SASKATOON, Sask. — Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis MLA Don McBean stood outside the government Cabinet Office on Tuesday, Sept. 1, renewing the Saskatchewan NDP’s plea for Premier Scott Moe to reconvene the legislature ahead of the fall sitting to address issues related to Canada’s escalating trade war with the U.S.
“We're knocking on the door of the Premier's cabinet office because Saskatchewan people deserve a government that shows up and fights for them. Unfortunately, no one's home. It's time for leadership. Recall the Legislature,” said McBean.
The government, however, rejected the request, with Government Whip Brad Crassweller saying it is the federal government’s job to negotiate and reach a trade deal with the U.S., since provincial governments cannot pass legislation regarding trade agreements.
Opposition parties usually demand early recalls of the provincial legislature for the government to address pressing issues, in this case the failed trade deal. The last time the Saskatchewan Party-led legislature reconvened early was in 2023 to pass Bill 137, or the Parents' Bill of Rights.
McBean, the shadow minister for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, said the Opposition had been direct and straightforward in communicating to the government its desire for an early session and to find solutions to the trade dispute.
“Saskatchewan workers and families need their Premier to get back to work. Yesterday (Monday, Aug. 31), Carla Beck and our team called on Scott Moe to immediately recall the Legislature so we can take action on Donald Trump's escalating trade war. The Sask. Party said no,” said McBean.
“They're apparently prepared to wait another 56 days while Saskatchewan jobs, workers and industries face growing uncertainty. Even worse, Scott Moe's own MLA Brad Crassweller said that dealing with the impact of this trade war wasn't the provincial government's job.”
He then criticized the government for being incompetent and out of touch, adding that provinces like B.C., Manitoba and Nova Scotia have acted and introduced training and retraining support for workers. At the same time, Ontario and P.E.I. brought forward financing and other measures to protect businesses and jobs.
“Here in Saskatchewan, we could start immediately. Bring forward a plan to protect Saskatchewan workers. Pass measures to make life more affordable. It's time to get back to work,” said McBean, who added that many of the Opposition bills address affordability issues in the province.
“I think that it's time for those [bills] to be reinvigorated and examined. And we need to have the discussion on site that can best address the dilemma that we find ourselves in with this trade war now. We were already in an affordability crisis.”
The former school principal added that affordability issues had been building even before the trade war and that the measures they had already proposed, which failed to pass the legislature, should have at least made things better.
Government answers back
Crassweller, the White City-Qu'Appelle MLA, said he understands the NDP’s intention to demand an immediate recall of the legislature. However, he pointed out that Opposition Leader Carla Beck missed more than 50 per cent of sessions before the spring sitting adjourned.
He added that the Saskatchewan NDP has spent many years supporting former prime minister Justin Trudeau’s policies, including the carbon tax that drove up costs for Saskatchewan families, farmers and businesses.
“The other thing I want to point out is that the Saskatchewan NDP, in their last election platform, called for shutting down all our trade offices; the very offices that now open relationships, open markets, and protect jobs for the province of Saskatchewan,” said Crassweller.
He added that the Opposition offered no serious solutions or useful contributions and has done nothing beyond political stunts and criticism, unlike Moe, who has been working to establish discussions with businesses and workers affected by the tariffs and pursue new national and international trade agreements.
“Our government is focused on protecting jobs, continuing to grow our economy and export markets, attracting national and international investments and defending Saskatchewan's long-term interest, and that has only happened because of the strong and steady leadership of our premier,” said Crassweller.
