Moe calls on Ottawa to increase pressure over canola dispute

The prime minister is facing pressure from Saskatchewan to increase Canada’s pressure on China amid the dispute over canola imports.

Premier Scott Moe joined John Gormley on Tuesday, expressing frustration with the lack of progress to resolve the issue of China’s ban on Canadian canola imports, based on claims of poor quality and pests.

More than one month after the refusal of Canadian canola, Moe said producers in Western Canada are facing real impacts.

“We need to do something to ensure that we capture the attention of our second-largest trading partner,” said Moe.

Moe planned to speak with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Tuesday and is expected to call for the federal government to step up its inspections of Chinese goods in order to force a response.

“We should consider putting those products under a similar level of scrutiny as what our canola is currently undergoing in China,” said Moe.

When asked if he would go a step further and support sanctions against Chinese telecom company Huawei or Chinese government representatives in Saskatchewan, Moe was reluctant to go down that route at this time.

“That would be elevating it beyond what is a trade relationship, if you will, to more of the human relationship. I don’t know if I’m quite at that point as of yet,” said Moe.

The premier said what’s needed is for both governments to sit down at the table and he’s still waiting for a Canadian delegation to be sent to China to try to resolve the issue. Moe said it needs to happen soon and has offered Saskatchewan’s support at the table.

“We have a problem here,” he said. “It’s being felt at the farm gate but I would say the prime minister has a problem here as well.”