levels to about 317,000 annually in five or six years, he said. Several other provinces are seeking more immigrants and more control over their selection. Mr. Kenney responded by saying that the Conservative government has already overseen a significant increase in the provincial immigration stream. "Speaking for the federal government, we don't want to completely cede our role in selecting immigrants. We believe immigration is not just about addressing regional labour-market needs, it's also about nation building," Mr. Kenney said. Mr. Kenney was under public pressure not only from Ontario but from Saskatchewan, which is asking for an increase of 50 per cent in its provincial nominee program to keep up with the labour needs of its booming economy. Alberta, which has a similarly booming economy, sounded a more conciliatory note by playing down its demands, at least in public. Alberta's Enterprise Minister Stephen Khan spoke about the need for national co-operation and took on a role that was once more closely associated with Ontario. "We're like everybody, we want more. But I think Minister Kenney has been very clear on where they sit on this issue, so we're going to be good federal partners, good partners in Confederation, and we'll find a way to meet our labour-market needs in the current framework," Mr. Khan said. The provincial ministers lent their support to the new Expression of Interest system that will reshape Canadian immigration once it is implemented in late 2014. The new process is modelled on that of New