WINNIPEG - Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says he won't push other provinces to follow his government's lead and commit to funding clinical trials of a new operation giving hope to people with multiple sclerosis.

Wall has said that his government is ready to help pay for clinical trials of the so-called liberation treatment developed by an Italian doctor, despite recent studies that say the theory is unproven.

The Saskatchewan premier raised the idea with his counterparts at the annual premiers meeting in Winnipeg on Thursday, but said he wasn't being pushy.

"I'm not going to be urging anyone to do the clinical trials. I've had some informal discussions with some premiers already and I think there's a lot of interest in some general co-operation on MS, especially out West where the incidence is particularly high," said Wall.

"We welcome all partnerships but we're not going to be urging anyone to do anything."

MS was not on the formal agenda at the premiers meeting, although several weighed in on the Saskatchewan idea.

Wall said Yukon Premier Dennis Fentie wants his health minister to talk to Saskatchewan's health minister about the potential for clinical trials. P.E.I. Premier Robert Ghiz said clinical trials would be important and the federal government should "step up to the plate."

"We need to go through the proper processes to make sure that it is safe and that it does function," said Ghiz.

"I'm happy to see that Premier Wall has said if there's a concrete proposal that comes his way, he would look to fund it. I think that's very admirable. I also think though that it's the federal government's responsibility."

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty said Saskatchewan's offer to fund clinical trials is good news. But McGuinty said there needs to be more information on the effectiveness of the treatment before Ontario follows suit.

"I'm proud of the fact that Saskatchewan wants to participate in clinical trials. I think it's going to provide us with more information," said McGuinty. "I know they're doing some research at McMaster University (in Hamilton) and I've offered to Brad if there's anything that we might do to participate in that, I think that will be helpful to all of us.

"The fact of the matter is there are a lot of families here in Canada and around the world that have been affected by this terrible disease and I know that we're all looking for some effective treatment."

MS is a chronic, progressive disease of the nervous system that can affect vision, hearing, memory, balance and mobility. There is no cure.

The treatment is based on a theory -- first put forward by Italian doctor Paolo Zamboni -- that blocked veins in the neck or spinal cord are to blame for MS. Clinics in Poland, Bulgaria and India are opening blockages for patients who have flocked from Canada and other countries in the last few months.

Some patients have posted testimonials on websites, in chat rooms and in YouTube videos, saying the procedure has reduced their symptoms. That has created political pressure to have the treatment provided in Canada.

However, two recent studies have cast doubt on the effectiveness of the treatment.

Wall said Thursday those findings don't change his position. He noted that Saskatchewan has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis among provinces. Some 3,500 residents are affected by it.

"We are still saying, absolutely, if we get a proposal from the research community -- we will take our cues from the experts -- but if we get that proposal we will fund clinical trials."

Michelle Walsh, of Beechy, Sask., received the treatment in Bulgaria last month. She said she's proud that Wall is pursuing clinical trials.

Walsh said she had experienced so much numbness in her arms and legs, that she couldn't tell if she'd burned herself. But on the operating table, she suddenly got a rush of sensation.

"I could feel the blood flowing from the top of my head right down to the tips of my toes," Walsh said in an interview from her home.

"I was very proud to have (such) a premier because no one else has really stood up for their MS patients in Canada."