Moe accused by NDP of not denouncing western separatism

REGINA - Premier Scott Moe was under fire Monday at the Legislature over NDP accusations that he was refusing to condemn western separatism.

The accusations came on news this past week that Moe planned to make an appearance at the Canada Strong and Free Network’s National Conference in Ottawa later this week. 

The founder of that conference is former Reform Party leader Preston Manning, who recently has drawn controversy over an opinion piece in The Globe and Mail newspaper in which he stated that “voters, particularly in central and Atlantic Canada, need to recognize that a vote for the Carney Liberals is a vote for Western secession — a vote for the breakup of Canada as we know it.”

When asked about it at a news conference in Saskatoon on Friday, Moe said "we most certainly are Canadian in this province, and that's despite at times dealing with the imposed policies that have come from Liberal government over the last number of years." 

Moe added that "our issue is policy based," and said the Liberals needed "to go further from our perspective."

When further asked if he agreed with Manning's statement, Moe responded “I won't go so far as to comment on a Western secession crisis at this point in time. We will work with whoever wins the election at the end of April." 

“That being said, if they continue down the path that the Liberal Party has, in unconsulted policies like carbon taxation, in unconsulted policies like energy production caps, in unconsulted policies and changes to Bill C- 69, the Environmental Impact Assessment Bill, which is restricting our ability to, for example, get our energy to the West Coast…Those policies all lay at the feet of the federal Liberal government, supported by the NDP. So if that's the path that they are going to continue to take, an unconsulted policy that is harmful to how we create wealth, jobs, and opportunity in this province, then we are going to have a significant problem moving forward.”

Opposition Leader Carla Beck said she posed the question to Moe in Question Period about his comments and characterized it as having “lobbed an underhanded pitch” to him. She expected a clear-cut response and made it known she didn’t think she got it.

“Look, this is a time for Canadians to be united, and this crap just plays right into Donald Trump's hands,” said Beck. 

“The Premier failed to even say that he's a proud Canadian, let alone condemn this talk of Western separatism. You know, it's surprisingly difficult for this Premier to stand up, find the courage to speak clearly on this issue, and you know, I think that that is something that Saskatchewan people want to hear from him. They didn't hear it today.”

In speaking to reporters afterwards, Moe was asked if he supported western separatism.

“No,” said Moe. “And listen, there's this thought that you are unable to be a proud Canadian but still have questions with respect to the policies that our federal government is putting forward, and I just don't simply, I simply don't accept that. We are, most certainly, myself and the entirety of the government of Saskatchewan very much proud as Canadians and believe in a united Canada.

“That being said, we have many questions over the course of the last number of years and continue to have those questions going into this federal election campaign with respect to the policies that have been put forward by, first, a Liberal but always supported by the NDP government here in this nation. And I think most recently you're seeing policies where there's many people in this province that are feeling alienated by their federal government, and not feeling a respected member of the nation of Canada.”

Moe said those questions of “what are you going to do different to change it?” should go to the Liberal and NDP leaders.

As for Manning’s comments, Moe said “I don't agree with them.” Still, he said he would be attending the conference in Ottawa and would be paying his own way. 

He also noted the title of the conference is “Canada Strong and Free.”

“Doesn't sound like a separatist conference in any way to me,” said Moe.

“And I would just say again, you can believe in a united Canada, and I certainly do. You can be a very proud Canadian and still have very serious questions about the policies that are coming from our federal government, and we do.”

Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill was also grilled over plans to attend the same conference in Ottawa. He was questioned by the Opposition about his being scheduled to appear Thursday at a panel discussion on health care. But Cockrill clarified that in fact he would be at the Assembly Thursday and would not be at the Ottawa conference until Friday and Saturday. Like the Premier, Cockrill said he would be paying his way.