REGINA — With the China deal on canola tariffs now an issue firmly in the rear-view mirror, Premier Scott Moe was focused on other topics this week in Saskatchewan politics.
On Thursday, the main focus for Moe was attending a First Ministers Meeting in Ottawa with Prime Minister Mark Carney and the other premiers.
“It is great to meet with fellow premiers and the prime minister this week in Ottawa. We come together on behalf of the respective interests of each of our provinces,” Moe posted on the X platform this week.
“I look forward to setting the foundation for ongoing discussions around expanding the industries that create wealth and jobs for Canadians, diversifying trade by engaging with countries around the world, and determining a path forward on trade with the United States of America.”
In a joint communiqué issued Thursday afternoon following the meeting, the first ministers stated they “reaffirm their commitment to a unified Team Canada approach” and “advanced their coordinated work to build a stronger, more prosperous, more resilient Canadian economy.” They also discussed the ongoing geopolitical situation and reiterated “Canada’s unwavering commitment to democracy and the rule of law.” They affirmed that Canada stands with its NATO allies and remains united in protecting Canada’s sovereignty, including in the Arctic, and agreed to accelerate strategic investments in Canada’s North.
The communiqué also stated that the Prime Minister “updated Premiers on plans for the upcoming joint review of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). The Prime Minister noted that Canada has the best trade deal with the United States. The federal government committed to continue to work with Premiers throughout the review process, including monthly meetings to keep provinces and territories updated.”
On Friday, Moe was back in Saskatchewan and in Saskatoon for a major announcement by Canadian Energy Metals on a significant alumina find near Tisdale. The premier expressed excitement about what the discovery could mean for the aluminum industry in the province.
“Today, I'm excited to join others at the University of Saskatchewan to introduce the Thor Project and announce the release of its preliminary economic assessment, which validates the project as one of the largest known deposits of alumina in the world,” Moe posted on the X platform. “This discovery underpins Saskatchewan as a leading jurisdiction for mining investment.”
While the premier was attending various events this week, Minister responsible for SaskPower Jeremy Harrison was also at an announcement with implications for the future of nuclear development in the province.
At a media conference in Saskatoon Wednesday, SaskPower confirmed it would begin the process of formally evaluating large nuclear technologies for use in Saskatchewan.
SaskPower said this technology selection process will take place in parallel with its small modular reactor project, which is currently ongoing in the Estevan area.
While SaskPower was clearly signalling a strong interest in a nuclear-powered future, opposition New Democrats also focused on the provincial Crown this week as they continued their campaign opposing power rate hikes.
Opposition critic Aleana Young continued efforts to publicize the petition on the party’s website, StopTheRateHike.ca, in advance of the Feb. 1 launch date for SaskPower’s 3.9 per cent power rate hike.
The two parties also clashed this week on another contentious topic: St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon.
On Wednesday, Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill was in Saskatoon for the long-awaited grand opening of the new entrance at St. Paul’s Hospital. The project, which includes a covered front entrance area and other amenities, was also promoted as improving sightlines for security personnel to help keep people safe.
However, safety at the hospital was also the subject of a news conference at NDP MLA Nathaniel Teed’s constituency office that same morning.
At that event, Teed released photos to the media showing various knives, saws and other weapons seized at St. Paul’s Hospital over the past several months. The items were seized prior to the announcement last week approving metal detectors for the hospital.
The media event was part of an ongoing NDP focus on security and safety issues in Saskatchewan hospitals and followed the party’s earlier release of photos of weapons seized at Royal University Hospital.
In response to Teed’s latest comments, Cockrill dismissed the event as “another news conference from the NDP and another news conference with no new ideas.”
In Regina, the NDP also renewed concerns about child care availability in the province. At the Legislature on Wednesday, NDP child care critic Joan Pratchler cited figures from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives showing the government had created only 6,915 child-care spaces as of the third quarter of 2025, well short of its goal of 28,100 by the end of March. The NDP also said the report identified Saskatchewan as having the second-worst access to child care in the country.
“Scott Moe has created a childcare desert in Saskatchewan — and he’s completely ignored providers and young families who have been sounding the alarm for years,” said Pratchler in a news release.
“Let’s be clear, affordable childcare is good for families, it’s an excellent economic driver and it’s basically table stakes when we talk about building a bright future for Saskatchewan. Still, despite all that, Scott Moe has dragged his heels at every turn and failed to meet demand. This is not the kind of leadership we need at such a critical time for our province.”
