Sask NDP and Opposition Leader Carla Beck is asking Premier Scott Moe to close the door on any talk of the province breaking away from Canada after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith opened the possibility of an independence vote.During question period on Wednesday, Beck called Smith’s comments “reckless” and warned that even musing about leaving Confederation could scare off investment, cost jobs, and hurt Saskatchewan’s economy.“This is reckless, and even the talk of separatism will kill investment in Canada, kill jobs, and cause more hardship to people who are already struggling,” said Beck. Beck pressed Moe to promise that Saskatchewan would never hold an independence referendum and to urge his “friend in Alberta” to stop “fanning the flames of separatism.”Moe replied that the only people raising the idea of separation in Saskatchewan are the Sask NDP. .“On the floor of this Assembly, the only people speaking about separation is the opposition party, where they separated from their parent party,” said Moe. “With the most recent federal election where we saw the entire takeover of the NDP.” Moe said provincial law sets strict rules for referendums, including a petition signed by at least 15% of eligible voters, and that his government will follow that legislation. “The answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s question is no,” said Moe..Beck argued that Canadians should unite to grow the economy, not tear the country apart. A goal Beck said is complicated by President Donald Trump’s threats to slap tariffs on Canadian goods. Beck pointed out that it is estimated that Ontario could lose 68,000 jobs this year because of US trade uncertainty, and asked how many positions are at risk in Saskatchewan.Moe said his government has travelled to Washington to lobby against tariffs and noted that Saskatchewan energy and potash have been exempted. .Most exports covered by the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) remain unaffected except steel, Moe added, saying the province accelerated Crown utility purchases to help Saskatchewan producers.While neither leader offered new economic projections, Beck insisted Moe’s “silence on separatism” sends the wrong message at a time when unity is needed to face external threats. Moe countered that his focus is on keeping trade flowing and protecting Saskatchewan jobs.
