From the Premier’s desk: Moe reviews 2018

At the end of 2018, 980 CJME news director Sarah Mills sat down with Premier Scott Moe for his annual year-end interview.

Newly-elected as Saskatchewan Party leader at the start of the year, Moe talked about the surprises and challenges he’s faced. Here are some of the highlights of their conversation.

Carbon tax

Sarah Mills: How much of your year has been dominated by carbon tax and your relationship with the federal government?

Scott Moe: It’s been a part of what we’re up to here in advocating for the industries that we have in Saskatchewan. I would start with why we need a strong economy and it is what a strong economy can do. We have seen over the last decade what we can accomplish with a growing economy in the way of people moving here, growth of our communities, opportunities for jobs and investment in healthcare and education and highways and our communities’ most vulnerable and giving them a hand up, and I don’t think that is anything we want to compromise in the future.

I’ve never hid the fact that I’ll advocate for the natural resource-based economy whether it be mining, energy, potash, uranium and agriculture. Or I’ll advocate for the trade relationships that are important to those industries or the transportation opportunities that get those products to market. Or I’ll advocate for a fairer tax environment so we can be competitive. Many times that puts us at odds with the policies of our current federal government.

Some of those policies like the carbon tax are simply ineffective. A carbon tax doesn’t reduce emissions and reduces jobs by moving them to other jurisdictions. Other nations are looking at moving away from a carbon tax and some of the studies put forward by the prime minister simply don’t hold water.

Being premier

Mills: Has the job lived up to what you thought it would be?

Moe: Many of the same faces are in the caucus room and the cabinet room that were there with Premier Brad Wall. We are coming to decision points in the much the same way as we always did, save for Brad not being there.

My approach to a meeting and to engagement with my colleagues and people across this province is different than Brad’s. I’m a different person but there are many similarities. I’m grateful for the opportunity. I’m grateful for the colleagues I work with, it is the strongest cabinet in the nation and that makes me excited to come to work every day.

Mills: On a more personal level, you watched Brad Wall so you knew what the job would entail, but have there been any surprises with the job?

Moe: What is not so much of a surprise but a heavier weight to carry if you will, is when you’re faced from time to time with the very end of a decision point, or something that happens that is out of your control, the buck stops with you at the end of the day. You are the ultimate individual who is going out and responsible for whatever it is you have decided, and there is no map for how you should react or act. You think of the most tragic incident I have born witness to in my lifetime, is the Humboldt Broncos bus crash; there is no manual for how you deal with that type of tragic incident. From the families, to the community, to the first responders, there is no manual or guideline on what is the right thing to say as premier. You rely on being you and hope that that is enough.

New opposition

Mills: Ryan Meili is the new leader of the NDP, the official Opposition. What has it been like to face him? What has he brought to the table that previous leaders did not?

Moe: I try to focus my attention on the people I represent and the people of the province. Although Mr. Meili is different from previous leaders, the topics they are raising are very similar to what we have seen in the past like, how did you purchase land or where did the documents come from?

All of it is fair and is right for an Opposition to ask now and into the future. It is not for me to make too many comments on the tact they take. It is for me to make comments on behalf of the government with respect to the decisions that we’re making and being accountable to the people we represent.

Regrets

Mills: Any regrets as you look back on the year? Are you glad you took the job?

Moe: There’s not a lot of things I regret in my life or things I would have changed for that matter, save a few, so no, no regrets.

I work with some wonderful people that I am excited to go to work with each and every day. I am so thankful that as we get into the job and all that is required of the job that I have the full support of my wife and family. Had that not worked out and had all of their support I might have a different answer.