REGINA – It was an unusual and unexpected year in 2025 in Saskatchewan.
Then again, Canada hasn’t seen a situation where a President of the United States had talked openly about turning Canada into a 51st State, or of using economic force to do it.
Tariffs, and all the ramifications, were a big story in 2025, one that had major ramifications including into the federal election held in the spring. Northern wildfires were another big provincial story, but on a more positive note, so was the Grey Cup win by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025.
Here is a rundown of some of the major provincial stories in 2025.
Tariffs and trade dominate the year
The on again – off again tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump on various Canadian products, including steel caused a major reaction from Canada and Canadians, including boycotts of U.S. products and of vacations to American destinations.
In Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced in March an initial round of provincial retaliatory measures including stopping the purchase and sale of U.S. produced alcohol. Those measures would eventually be lifted. It also touched off trips to Washington D.C. by Moe this year to meet U.S. officials to attempt to get those tariffs lifted.
But those weren’t the only tariff problems facing Saskatchewan, as the province had to also contend with China’s steep tariffs on canola, as well as new tariffs by India on yellow peas. Premier Moe led a delegation to Ottawa and also to China on the canola issue, and later met Indian officials on the yellow peas issue.
Federal election
Usually, news that Canada had a change in Prime Ministers would be a major news story.
The unpopular Prime Minister Justin Trudeau resigned, and the change in Liberal leadership combined with the tariff issue ended up flipping the federal election on its ear. The new Liberal leader Mark Carney led the Liberals to an increased number of seats in the April 28 vote — defying polls at the start of the year that suggested a Conservative sweep.
In Saskatchewan, most voters sent back Conservative MPs to Ottawa with the exception of Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River, where Buckley Belanger because the sole Liberal MP from Saskatchewan.
In response to major parties’ campaign platforms that suggested lifting the carbon tax would be a priority, Premier Moe announced Saskatchewan would become the first carbon tax free province as of April 1.
First Ministers Conference in Saskatoon
With the election over, the Premier and the new Prime Minister set a more conciliatory tone, with Moe agreeing to the province hosting a First Ministers Meeting of all the Premiers in Saskatoon on June 2. The main topic of that meeting was on nation-building projects and how to get those off the ground, though there were many details still to be worked out.
Prime Minister Carney eventually announced the first round of five nation-building projects in the fall, which included the Foran Mining Corp.'s McIlvenna Bay copper and zinc mine in northern Saskatchewan.
Northern wildfires
Northern Saskatchewan was hit by extensive and devastating wildfires throughout the spring and summer of 2025. The fires were widespread throughout the north and had threatened communities including La Ronge and Creighton, Sask., but ended up causing the most damage to Denare Beach and East Trout Lake.
While no lives were lost, there was extensive property damage and much criticism of the government’s handling of the evacuations and the wildfire response. A review by MNP of the wildfire response is now under way.
Saskatchewan Roughriders win Grey Cup
The year ended on a positive note in 2025 as the province’s beloved football team the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the Grey Cup on Nov. 16.
That 25-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes touched off celebrations throughout the province. On Nov. 18 a celebration parade made its way down the Green Mile to the Saskatchewan Legislature, where delirious fans cheered the Riders’ Grey Cup success.
