Prime minister tours Saskatoon’s Vital Metals, premier not invited to event

Premier Scott Moe was not on the short list of attendees as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a brief stop in Saskatoon on Monday morning.

The prime minister toured Vital Metals, Canada’s first rare earth mineral/metal processing facility which will produce materials used mainly to power electric vehicles and wind turbines.

Trudeau, accompanied by a few media members and other dignitaries including Mayor Charlie Clark, took about 40 minutes to tour the facility, which is still under construction.

At the end of the tour, a brief media availability was held during which media members were limited to one question each. The first question asked was why Moe was not told about or invited to the event.

“There’s work to be done on encouraging the government of Saskatchewan to see the opportunities that companies and indeed workers are seeing in cleaner jobs (and) the opportunities for cleaner energy projects. These are things we’re going to continue to work on,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau added he also has had lots of “great opportunities” to make announcements with Moe over the years.

During a media availability in Regina later Monday, Moe said several times he was disappointed by the decision.

“This is another one of those points where the policy and the direction of the Province of Saskatchewan matches very closely with the policy and direction of the federal government and so that’s why I was disappointed to not be informed of (Trudeau’s) presence here today,” said Moe.

“Are my feelings hurt or anything by this? Certainly not. But this is a missed opportunity, and one that maybe we’ll have the opportunity to pick up on this conversation in the very near future.”

Moe said had he been invited, he and the prime minister would have been able to talk about investment in the plant’s second phase and the opportunities to get the plant to net zero.

When it comes to Trudeau’s comments on clean jobs, Moe said: “I think that’s a disingenuous statement, quite frankly, and an uneducated statement, quite frankly.”

Moe talked about the work his government is doing on greener energy for SaskPower, given the federal regulations phasing out coal and natural gas power.

The premier doesn’t think there’s a bad relationship between the province and federal governments.

“I represent Saskatchewan people to the best of my ability each and every time on each and every issue that is there. That is my responsibility. It is not my responsibility to take any personal feelings that I have to the decision-making process, and I would expect the same,” said Moe.

Moe did say that when his office reached out to the prime minister’s office, an apology was offered.

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck responded to the premier’s comments by saying she thinks Moe isn’t focused on what’s important.

“We’re seeing the premier fall back into this pattern of yelling from Twitter instead of getting to the table and showcasing what today should have been a very good news story about the opportunity, minerals and innovation here in Saskatchewan,” Beck said during a Zoom call with reporters.

Beck, who was in Prince Albert on Monday, said people are tired of hearing the same bickering between the provincial and federal governments.

“People are deeply disappointed that this is the story that’s being told about our province instead of using this as a showcase on a national stage for those looking to move here and invest here,” Beck said.

Vital Metals

Vital Metals managing director John Dorward said that although the facility is still under construction, it should be up and running and producing material in the latter part of 2023.

“There’s basically 17 rare earth elements. The two primary ones that are of most interest are neodymium and praseodymium. The primary use of those in electric motors,” he said.

Dorward said the Saskatoon plant is designed as a standalone commercial property and also as a proof of concept project for a much larger plant in the Northwest Territories.

Health care

The Ontario government is spending nearly $20 million on for-profit centres to perform surgeries. Trudeau was asked if the federal government did provide more money to provinces for health care, whether there would be a stipulation that it be used in the public system only.

“It is one of the primary responsibilities of the federal government in matters of health-care delivery to ensure that the Canada Health Act is always respected. That’s what we’re going to continue to watch across the country.”

Trudeau said he’s had conversations with Moe and Ontario Premier Doug Ford to try and improve health care, and they’re all “very much on the same page.”

“There is a need for more money (and) there is a need for more delivery of results,” Trudeau added.

Trudeau also hinted there could be some “positive steps forward” in the very near future.

Amendments to gun legislation and Bill C-21

The prime minister reiterated comments he has made in the past, and said there wasn’t any place for assault-style weapons.

“We understand and fully respect and will defend people’s rights to hunt and fish and for farmers who are protecting their properties. But the reality is, some guns are too dangerous and shouldn’t be anywhere in Canada,” Trudeau said.

Trudeau admitted there were concerns about the latest amendments to the bill which have been criticized for potentially including hunting rifles.

“We’re not going after people’s rights to hunt, particularly not Indigenous peoples,” he said. “But we are ensuring that our communities are as safe as possible moving forward.”

— With files from 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick and Brett Lubkiwski