DAWSON CITY - Canada's western premiers are pitching free trade as the shining light out of the recession and the alternative to the "Buy America" stance south of the border.

The western premiers are gathering in Dawson, where strengthening economic competitiveness and ensuring a responsible energy future were expected to be major issues during official meetings that began today.

The annual Western Premiers' Conference is being attended by the leaders of Canada's four western provinces and three northern territories.

Premier Dennis Fentie, whose government is hosting the forum for the first time since 2002, the year he won his first election, said the conference is an excellent way to strengthen relationships among neighbouring jurisdictions.

"Our continued commitment to work together through meetings such as this will help our governments build competitiveness and address long-term economic development," Fentie said.

Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach stressed the importance of strengthening Western Canada's economic relations with the United States at a time when the Obama administration is enforcing a "Buy America" policy.

"It is unnerving to see the 'Buy American' position gaining more and more steam," Stelmach said.

"Free trade and open competition are important for companies on both sides of the border."

B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell seconded that thought, and said the best way around trade restrictions is to demonstrate why they don't work.

"Let's have open and free trade in Canada first and we can show people how it works to their benefit," Campbell said.

He added that Canada needs to drop regulations that restrict open trade within its own borders before voicing concerns about the Americans.

"It's time for us to look at how we can speak with one voice on the big issues that we confront whether they're the environment, whether it's employment insurance, whether it's trade," said Campbell.

"We can talk to the Americans about whether they shouldn't have a 'Buy American' policy, but the way to have real resonance behind that is for us to not to have a 'Buy Manitoba' policy or a 'Buy New Brunswick' policy."

Stelmach said he plans to share Alberta's vision for how the West can emerge from the current global slowdown stronger and more prosperous.

"It is clear Western Canada's energy resources put us in the best position to lead the country's economic recovery and growth," Stelmach said.

The premier said energy will be an important part of his platform during the two-day meeting.

"We have a challenging, but achievable, task of ensuring our economies pull out of this current global recession, that we produce the energy our economies require and that we protect our environment for generations to come," Stelmach said.

Manitoba Premier Gary Doer said he, too, plans to focus on energy during the conference.

"Trade, energy and climate change - these are areas where we face serious challenges today and which are absolutely critical to the prosperity of our province," Doer said.

But despite the economic focus, the premiers were in jovial moods as they arrived in Dawson, where the sun will barely set during some of the brightest days of the year.

Fentie congratulated Campbell on his third straight majority election win last month, to which Campbell replied, "I'm feeling very relaxed, Dennis."

"It sure is relaxing when you win three elections in a row," shot back Fentie, who has won two in a row.

By SUNNY DHILLON

and DIRK MEISSNER

The Canadian Press