REGINA - It may be the dog days of summer, but there has nevertheless been no letup on activity from provincial politicians.
A big reason for that has been the heightened activity from the White House, with word that Donald Trump was threatening a 35 per cent tariff on Canada by August 1. At a news conference in Regina Friday, NDP critic for Jobs and the Economy Aleana Young called it a direct attack on Saskatchewan workers and industries and accused the Sask Party of having nothing to say.
That prompted a statement from Premier Moe’s office Friday afternoon, which stated that while President Trump’s latest tariff threat was concerning, “it should not have much impact on Saskatchewan.”
“Most Saskatchewan products have remained exempt from tariffs under the USMCA, so if that continues to apply to the latest 35 per cent tariff threat, the impact on Saskatchewan should be minimal.”
The statement added they would “continue to engage with US officials to encourage free and fair trade with the US, while also continuing to expand Saskatchewan’s export markets around the world.”
In a statement Monday, Energy & Resources critic Sally Housser called for the Sask. Party to “get tough on Trump” by immediately restoring retaliatory measures against the US in response to the tariffs.
In a letter dated July 14 sent to Warren Kaeding, Minister responsible for Trade and Export Development, Housser called for immediately restoration of the ban on American liquor in liquor stores, and to sever contracts with companies from south of the border wherever possible.
“Moe and his Ministers seem just fine with Trump's threats to our economy and our sovereignty, but the Saskatchewan NDP will not let up,” Housser said in a statement.
“We will continue to demand action in the face of these potential tariffs and on tariffs that have already been imposed on products like Saskatchewan’s world-class steel.”
Trade has not been the only prominent topic, as the province’s politicians spent last week scattered across the province dealing with issues on the ground.
Last week, Premier Scott Moe and members of the Saskatchewan Party cabinet were in North Battleford for meetings with Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie and North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin.
It was confirmed at those meetings that a joint letter had been sent to Minister of Justice and Attorney General Sean Fraser, expressing “urgent concern” about the need for more meaningful federal bail reform.
The letter was signed by Mayors Leslie and Hawtin, as well as Minister of Justice Tim McLeod and MLA for The Battlefords Jeremy Cockrill. While they pointed to the federal legislation Bill C-48, they noted several measures were missing. The letter called for primary consideration to public safety in the bail decision-making process, as well as a reverse onus for those convicted of a violent offence who is accused of committing another violent offence.
Also in North Battleford, McLeod and Cockrill attended the opening of the Battlefords Drug Treatment Court. This follows on the heels of drug treatment courts in Regina and Moose Jaw that had been operating since 2006.
"The opening of the Battlefords Drug Treatment Court represents another step forward for the strong partnership that the courts and province have built to support residents in overcoming addictions and mental health challenges," McLeod said in a statement. "Together we can promote proactive and transformative change that gives individuals the skills they need to create a successful and sustainable future for themselves."
Concerns about the ongoing wildfire situation in the North continued throughout the week. Last week Cumberland MLA Jordan McPhail called on provincial Ombudsman Sharon Pratchler to investigate housing and income support for evacuees, mental health supports, and the emergency alert system failure.
“This was the scariest moment of a lifetime for so many people I’ve talked to,” McPhail said in a statement.
“To this day, we hear from people who haven’t received a single dime of financial support from the government despite racking up thousands in debt for food, accommodation, travel and more.”
Also last week, the NDP released new data obtained through a Freedom of Information request made to Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, showing about 2,150 housing units are vacant province-wide. This included more than 400 units in Regina and nearly 200 in Saskatoon.
With files from Angela Brown
