The federal government needs to work with the provinces and territories to develop a national strategy for establishing transportation gateways, says Premier Dennis Fentie.

He attended the western premiers' conference in Lloydminister, Alta., last week. The premiers resolved to push for new infrastructure to better provide for road, rail and air gateways throughout the West over the next 10 years, Fentie told local reporters by phone.

The premiers will be asking Ottawa for an additional $15 billion in funding to move forward on various projects over the next decade.

The conference was meant to provide a forum of discussion for the premiers to decide on issues to push for together on the national stage.

The discussion regarding transportation comes following announcements that the Yukon government will be providing funding for a joint study on the feasibility of a railway to Alaska.

The federal government has not committed any money to the project. Nor has the British Columbia government, even though the link would have to attach to railheads in the province.

Despite the lack of commitment on several fronts, the premier told reporters he received a great deal of support at the conference regarding going forward with the feasibility study.

Energy was also a key part of the premiers' discussion.

Fentie said knowing the future of the Mackenzie Valley pipeline and the Alaska Highway pipeline are important to the economic strategy of the provinces and that it's the federal government's responsibility to work toward providing regulatory certainty on the projects.

Discussion regarding the growing problem of crystal meth use in all the provinces prompted Fentie to draw reference to the International Seminar on Youth Substance Abuse which began today and will end Wednesday in Whitehorse.

He said the Yukon is already taking progressive actions regarding treatment and prevention of substance abuse. However, a penalty regime needs to be developed that's fitting for that particular type of substance.

The premiers also discussed the natural disaster pine beetles are creating, emerging trade markets in Asia and post-secondary education in regards to skills and trade.

The three-day discussion was positive, said Fentie.

Territorial and provincial ministers are now expected to communicate with their federal counterparts on the various issues discussed.

The next western premiers' conference will be held in Gimli, Man., in June 2006.