EDMONTON — Politicians from Alberta and Saskatchewan are heading to Minnesota to advocate for trade and strong relationships at the annual Midwestern Legislative Conference in Saint Paul next week.

The Alberta government says one of its legislature members is attending, while six from Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe’s caucus are making the trip.

An itinerary says Jennifer Johnson, a backbencher in Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative Party caucus, is set to meet with unnamed U.S. legislators, government officials and business leaders.

The Alberta government says lawmakers from 11 U.S. states are to attend the conference, which starts Sunday and runs until Wednesday, and that Johnson will be advocating for Alberta’s interests and shared priorities around energy, trade and agriculture.

The trip comes after trade talks between Canada and the United States broke down last week, kick-starting a heated trade war.

Smith has said she doesn’t want to see the trade dispute escalate further, and she’s pushing for Canadian officials to double down on diplomacy efforts south of the border.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said Wednesday he’s among those heading to the conference.

He said he attended another conference last month in Wisconsin, where everyone supported continuing with the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement.

“I would say that from an agriculture perspective, a lot of the states are onside,” Marit said.

Also attending from Saskatchewan is Rural Health Minister Lori Carr, legislature speaker Todd Goudy and three Saskatchewan Party backbenchers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2026.

— With files from Jeremy Simes in Regina

Jack Farrell, The Canadian Press