Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe spoke with Prime Minister Mark Carney on Friday, outlining a series of urgent federal actions he says are critical to the province’s economic future and warning that they must be addressed regardless of who leads Canada after the anticipated federal election.
In what Moe described as his first and likely only meeting with Prime Minister Carney before an election is called, Moe presented a seven-point list of demands ranging from trade negotiations with China to ending the carbon tax.
“At a time of growing instability in global trade and rising economic pressures at home, Saskatchewan needs to see immediate and decisive action from the federal government,” Moe said in a statement.
“This country cannot afford to drift into an election with no clear plan and a Prime Minister who does not hold a seat in Parliament.”
Among Moe’s top priorities is a call for the federal government to immediately initiate direct engagement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to negotiate the removal of tariffs on Canadian canola, peas, pork, and seafood.
Moe is also urging the federal government to commit to supporting and swiftly approving pipeline projects to Canada’s east and west coasts, as well as along north-south corridors to improve access to international markets.
Moe is asking Ottawa to work closely with the provinces on any coordinated response to potential new US tariffs that may be imposed on Canadian goods by President Donald Trump, and to ensure that no federal export tariffs are applied to Saskatchewan resources or other Canadian exports.
In addition, Moe wants to see the repeal of federal laws and regulations that he says hinder the growth of Saskatchewan’s energy and mining sectors, specifically naming Bill C-69, the Clean Electricity Regulations, the cap on oil and gas production, and the cap on methane emissions.
Moe is calling for a clear timeline for federal approvals on major projects.
Moe is also demanding the complete removal of the federal carbon tax, including the industrial carbon tax, and is calling on the federal government to abandon its efforts to collect the carbon tax on home heating in Saskatchewan.
Moe expressed frustration with what he described as a “dysfunctional Parliament,” and argued that a federal election is necessary to restore effective governance.
However, he warned that entering a caretaker government period during a time of international trade uncertainty is far from ideal.
“Saskatchewan will be expecting these actions to be taken regardless of who is prime minister following the upcoming federal election,” said Moe.
