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Moe calls Trudeau visit “disappointing, but not surprising”

Saskatchewan Premier says Prime Minister Trudeau did not make his office aware of his visit to rare earths facility in Saskatoon.
John Cairns
John Cairns
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Premier Scott Moe seen here speaking to reporters Nov. 23 in the legislature.John Cairns

REGINA - Premier Scott Moe is expressing disappointment that his government was not made aware of a visit by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to a Saskatoon rare earths elements processing plant on Monday.

In a statement released from his office Monday morning, Moe called it disappointing because it was an area the provincial and federal governments see eye to eye on. He said Saskatchewan had been advocating for increased investment in the area and expressed hopes the PM will have positive news on their applications before Natural Resources Canada.

Prime Minister Trudeau is scheduled to visit the processing plant today with Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark also in attendance. The Prime Minister is also scheduled to scrum with media later in the morning. 

Here is the statement from Premier Moe in full:

“The Prime Minister’s visit to Saskatchewan today to tour a rare earth elements processing plant is disappointing, but not surprising.

“It’s disappointing because this is an area that the provincial and federal governments see eye to eye on, yet we were not aware of the Prime Minister’s visit. Saskatchewan has been advocating for increased investment in this area, and we hope that the Prime Minister will have positive news today - and into the future - on our applications before Natural Resources Canada.

“It’s not surprising as I led a Saskatchewan delegation in Washington D.C. last month, where I met with various levels of President Biden’s administration and discussed the opportunities Saskatchewan has to partner with the USA on providing the elements required for North American energy security.  It’s also not surprising that one of the Prime Minister’s first visits following his meetings with the American and Mexican Presidents is to a Saskatchewan facility, as our province is a global leader in critical minerals and rare earth elements.

“I welcome Prime Minister Trudeau to Saskatchewan, and hope that he recognizes Saskatchewan’s potential in not only making a stronger Canada but a stronger North America during his time in our province today.”