Sask NDP Leader Carla Beck is launching a new campaign aimed at passing her proposed Keep Saskatchewan In Canada Act.The push comes amid growing threats to national unity, including comments from President Donald Trump, who told Fox News on June 29 that Canada should become America’s 51st state. Saskatchewan-based group Unified Grassroots (UG) is hosting town halls across the province to promote a referendum on Western independence. UG Leader Nadine Ness has also voiced support for joining the United States.“Talk of separatism will kill jobs, kill spending and take us backwards,” said Beck. “We need to cut this nonsense. We need to focus on the future and on building Saskatchewan’s economy within a united Canada.”.Beck’s campaign includes an online petition at KeepSaskatchewanInCanada.ca and a summer long door to door effort by NDP MLAs and volunteers. The petition urges the governing Sask Party to support the proposed legislation.The bill would prevent the premier and cabinet from unilaterally triggering an independence referendum and would increase the threshold for citizen petitions from 15% to 30% of eligible voters.Beck said the bill is meant to bring economic stability at a time of political uncertainty.“We know the status quo with Ottawa isn’t working for us,” said Beck. “But neither is giving up on Canada.”The bill remains before the legislature, but Premier Scott Moe has faced criticism for stalling debate and breaking his earlier pledge to allow a free vote.
