Quebec’s rookie premier, Philippe Couillard, made his presence felt at his first meeting with Canada’s other premiers, agreeing Friday to have his province join in the development of a national energy strategy that had been stalled by a previous separatist government.

Couillard, among 13 provincial and territorial leaders attending an annual meeting in Charlottetown, said at the conclusion of the conference that he had concerns about joining the Canadian Energy Strategy, which has been championed by Alberta for years.

However, he said the other premiers were quick to address his questions about jurisdiction and the strategy’s link to climate change.

“We had excellent collaboration from all our colleagues,” Couillard told a news conference, where several premiers waxed eloquent about working with the mild-mannered, federalist premier.

“Having all provinces involved, strengthens our individual provinces and the country,” said Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Couillard stressed that the strategy has to focus on the impact of climate change.

The document’s objectives specifically state that the strategy must be “consistent with efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions” and “addressing climate change and moving toward a lower carbon economy” through carbon pricing and carbon storage.

“For Canadians, on top of having a greater guarantee of a sustainable environment, it’s also that we want Canadians to have access to energy of all kinds,” Couillard said. “We made the essential link between the environment and an energy strategy.”

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