Sask. Premier Scott Moe reiterates call to strengthen border, drug penalties in light of tariffs

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and NDP Leader Carla Beck both expressed disappointment and dismay at U.S. President Trump's decision to charge a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods and a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy entering the United States.

While Beck stated that she'll be focused on the damage brought by American lawmakers, Moe focused on the need for Canada to combat fentanyl smuggling and illegal migration — the issues highlighted by the American president as reasons for the tariffs.

"The decision by President Trump to impose tariffs on all Canadian products is disappointing and will damage both our countries' economies, workers and consumers," said Moe in a post on X on Saturday night. 

"I am calling on the federal government to strengthen the Criminal Code of Canada to toughen penalties for drug offences, specifically fentanyl."

The premier also said that he's supportive of targeted retaliatory measures in response to the tariffs, but that they shouldn't be seen as long-term solutions. 

Moe's statements on border security come after similar comments he made on Jan. 31. At a press conference introducing Saskatchewan's new lieutenant governor, Moe stated that while concerns related to drug smuggling, illegal migration and military spending had been raised by Trump, they are "important to Canadians as well."

"We would also ask the federal government to address the priorities that President Trump has raised in removing fentanyl, removing the potential of illegal migrants," he said. 

"We had made a commitment as Canadians to invest in our military, NATO commitment of two per cent our economy, and we should keep our commitments."

In January, the Saskatchewan government announced plans to add an additional 16 police officers to the border with the United States, drawing from other departments. The plan also allocated more police equipment to the area, including drones and three surveillance airplanes.

Beck calls for legislature to meet

Beck, speaking from her office at the Saskatchewan Legislature, stated that her focus will be on communicating to American lawmakers how damaging the tariffs will be. 

"These tariffs are going to be devastating to people on both sides of the border," she said. "There isn't anyone who wins in a trade war."

Beck is also calling for the legislature to be reconvened at the earliest day possible.

"We're going to be here Monday," she said.

Currently, the legislative assembly isn't scheduled to return until March.

Food prices could rise

Dr. Stuart Smyth, a professor of agriculture and resource economics at the University of Saskatchewan and one of the co-authors of Canada's 2025 Food Price Report, said that the move will generate significant fluctuations in the market.

"By the middle of the week or next weekend, fruits and vegetable prices could be as much as 30 per cent higher than they are today," said Smyth.

"The value of the Canadian dollar has been dropping, so if you put a 25 per cent tariff on a product, suddenly it's one third more expensive than it was today."

Smyth also noted that the vast majority of fresh produce like lettuce, vegetables, oranges and some other fruits are imported from the U.S.

"Probably for most of February things are going to be in considerable flux as the markets try to rebalance and re-strategize as to what is the cheapest source of inputs and where can those be sourced." 

Shoppers outside of Costco in Saskatoon on Sunday were wary of the potential price changes, and ready to change their shopping habits. 

Juliane Schultz has been stocking up on perishable items, and is frustrated with how the tariffs have developed. 

"I think it's very unnecessary and very confusing," she said. "I just think in general my expenses will rise again, even though I felt like everything just went down."

Moayad Al Houssain, who only shops once a week, hasn't noticed price changes yet, but hopes that this will push the Canadian government to better diversify its food imports. 

"We'll try as much as possible to go with Canadian products," he said. "Hopefully our government will have a measure in place to reduce the effect on Canadian families."

"It's a lesson learned for them: we don't have to rely completely on American products."

On Saturday evening, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada would be retaliating with tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods in the coming days.