Moe lays out Saskatchewan’s concerns in letter to PM

Premier Scott Moe has sent Saskatchewan’s wish list to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Moe wrote a letter to Trudeau outlining issues the province would like to see addressed in the Sept. 23 throne speech, ranging from pausing the carbon tax to offering a commitment to the oil and gas sector to approving infrastructure projects.

“Through addressing these priorities in the upcoming Throne Speech, your government would be taking meaningful steps to address the priorities of Saskatchewan people,” Moe wrote.

“Importantly, addressing these priorities would also be significant in addressing the sentiments of western alienation that exist among many Saskatchewan residents and Western Canadians.”

The first topic Moe mentioned was the carbon tax, the constitutionality of which Saskatchewan has challenged in the courts. The matter is to be heard in the Supreme Court of Canada starting on Sept. 22.

“Throughout the pandemic, your government has committed billions of dollars to support Canadians through the economic and financial hardship, yet residents of Saskatchewan continue to be inequitably impacted by hundreds of millions of dollars in added costs from the federal carbon tax,” Moe wrote.

He suggested the tax be paused until the Supreme Court publishes its decision.

Moe’s letter also addressed the federal government’s intention to present what has been called “an ambitious green agenda” in the speech.

The premier said he hoped that wasn’t “code for shutting down our energy industry, a major driver of Canada’s economy.”

Moe asked Trudeau to instead support that industry in the speech, but also to back the research of small modular reactors. Saskatchewan, Ontario, New Brunswick and Alberta all are part of that initiative.

Moe also pointed to his government’s plans to increase the amount of irrigable land in the province and to improve infrastructure — both of which could use the federal government’s assistance.

In terms of infrastructure, Moe said only three municipal projects in Saskatchewan worth about $3.8 million had been given funding by Trudeau’s government since March 1. Another 123 projects worth more than $590 million still need approval from the feds.

“Many of these projects are ‘shovel ready’ as requested by your government, yet the time to put shovels in the ground has come and gone as construction season in Saskatchewan nears its end,” Moe wrote.

“It is greatly concerning that these projects, representing real jobs and real investment in communities, have sat on a desk for months waiting for approval.”

Finally, Moe took aim at transfer payments from the federal government to the provinces and territories.

While discussions are to be held regarding the Canada Health Transfer, Moe said the Fiscal Stabilization Program is broken and doesn’t address the needs of Western Canadians.

“A discussion on the shortfalls of one federal transfer will not compensate for the broken programs of equalization and fiscal stabilization that are currently in place,” Moe wrote.

The premier added he was forwarding copies of the letter to the leaders of the other federal parties because the throne speech will lead to a confidence vote in the House of Commons.