Sask. premier, Opposition leader say province's tariff troubles need more election attention
Premier Scott Moe says Chinese tariffs an urgent threat to province
In a rare instance of political solidarity, the Saskatchewan government and provincial Opposition agreed on something Tuesday — that the federal election campaign has not had enough focus on the country's bread basket and its trade relationships.
Premier Scott Moe and Opposition Leader Carla Beck spoke with reporters separately at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Food, Fuel, Fertilizer Global Summit in Regina. In a news release about the summit, Moe called the province "vital" to food and energy security around the world.
"There should be more discussion with respect not only to the economic contributions that the Prairie provinces make to the entirety of Canada, but more discussion on how we're going to expand the industries that are creating wealth here," Moe told reporters at the summit.
Moe also said he is hoping that, even during the federal election campaign, Ottawa is in talks with the Chinese government to address recent tariffs on some crops, canola oil and pork from Canada.
"This is the most urgent tariff threat that we have in the province of Saskatchewan, notwithstanding the concerns that the world is seeing with the changes that Donald Trump is making," he said.
Moe also said expanding trade connections abroad should be an ongoing priority for whichever government takes office.
Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck agreed that the federal government should keep Saskatchewan in mind.
"I think it's incumbent on all of those leaders — political leaders, leaders in the business community — to impress on all of those who are running to be the prime minister that these [tariffs] are incredibly impactful, certainly here on the Prairies," Beck said.
Like Moe, Beck said trade relationships should expand to broader worldwide markets and that federal leaders could pay more attention to Saskatchewan on the campaign trail.
"It is disappointing that we haven't seen more attention placed on this province," Beck said.
CBC contacted all federal parties to respond to Saskatchewan's leaders's concerns.
In an emailed statement Tuesday afternoon, an NDP spokesperson said, in part, "New Democrats believe trade should deliver real benefits for Prairie communities, not just big corporations."
Shortly after Moe and Beck's comments, CBC learned that federal Liberal Leader Mark Carney and NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh are expected in Saskatoon for seperate events Wednesday night.