilsands.

Stelmach was contacted recently by U.S. Ambassador David Jacobson, who asked the premier if he would like to meet with her.

"The opportunity to sit down with the Speaker directly and talk about some of these issues in an open and frank way — cut through some of the rhetoric that's out there and deal directly with fact — it's an incredible opportunity for us," Stelmach spokesman Jerry Bellikka said.

Pelosi isn't just meeting with Stelmach.

Pembina involved

Marlo Raynolds, the executive director of environmental think-tank Pembina Institute, has been invited to join a round-table discussion with Pelosi on Thursday along with other non-governmental organizations and First Nations groups.

"I think this is probably one of the most important meetings that the Pembina Institute has been invited to," he said.

Raynolds hopes to brief Pelosi on Alberta and Canada's environmental policies related to the oilsands.

Two other Canadian premiers have also been invited to meet with Pelosi: Saskatchewan's Brad Wall and Quebec's Jean Charest.

Pelosi is scheduled to be in Ottawa to attend a two-day conference of legislative speakers from G8 countries.