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Sarah Mills takes a look at the results of the federal election, which saw the Liberals win another minority. Mills says...
Premier Scott Moe and members of his government spent much of the federal election campaign subtly, and not so subtly, supporting the federal Conservative party, but the morning after election day Moe said he’s hopeful for a possible reset of the relationship with the new Liberal government led by Mark Carney.
“I certainly haven’t given up on the opportunity that we have as Canadians. I would hope, and what I heard last night is a Prime Minister and I’m hoping a Liberal Party that isn’t giving up on Saskatchewan, Saskatchewan people and the role that Saskatchewan plays in confederation,” said Moe.
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The premier also planned to extend an offer to Carney to come to Saskatchewan for a meeting about a productive path forward for Saskatchewan within Canada.
When asked about the western separation sentiment that had been fomenting ahead of the election, Moe first pointed out that Quebec has had a separatist faction for years before saying that it’s more alienation that he’s seeing in the province.
“We just want to be treated fairly in confederation. We want to be consulted with the policies that are coming forward, that are going to impact our industries, our jobs in this province,” he said.
He said he hasn’t given up on Saskatchewan being a productive part of the federation.
Moe said he’s hoping for more consultation in the relationship with the new government — something he often opined when it came to the Liberal Trudeau government.
He said with voting outcomes so different from one part of the country to the other, Carney is going to have a big job ahead of him and Saskatchewan wants to help with that.
According to Moe, the province is offering to engage and consult on the policies coming out of the federal government but also explain where the issues are from the Saskatchewan perspective.
“Not to just come with complaints but to come with real solutions to what a path forward is with respect to those policies,” Moe said.
During Carney’s speech on Monday night, Moe said he heard that the prime minister wants to work with Saskatchewan and make Canada an energy superpower.
“That’s great to hear but those are nothing but words and I would say — and I’ve said it many times — that policies do matter,” said Moe.
The premier said there are some policies Saskatchewan wants alterations on, like C-69, but there are also some that would have to go, like the emissions cap for oil and gas.
He thinks there’s a path forward when it comes to the industrial carbon tax as well. Moe’s government brought the tax down to zero in Saskatchewan under its output-based performance standards as of April 1.
Moe said there could be a conversation to be had about where that fits with industry but he said the tax can’t be charged on the electricity for Saskatchewan families.
Moe wants the federal government to come to the table with an open mind but said if the offer for a relationship reset isn’t taken, they’ll get to that conversation.
Sask. NDP Leader Carla Beck. (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)
Sask. NDP focused on provincial priorities
NDP Leader Carla Beck said her priorities will stay focused on the provincial level after the federal NDP lost its leader, seats and federal party status on election night.
Beck said she sent a message thanking Jagmeet Singh for his service to the country after his resignation as federal NDP leader.
Her eyes will be kept on issues Saskatchewan people are facing, including infrastructure investments like highways, rail and pipelines, removing Chinese canola tariffs, a fair equalization deal and a broader commitment to protect the national childcare plan.
“We’ve got a moment in front of us that is going to require all of us to put on our big-boy pants and get things done and that’s what we’re focused on,” she said.
Beck sent her congratulations to Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River riding winner Buckley Belanger, who put the Liberals back on the map in Saskatchewan. Belanger is a former NDP MLA.
“I had the privilege of serving with Mr. Belanger when I was first elected here to the Legislature,” she said. “(He’s) someone who cares passionately about his community. I don’t think there’s any doubt of that.”
Beck said she’s willing to work with any MP to address Saskatchewan people’s priorities.
— with files from 980 CJME’s Daniel Reech and Gillian Massie.
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