SASKATOON—Opposition Leader Carla Beck praised the efforts of Canadians, including Saskatchewan residents, in supporting local businesses as a response to the threat of a potential trade war with the United States.
The Saskatchewan NDP leader, speaking to Saskatoon journalists on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at SaskMade Marketplace on Eighth Street, renewed the call to buy and support local stores and businesses to keep the economy strong. She emphasized that keeping Canadian dollars in the province benefits everyone.
“This is a call to action for all of us. We also know that so many Saskatchewan people are already making a conscious effort to shop local, support their neighbours, and support local and Canadian-based businesses here at home. We also know that in Saskatchewan, almost 80 per cent of shoppers are actively looking to buy Canadian or local. They're looking to support great shops like the SaskMade Marketplace,” Beck said.
“When we invest in our local businesses, we see a domino effect across the economy and our communities. We want to make more jobs and businesses easier for Saskatchewan people and folks here at home.”
Beck added that this is why they launched the shopsk.ca, where Saskatchewan residents can show their support by sharing their favourite local businesses, including tattoo studios, restaurants, breweries, grocery stores, shops, cafes, tours, bakeries, dry cleaners, hotels, automotive services and more. Residents can also grow the movement by signing the petition and downloading banners and avatars for their social media pages.
Some of those businesses shared on the site can be found in Estevan, Humboldt, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon and Swift Current; the towns of Canora, Duck Lake, Gravelbourg, Indian Head, Ituna, Kindersley, Lumsden, Nipawin, Osler, Shaunavon and White City; the villages of Sedley, Torquay and Vibank; the hamlets of Oungre and Waskesiu Lake; and the northern settlement of Missinipe.
“This is just one more way that people can support each other and local businesses. I want to invite every Saskatchewan [resident] to visit our site. There, you can download social media graphics, sign our petition in support of Saskatchewan businesses, and my favourite part is that you can submit your favourite local business to be featured on the site and learn more about spots that fellow Saskatchewan people have shared as their favourites,” Beck said.
“Supporting our neighbours has always been a part of who we are in this province. Looking out for each other is part of our DNA, and it's the Saskatchewan way. Whether it's families at their local grocery store or governments regarding public contracts and builds, it's time to bet big on Saskatchewan, Canada. Let's unite and do our part to ensure our dollars support and grow Saskatchewan businesses and the economy.”
Beck said that although Trump's proposed tariffs are unpredictable, they will devastate Canadian industries that export goods to the U.S. However, she noted that Canadians did not start the potential trade war and that the country is ready to work with its southern neighbours, as it has for the past 150 years.
“Our two economies, Canada and the [U.S.], have built one of the strongest economic partnerships the world has ever known, and we want to work together. But something has changed. Let me be clear: Saskatchewan and Canada will not bow down while threats to our economy and sovereignty continue to level at us. Saskatchewan and Canada will always be first, never the 51st,” Beck said.
“This period has been a wake-up call, and we cannot be caught flat-footed. We must build our economy and support local businesses like [SaskMade Marketplace]. I'm a proud Canadian. I am proud to call Saskatchewan home and say that Canadians have united together from coast to coast.”
The 30-day reprieve given by the Trump administration on imposing a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods will end on Tuesday, March 4, giving an air of uncertainty on the economic situation of both countries.
