Saskatchewan Minute: Chinese Tariffs, Independence Support, and a Derelict Building Pilot

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• Saskatchewan is rolling out a suite of new tax relief and affordability measures as part of its 2025-26 provincial budget. The plan includes more than $250 million in new tax savings this year and over $2 billion in ongoing affordability supports. Key changes include increasing personal and family tax exemptions by $500 annually for the next four years, raising seniors’ supplements, and enhancing a range of family and disability benefits. Education property taxes will drop, and new homebuyers and renovators will see added tax credits. More than 300,000 residents are expected to benefit once fully implemented.
  
  
• Saskatchewan is launching a new campaign this spring to recruit doctors from the United States, citing the “uncertain political climate” as an opportunity. The Province is partnering with the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency to run digital ads targeting American physicians, promoting Saskatchewan’s compensation, lower cost of living, and faster licensing pathways. The campaign will focus on emergency doctors, anesthesiologists, and family physicians. Officials say interest from US doctors has already grown. While the campaign aims to attract international talent, critics argue more needs to be done to support physicians already in Saskatchewan awaiting licensing.
  
  
• The Saskatchewan government says that 99% of its procurement over the past five years has come from Canadian companies, with just under 1% sourced from the US. This follows new directives introduced in response to American tariffs, emphasizing the prioritization of Canadian - and especially Saskatchewanian - suppliers. Major construction projects through SaskBuilds have exclusively used Canadian general contractors, most of them local. The Ministry of Highways also reported that over 96% of contract value in 2024-25 went to Saskatchewan firms. Additionally, $43 million in VLT and slot machine upgrades will be sourced from non-American suppliers, including machines assembled in Mexico with Canadian, Mexican, and Asian components.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• At the Food, Fuel, Fertilizer Global Summit in Regina, Premier Scott Moe called Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola the “most urgent and most significant” tariff impacting Saskatchewan. He urged the next federal government to prioritize removing the 100% import tax on canola oil and meal, introduced by China in response to Canadian tariffs on electric vehicles and metals. Moe said he has formally contacted and written letters to ambassadors and other Chinese leaders. NDP Leader Carla Beck criticized the lack of progress, noting China had signalled the tariffs months earlier.
  
  
• A new Angus Reid poll revealed that Saskatchewan has the highest rate of support for leaving Canada if the Liberals, led by Mark Carney, win the federal election. One-third of Saskatchewan residents say they would vote for independence or to join the US, with Alberta and Quebec close behind at 30%. The survey was conducted among 2,400 Canadians from March 20th to 24th.
  
  
• The Saskatchewan government has introduced amendments to the Construction Codes Act to help municipalities better manage derelict buildings. The changes support a new pilot project aimed at addressing the challenges posed by municipally-owned abandoned properties. These structures often become financial burdens and safety risks after being acquired through tax enforcement. The pilot will also provide training opportunities for volunteer fire departments across the province. Government officials say the move responds to calls from municipal associations and leaders for more tools to deal with these properties. The pilot project is expected to launch this summer.