B.C.'s Christy Clark won't be on hand today when other western premiers get down to business at a hotel in Edmonton to discuss energy, labour and other issues of mutual interest.

Clark says she's too busy doing her office estimates in the legislature to attend, but that she's made her concerns known about a national energy strategy, one of the issues at the meeting.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford is hosting the annual get-together of representatives of the four western provinces and three territories.

Redford says she will push hard on her plan for a Canadian energy strategy.

Redford says she wants to see a framework for all regions to work as one to develop, market and protect Canada's energy resources.

Clark says while she supports energy co-ordination among the provinces, she wants to be cautious about a national plan that would impede provincial jurisdiction.

Jobs Minister Pat Bell will represent B.C. at the meeting.

Redford has said the meeting may also talk about the recent controversial remarks by federal NDP Leader Tom Mulcair.

Mulcair has said the booming resource sectors of the west are having a boomerang effect, driving down jobs and investment in the manufacturing centres of central Canada.

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