NDP bill looks to make it harder for province to separate from Canada

Saskatchewan’s Opposition NDP has introduced legislation that, if passed, would make it tougher for the province to separate from the rest of Canada.

Party leader Carla Beck says her bill doubles the threshold for citizens to initiate a plebiscite on separation, requiring 30 per cent of eligible voters to sign on to a petition instead of 15 per cent.

She says the threshold of 15 per cent would continue to apply to other issues.

Beck says the legislation would also prevent the Saskatchewan Party government from unilaterally launching a referendum on separation unless it has a clear mandate, which could come in the form of a general election.

She says people deserve to have their voices heard, but a vote on separation requires a higher bar to be met.

Premier Scott Moe has accused the NDP of trying to silence the public through the legislative changes.