COLONSAY - Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was in Saskatchewan today, making two stops in the central part of the province.
Her first stop was in Colonsay where she toured Mosaic’s potash mine there and also met with reporters.
In her media availability, Freeland touted federal policies on the natural resource sector, pointing to the government setting aside in the spring budget up $3.8 billion to implement the country’s first critical minerals strategy.
“This is a strategy that is going to help the economy grow, and will create thousands and thousands of good paying middle class jobs, like the ones I have heard so much about here today,” Freeland told reporters.
She acknowledged the importance of industries like mining and agriculture to Saskatchewan.
“Our government is absolutely committed to jobs, to economic growth, and to being a partner for workers and businesses across Saskatchewan.”
Freeland was asked during the news conference about the request by the province’s Immigration Minister Jeremy Harrison for more control over immigration. Freeland did not answer directly, but responded she was a "big believer" in the importance of immigration, and acknowledged she has heard from people that day about labour shortages.
“Our government is very supportive of immigration, and today we are working hard with businesses, with unions, with provinces to get the people here that Canada needs. We’re going to continue to do that.”
Freeland also responded to criticisms of the government’s moves to reduce fertilizer emissions. Instead she expressed confidence that farmers could run their farms, noting farmers will not use more fertilizer than they absolutely need to.
“I have a lot of confidence in the very good judgement of Canadian farmers in running their farms, and in the future what I know they are doing today, which is minimizing their use of fertilizer, ensuring they are using enough to grow the food we need but being very economical about it.”
As for the recent allegations of federal workers trespassing to take water samples in Saskatchewan, Freeland told reporters that she understands the issue has been raised with Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault and said once they’ve looked into it they will respond.
After the Colonsay event, Freeland was scheduled to go to Saskatoon in the afternoon for private meetings, followed by a meeting with Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark.
She was then scheduled to visit Baba’s Closet, the community organization that provides essentials and school supplies free of charge to Ukrainian families.
