Sask. premier stands by letter to Alberta energy company

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is defending the letter he sent to Whitecap Resources, an energy company in Alberta, inviting them to move their head offices to the province.

“I’ve done this since I was elected. This is my job – to try to attract permanent, new jobs to the province and try to improve the corporate presence,” Wall said Thursday.

In the letter, Wall said Saskatchewan can provide a package that would deal with relocation costs, an offer to help find government buildings for the company to move into and aggressive new growth tax incentives. 

Wall stated Thursday no direct payments would be made to companies. Instead, they’re offering tax incentives and royalties that have existed for some time to help companies move to the province.

“I ask companies every time we meet with them if they would move their headquarters or increase their presence,” Wall said.

Whitecap Resources CEO Grant Fagerheim said he’s taking Wall’s offer seriously but would only move if it would benefit his company’s shareholders. 

– With files from The Canadian Press.