NDP not impressed with guest list for Sask. pavilion in Dubai

The roster of guests for the Saskatchewan pavilion at the Dubai climate conference is out, and the Saskatchewan NDP isn’t happy with all those who made the cut.

Nearly 60 different organizations will be using the pavilion.

NDP Trade and Export Development Critic Aleana Young is upset that nearly half of the groups aren’t from Saskatchewan.

“In our own pavilion, out-of-province businesses and organizations will outnumber Saskatchewan nearly two to one,” Young said. “This makes it clear that Scott Moe’s million-dollar Dubai trip is not as advertised.”

She pointed out examples like the University of Guelph and a Calgary law firm. She wants to know how Saskatchewan paying $765,000 for a pavilion — which will host those out-of-province guests — will help sell Saskatchewan’s story to the world.

Young argues that if Premier Scott Moe is interested in doing business with organizations from outside Saskatchewan, those people could come here. Or with the power of technology, they could hop on a Zoom call.

“I find it hard to believe that the Premier of Saskatchewan thinks the best way to do business with the University of Guelph is to meet them in Dubai,” Young said.

She would be more satisfied if those outside organizations helped pay for the bill to be part of the pavilion. She thinks a valid question for the government is to ask if cost-sharing options were available.

She isn’t overly optimistic the trip will produce anything of value.

A list of the participants at Saskatchewan’s COP28 pavilion appears below.

Premier defends decision

Before flying to Dubai, Moe spoke with media on the value of the trip.

He’s looking forward to hosting the out-of-province guests at the Saskatchewan pavilion.

“It adds to the conversation. We’re there not only as a province of Saskatchewan but as a province within a nation of Canada,” Moe said.

He said Saskatchewan is an exporting province and Canada is an exporting nation. They both can’t work in isolation.

“Where we can work with other provinces, we’re going to,” he said. “Where we can provide them the opportunity to strengthen their footprint at this conference and maybe the next one, we’re going to do that too.

“Stronger communities make for a stronger province. Stronger provinces make for a stronger nation and that’s the goal.”

Moe said the Government of Saskatchewan will be paying the cost of the pavilion. He isn’t aware of other organizations contributing to the bill.