NORTH BATTLEFORD — Premier Scott Moe announced the Saskatchewan government’s plans moving into the fall sitting of the legislative assembly in North Battleford on Tuesday, plans which include legislation designed to “protect Saskatchewan people, jobs and businesses.”
MLAs Ryan Domotor, Jeremy Cockrill, Ken Francis and Colleen Young, Mayor Ames Leslie, MP Rosemarie Falk and Mayor David Gillan ere among the 90 attendees who arrived at the Chapel Gallery hosted by the Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce for a luncheon and fireside chat. Former MLA Tim McMillan and Premier Scott Moe spoke on Saskatchewan resource development and the recently released white paper outlining how the government plans to defend Saskatchewan’s economic autonomy.
The premier said the policy was not about the federal government, instead, “It’s about Saskatchewan people, and us working our little best to provide Saskatchewan people with an opportunity to achieve what we know is possible,” Moe said as he addressed the crowd.
The premier has been critical of the federal government’s policies since his election to Sask. Party leadership in 2018, taking on the federal carbon tax and criticizing how Western Canada’s treatment by Ottawa. He argues that nine federal policies do not align with Saskatchewan’s constitutional authority over natural resources.
“What are we doing to determine our own destiny?”
The premier said that the Saskatchewan government has been very reactionary. Now, they’re planning on being proactive. He encouraged everyone across the province to read their newly released white paper and reminded them that they need to be fighting back.
When asked about a possible partnership with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and her forthcoming Alberta Sovereignty Act, he said there was room for collaboration.
“We will work closely with Alberta.”
He also spoke on respecting the constitution, reminding the crowd that the country is founded on it.
Beyond his government’s work into the fall, Premier Scott Moe was also in the Battlefords to address the concerns of Battlefords residents and local dignitaries, with questions on Moe’s earlier discussion.
Some wondered whether Quebec’s special privileges act as a template that the government could follow moving forward, with Moe adding that he’d like to reaffirm Saskatchewan’s right to develop its natural resources, taking additional steps beyond what they will do this fall if necessary.
Another wondered whether the natural gas contract awarded to the UAE by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in lieu of Canada would open discussions allowing provinces to join the federal debate table regarding future partnerships.
“You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality,” Moe said, drawing parallels between the war in Ukraine and Russia’s dominance over natural gas in Europe. He believes that Canada and North America should not be backing away from what and how they're producing natural resources, to establish North American food and energy security without dependence on other countries.
The province is expected to release more information on specific legislation with its upcoming crown speech on Oct. 26, and the policy can be read on the government’s website.
White Paper
You can find a pdf of the white paper at this link.
