Flurry of interprovincial signings involving Saskatchewan

REGINA - The latest Council of the Federation meetings in Ontario have been accompanied by a flurry of interprovincial announcements involving Saskatchewan.

Deals on trade mobility and transportation and export of oil, natural gas and critical minerals have been announced in the last 24 hours. Other provinces included in these deals are PEI, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.

Here is a summary of the deals that have been announced involving Saskatchewan in recent days:

MOU on safe transportation and export of oil, natural gas and critical minerals

On Tuesday, Premier Scott Moe signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to coordinate safe transportation and export of Western Canadian oil, natural gas and critical minerals to refineries, seaports and storage facilities.  

According to a news release, the MOU establishes a collaborative framework to explore multiple pipeline and rail corridors, and expand processing hubs for critical minerals. The agreement is also aimed at shared infrastructure development and coordinated market strategies between the three provinces.  

"We are sending a clear signal that Canada's energy future will be built by Canadians, for Canadians," Moe said in a statement. "This agreement commits our provinces to work together to unlock new markets, shore up our supply chains from mine to port and advocate for the federal reforms our industry needs. By advancing pipelines, rail connections and critical-mineral processing capacity, we are safeguarding thousands of jobs, strengthening our energy security and fostering sustainable growth."

MOU to strengthen trade through Port of Churchill

Also on Tuesday, Moe as well as Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew, and the Arctic Gateway Group announced they signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen trade through the Port of Churchill.

"Saskatchewan remains committed to strengthening trade across Canada by supporting and developing new transportation corridors," Moe said in a statement. "Streamlining access to ports, such as Churchill will allow our goods better access to new and emerging international markets. Today's MOU between Saskatchewan and Manitoba is another way we are building on that progress and creating new opportunities for our industries."

MOU with Manitoba on enhancing interprovincial trade

On Monday, Premiers Moe and Kinew also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on enhancing interprovincial trade between the two jurisdictions.

According to a news release, the agreement includes commitments to move forward on a framework for direct to consumer alcohol sales, and to facilitate mutual recognition of credentials, with a goal to improving labour mobility and trade between the two provinces. 

"Saskatchewan is standing strong through the storm that is our current trade challenges," Moe said in a statement. 

"Manitoba and Saskatchewan have been strong trading partners through the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. Together, we are encouraging other jurisdictions to join Canada's most ambitious domestic trade agreement, and we are building on our economic relationship through further trade collaboration, for example, on direct-to-consumer alcohol sales."  

MOU with Prince Edward Island on removing trade barriers

The announcement with Manitoba comes on the heels of a similar MOU signed between Moe and Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz on Monday, to collaborate on the removal of trade barriers across the two jurisdictions.

Like the deal with Manitoba, there are commitments to facilitate mutual recognition of credentials, a framework for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales between the two jurisdictions, and a view to boost interprovincial labour mobility and investment.

"Saskatchewan is standing strong amidst the trade challenges we are currently facing," Moe said. "Our province remains committed to deepening interprovincial collaboration and further enhancing trade, investment and labour mobility, so that we can continue to build a strong economy that delivers for the people of Saskatchewan. Today's MOU between Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island is just one more way we are strengthening economic ties across the country."  

The signings follow on the heels of Premier Moe having sent a letter to other Premiers last week, inviting them to join the New West Partnership Trade Agreement already in place with Alberta, BC and Manitoba.

Also, the latest MOUs signed by Saskatchewan on interprovincial trade come on the heels of the signing of a similiar MOU with Ontario on June 1, in advance of the First Ministers meeting in Saskatoon.