REGINA, Sask. — A call by the opposition New Democrats to recall the legislature early over the trade dispute has been shot down quickly by the Sask. Party government.
Government Whip Brad Crassweller doused that idea in speaking with reporters soon after NDP House Leader Nicole Sarauer had held a press conference calling for the legislature to return. In his remarks, Crassweller said it was up to the federal government to come to a trade deal with the United States.
The "Saskatchewan government cannot legislate a trade agreement with the United States of America. That's the federal government's job, that's Ottawa's responsibility," Crassweller said.
At a news conference at the legislature, the NDP's Sarauer had told reporters that recalling the legislature was needed in order to pass legislation that will "make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people."
She pointed to actions in other provinces that "understand the urgency of this moment," she said.
"B.C. and Manitoba are helping tariff-affected workers with career coaching, retraining, and skills grants. That includes B.C.'s $3,500 Future Skills Grant. Nova Scotia has launched a fund to support worker retraining and training. Ontario and PEI are helping tariff-hit businesses stay afloat and protect jobs through working capital loans, grants, and other financing. Ontario is also using investment tax credits to protect manufacturing jobs. These are the kinds of measures that we believe are worth considering right here in Saskatchewan."
Sarauer added that this discussion "should be happening now, not weeks from now, but now." She pointed to the legislature not being scheduled to return until Oct. 27.
"That's 57 days from now. Saskatchewan people cannot afford to wait 57 days for their government to get back to work. They were already struggling well before these tariffs."
She pointed to Saskatchewan people reporting the "highest financial anxiety in Canada" and "record food bank use."
Sarauer also pointed to a number of bills her party had introduced in the spring, such as ending taxes on groceries and kids' clothing, legislation to reverse power rate and car insurance hikes, legislation on rent control, and a bill to prioritize Saskatchewan workers for Saskatchewan projects.
"Those bills are there. The work has already been done. And we are ready to get back into the legislature and pass them. This is a real opportunity for Scott Moe. He can recall the legislature. He can work with us. And together, we can pass legislation that will make a real and meaningful impact for people who are worried about their jobs, worried about their bills, and worried about what this trade war could mean for their families."
Crassweller ridicules NDP record on affordability
In his response following Sarauer's news conference, Crassweller blasted the NDP's record on the affordability issue, saying the party spent many years "supporting Justin Trudeau's failed policies, specifically the carbon tax, that drove up costs for Saskatchewan families, farmers, and businesses."
Crassweller also ridiculed Opposition Leader Carla Beck for the number of days she missed appearing at the legislature in the previous session and lambasted the NDP's calls to shut down Saskatchewan's trade offices during the last election.
He called those the "very offices that are now helping build relationships, open markets, and protect jobs for the province of Saskatchewan."
Crassweller dismissed the NDP as having "really offered no serious solutions, no useful contribution, nothing beyond political stunts and maybe some petty criticisms."
As for what his government was doing to address issues facing Saskatchewan people on the tariff issue, Crassweller pointed to Premier Scott Moe "doing the real work by establishing CUSMA industry roundtables, where he's having those discussions with businesses and workers that are affected by these tariffs, engaging industry leaders, maintaining relationships in the U.S., and pursuing new national and international trade agreements."
He also pointed to government officials, including six MLAs, at the Midwestern Legislators Conference this week in Minnesota, as well as attending the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region summit in July.
When Crassweller was asked if the government was contemplating any sort of assistance for people who may be losing their jobs or businesses that might be impacted, he said "we'll see what comes out of those CUSMA roundtables."
In a statement issued in response to Crassweller's media availability, Sarauer said: "It's interesting to see that Scott Moe and the Sask. Party, who spent their summer and our tax dollars hobnobbing with the people who are trying to kill our economy, don't see any value in trying to support the people of Saskatchewan through this trade war and cost of living crisis. Other provinces sure do."
