The Saskatchewan government is hosting a summer series of “provincial autonomy meetings” for greater provincial independence from the federal government..The meetings will go through the MLAs and they will ask the local stakeholders what suggestions they have to accomplish the “additional autonomy” goals..Spearheading the meetings are Saskatchewan Party MLA Lyle Stewart (Thunder Creek) and former Saskatchewan Party and Reform MP Allan Kerpan..Premier Scott Moe said at a news conference on Tuesday the purpose of the meetings is to expand Saskatchewan’s autonomy to “use up the entirety of the Constitution of Canada.”.There will be both closed-door and town hall-style public meetings held across the province..“This is really about the opportunity we see lies before our province and the people that live here,” said Moe..Moe talked about the increasing corporate investments in energy, mining, agriculture, food, and forestry. .The premier said he's determined to continue pursuing investments into Saskatchewan and stressed the importance of a “stronger federation.”.Moe met with Kerpan several times over the last few months and Moe asked him to “try to gauge the opinion and the feelings of people who live in our province.”.After the first few closed-door meetings, Kerpan said a few different themes emerged..“People are saying be more Quebec-like … in other words, take back the powers to our province that were afforded to our province under the Constitution originally,” said Kerpan..“I think (Quebec’s) alienation probably with Ottawa was more cultural based. Ours is probably more economically based, although culture comes into that as well.”.Moe said he wants Saskatchewan to control its immigration policy, the same way that Quebec does its immigration policies, which are “separate and distinct” from other provinces..“If we are going to build all of what’s been announced, we need more people, ultimately, to move here to this province,” said Moe..“And in order to do that, we’re going to have to open up a very serious engagement and discussion with the federal government on our immigration numbers.”.One focus of the autonomy meetings is how to best create a Saskatchewan immigration policy..A reporter during the scrum asked Moe about the conflicting message of greater autonomy while simultaneously asking for additional federal funding in things like healthcare. .Moe responded the Saskatchewan government wants to stay within Canada and the confines of the Constitution of Canada..“Where there may be another entity that puts in place impediments or hindrances so we can not achieve what we know is possible for Saskatchewan people, most certainly we’re going to draw some lines in the sand, and we’re going to defend the opportunity to grow a stronger Saskatchewan,” said Moe..Kerpan and Moe do not support Saskatchewan’s separation from Canada, they want more autonomy..“I am not interested in independence from Confederation, but I’m certainly very interested in some sort of independence from Ottawa,” said Kerpan.
The Saskatchewan government is hosting a summer series of “provincial autonomy meetings” for greater provincial independence from the federal government..The meetings will go through the MLAs and they will ask the local stakeholders what suggestions they have to accomplish the “additional autonomy” goals..Spearheading the meetings are Saskatchewan Party MLA Lyle Stewart (Thunder Creek) and former Saskatchewan Party and Reform MP Allan Kerpan..Premier Scott Moe said at a news conference on Tuesday the purpose of the meetings is to expand Saskatchewan’s autonomy to “use up the entirety of the Constitution of Canada.”.There will be both closed-door and town hall-style public meetings held across the province..“This is really about the opportunity we see lies before our province and the people that live here,” said Moe..Moe talked about the increasing corporate investments in energy, mining, agriculture, food, and forestry. .The premier said he's determined to continue pursuing investments into Saskatchewan and stressed the importance of a “stronger federation.”.Moe met with Kerpan several times over the last few months and Moe asked him to “try to gauge the opinion and the feelings of people who live in our province.”.After the first few closed-door meetings, Kerpan said a few different themes emerged..“People are saying be more Quebec-like … in other words, take back the powers to our province that were afforded to our province under the Constitution originally,” said Kerpan..“I think (Quebec’s) alienation probably with Ottawa was more cultural based. Ours is probably more economically based, although culture comes into that as well.”.Moe said he wants Saskatchewan to control its immigration policy, the same way that Quebec does its immigration policies, which are “separate and distinct” from other provinces..“If we are going to build all of what’s been announced, we need more people, ultimately, to move here to this province,” said Moe..“And in order to do that, we’re going to have to open up a very serious engagement and discussion with the federal government on our immigration numbers.”.One focus of the autonomy meetings is how to best create a Saskatchewan immigration policy..A reporter during the scrum asked Moe about the conflicting message of greater autonomy while simultaneously asking for additional federal funding in things like healthcare. .Moe responded the Saskatchewan government wants to stay within Canada and the confines of the Constitution of Canada..“Where there may be another entity that puts in place impediments or hindrances so we can not achieve what we know is possible for Saskatchewan people, most certainly we’re going to draw some lines in the sand, and we’re going to defend the opportunity to grow a stronger Saskatchewan,” said Moe..Kerpan and Moe do not support Saskatchewan’s separation from Canada, they want more autonomy..“I am not interested in independence from Confederation, but I’m certainly very interested in some sort of independence from Ottawa,” said Kerpan.
