By Sarah Mills/CJME

Premier Brad Wall ready to work with new Manitoba counterpart

Apr 20, 2016 | 7:33 PM

Premier Brad Wall is back to work with a number of issues on his agenda.

On Wednesday afternoon he spent time speaking with his new Manitoba counterpart, Brian Pallister.

The Progressive Conservative won in a landslide victory Tuesday against the NDP which has stayed in power since 1999.

Pallister is looking to join the New West Partnership, the trade agreement that exists between the western provinces.

Wall joked his new colleague might not qualify the height requirements – Pallister is a lofty 6′ 8″.

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But Wall maintains there is a big benefit to the partnership expanding.

“We’ve had some procurement disagreements with Manitoba that would have been solved if they were part of the New West Partnership,” he explained. “The provinces have been quietly working to have a stronger and freer trade relationship between all of the provinces and I hope that will continue with premier Pallister.”

PROVINCE LOOKING INTO POT LEGALIZATION AFTER FEDERAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The federal government has also announced legislation to legalize marijuana next spring.

The C.D.Howe Institute suggests the provinces should have the control on how pot is sold, taxed and regulated.

Wall has people in the Ministries of Justice and Corrections and Policing looking into the issue.

“There should be much that we can learn from the US experience, and I have them report back to cabinet on what they have found,” Wall confirmed.

“Before we engage formally on the issue with the federal government, we should be as informed as we possibly can be, especially when there has been this major pilot project just south of the border there.”