Premier Tony Wakeham answers questions at TechNL conference

From heating homes to putting food on the table, you don't have to go far to hear people talk about struggles in this province. Actions Wakeham says are coming in the form of new policies. As Wakeham joins Carney in celebrating a win for the nation with big feelings here, Alberta's vote to stick with Canada. You know, our province has a strong connection with Alberta. We joke sometimes that there's as many people from Newfoundland and Labrador living in Alberta as there is living in our province. And so that connection has always been there. And I will say this, that as a country, I think we have more that unites us than divides us. This says divisions between the province and First Nation Innu Nation remain unsettled. Right now, our negotiating team is in Ottawa with Innu Nation and the current negotiations are underway in terms of working with the federal government, ourselves, and Innu Nation. Premier Wakeham says he will be in Ottawa next week for the First Nation's First Minister meeting. AFN backed Innu Nation this summer, but it's unclear if the First Nation's timeline dispute will be on the table. But it is clear the mega-energy deal concerning both nations is fueling Wakeham's hopes for this province's future and Quebec's. Hydro and Quebec Hydro have both been talking back and forth, and obviously those will kick-start now. And, you know, as I said, I've had one meeting or one discussion with the Premier of Quebec, which was very positive, and I look forward to more. It's an exciting time to be in this environment, and I'll have a good one. And the politics of that excitement will be unleashed here in a matter of days as Wakeham's government steps into year two. The house opens on Monday. Leila Beaudoin, CBC News, St. John's.