Saskatchewan Minute: EV Fees, Canola Tariffs, and a School Nutrition Program

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

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• The Saskatchewan government is doubling the electric vehicle registration fee from $150 to $300 to ensure EV owners contribute to road maintenance, similar to gas vehicle owners who pay through fuel taxes. The Province is also increasing administrative fees for park services, including lease applications, building permits, and shore maintenance. Additionally, a new $1,000 flat fee will be introduced for construction permits for hazardous goods facilities. The province is, however, reducing wholesale liquor mark-ups for certain wines, expecting retailers to save $226,000.
  
  
• Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is warning the public about scammers using his photo to promote cryptocurrency scams. In a social media post, Moe clarified that he would never endorse crypto or any specific investment. The Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan confirmed that fake news articles are circulating, falsely claiming Moe supports trading platforms that are not registered with the Province.
  
  
• Moe says he is confident that the Province will sign an extension with the federal government to maintain the $10-a-day childcare program until at least 2031. Although Saskatchewan, along with Alberta, has not yet agreed to the extension, Moe expects an agreement will be reached once the Province's concerns and initiatives are addressed. The federal government has provided $36.8 billion for the program's extension, with the expectation that each province and territory will negotiate specific terms.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• Premier Scott Moe expressed strong concern about the impact of Chinese and US tariffs. He warned that a 100% tariff on canola and meal exports to China, set to take effect on March 20th, would severely harm Saskatchewan's canola industry in a matter of weeks. In response to Ottawa not removing EV tariffs, which have led to the Chinese tariffs on canola, Moe emphasized that protecting industries and workers should include those in Saskatchewan. “Team Canada can't just mean Team Quebec,” he said. Moe wants new Prime Minister Mark Carney to engage with China to find a way through the situation.
  
  
• Saskatchewan announced a pilot framework to assist municipalities in safely disposing of abandoned buildings while providing firefighter training opportunities. The initiative aims to address the problem of derelict structures, which pose safety risks, lower property values, and burden local governments financially. The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) had previously called for provincial support to help with these challenges. The pilot will see collaboration between municipalities and local volunteer fire departments for the safe demolition of abandoned buildings. The provincial government plans to roll out the framework by summer 2025.
  
  
• The Province has signed a $15.8 million, three-year agreement with the federal government to participate in Canada’s National School Food Program. The initiative, part of a larger $1 billion investment, aims to provide meals to up to 400,000 students across the country over five years. Education Minister Everett Hindley emphasized the importance of nutrition in supporting positive academic outcomes.