Sask. premier, prime minister talk tariffs, carbon tax and energy

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Premier Scott Moe says his most recent post-election discussion with new Prime Minister Mark Carney included talks about trade, environmental policy and an invitation to visit Saskatchewan “in the near future.”

“Yesterday, I spoke with Prime Minister @MarkJCarney about the importance of a strong and growing Saskatchewan within a strong and united Canada,” said Saskatchewan’s premier in a social media post Friday.

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“It was an opportunity to discuss Saskatchewan’s priorities, which include the removal of U.S. and Chinese tariffs, the industrial carbon tax, the Impact Assessment Act and the oil and gas emissions cap, as well as the role Saskatchewan can play in making Canada an energy superpower. We also discussed bail reform and criminal code changes.”

Carney, in a post made Thursday, listed the same topics of interest in relation to his conversation with Saskatchewan’s premier.

The Liberal party leader said his talk with Moe focused on further eliminating trade barriers and “building one strong Canadian economy — not thirteen.”

“Saskatchewan grows what the world needs. By working together and harnessing that advantage, we will build the strongest, fastest-growing economy in the G7,” Carney wrote on Thursday.

The statement echoed Moe’s comments on Thursday, when he expressed a desire to “hit the reset button” on Saskatchewan’s relationship with Ottawa in the wake of the federal election.

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Moe, who has been widely critical of former Liberal leader and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, publicly endorsed Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre in the lead-up to the federal election.

The provincial government convened an Economic Impact Assessment Tribunal in 2022 to review the oil and gas emissions cap and the federal Impact Assessment Act, rejecting both federal policies as detrimental to Saskatchewan’s energy growth.

Moe has also been vocal about seeking the removal of the federal carbon tax, which Carney announced would be eliminated effective April 1 of this year as part of his pre-election campaign.

Asked Thursday about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s comments and proposed legislation that would allow an easier path to a referendum on Western separation, Moe did not reject the possibility of a similar vote in Saskatchewan.

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“If Saskatchewan citizens want to have their voice heard in the way of a plebiscite or referendum, they’re going to get their voice heard,” said Moe.

— with files from Alec Salloum

lkurz@postmedia.com

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