The Saskatchewan government has introduced the Saskatchewan First Act (SFA) to “confirm Saskatchewan’s autonomy and exclusive jurisdiction over its natural resources.”.“This historic legislation will help protect our economic growth and prosperity from intrusive federal policies that encroach upon our legislative sovereignty,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre..“It is time to draw the line and assert our constitutional rights.”.Eyre said the SFA went through months of legal and economic analysis before bringing it to the legislature. .“We’re formally introducing the Saskatchewan First Act, the product of many months of intense legal and economic analysis,” said Eyre at the press conference.. Farm FieldsFarm fields .The SFA amends the Saskatchewan Constitution to assert Saskatchewan’s control and sovereign autonomy under the Canadian Constitution for exclusive jurisdiction over three key areas..First, the “exploration of non-renewable natural resources.”.Second, the “development, conservation, and management of non-renewable natural and forestry resources.”.Third, the “operation of sites and facilities for the generation and production of electrical energy.”.“A strong Saskatchewan means a strong Canada,” said Eyre..“This legislation asserts the constitutional doctrine of inter-jurisdictional immunity applies to exclusive provincial legislative jurisdiction the same way it applies to exclusive federal jurisdiction.”.The SFA creates Economic Impact Assessment Tribunals that “will define, quantify, and report on the economic repercussions of federal initiatives on provincial investment and Saskatchewan projects, businesses, and people.” . Farm in Canada .Eyre said they need the SFA to protect Saskatchewan’s traditional economic sectors and emerging sectors..“Economic success happens when you don’t turn your back on workers in traditional sectors. When you build on the strengths of those traditional sectors, and diversify and expand into new ones,” said Eyre..Eyre said the Saskatchewan government travels “around the world” to get companies to invest in Saskatchewan..“Economic success happens when you pound the pavement in Canada and around the world telling Saskatchewan this amazing investment story,” said Eyre..“They happen when regulatory and royalty structures are strong, competitive, and transparent.”.Eyre blamed federal government policies for holding back Saskatchewan’s economic success, and the SFA will help protect the province’s economic interests..“This bill is about ensuring and protecting the economic success that Saskatchewan has achieved despite federal policies that have done real economic harm and risk doing much more,” said Eyre..Eyre said that the province wants the federal government to be an “honourable partner” in the province's success..However, the tribunal process will show the economic harm being done by federal policies.
