Saskatchewan Minute: Fentanyl Fines, Sustainability Startups, and All Pipelines Approved

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

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• The Province is introducing stricter penalties to combat fentanyl and methamphetamine trafficking, including fines of up to $1 million for unauthorized production and distribution. Those convicted of drug-related crimes may also lose provincial licenses, such as driver's licenses and business permits, to deter illegal activity. The Province is enhancing enforcement efforts by prioritizing drug-related offenders, seizing illegally obtained property, and updating trespassing laws to address drug use in semi-public spaces. Additionally, Saskatchewan will classify certain drug-related items as street weapons, giving police more authority to confiscate them.
  
  
• New numbers show that Saskatchewan led all provinces in private capital investment growth in 2024, with a 17.3% increase over the previous year, reaching $14.7 billion. The Province is expected to continue its strong performance in 2025, with private investment projected to rise by 10.1% to $16.2 billion. Total capital investment also surged by 16.9% in 2024, reaching $19.9 billion, and is forecasted to grow by 10.8% in 2025, placing Saskatchewan first among provinces. Officials attribute this success to a competitive business environment, low taxes, and a clear regulatory framework aimed at attracting investment. Saskatchewan’s real GDP also hit a record $77.9 billion in 2023.
  
  
• Saskatchewan is investing $1.09 million into four sustainability-focused startups through the Saskatchewan Advantage Innovation Fund and Agtech Growth Fund. The recipients  - EcoLoop Sustainable Technologies, Greenwave Innovations, Archetype Global 3D, and BetterCart Analytics - are developing innovative solutions in their respective fields. The funding aims to support emerging businesses and drive technological advancements in the province.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• Premier Scott Moe announced that all pipeline permits for projects moving east, west, or south will be treated as pre-approved by the provincial government. He made the statement while in Washington, DC, advocating for Saskatchewan’s trade relationship with the US amid tariff threats. Moe urged other provinces and the federal government to adopt a similar approach to pipeline approvals. His comments followed President Donald Trump’s renewed support for reviving the Keystone XL pipeline.
  
  
• The Supreme Court of Canada has dismissed an appeal from the Saskatchewan government, allowing Metis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) to proceed with its lawsuit over a lack of consultation on uranium exploration permits. MN-S argues it has Aboriginal title and rights to the land where NexGen Energy Ltd. received approval for development. The ruling upholds MN-S's constitutional right to be consulted on major projects impacting its communities. Saskatchewan had claimed the lawsuit was an abuse of process, but the court ruled otherwise, stating that multiple legal proceedings on similar issues do not automatically undermine the judicial system. The case will now return to the Court of King’s Bench for further proceedings.
  
  
• Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck unveiled a plan to strengthen both the provincial and national economies, emphasizing reduced reliance on the US. Beck's proposal includes expanding short-line rail capacity to improve agricultural and mining exports and constructing a pipeline to the East Coast for energy exports. She also called for twinning the Trans-Canada Highway to enhance domestic trade and building interprovincial electricity transmission lines to boost energy security. NDP MLA Aleana Young argued the federal government should fund these projects, citing past federal investments in power infrastructure. Beck stressed that Canada must take control of its economic future, warning that inaction would come at a high cost. She framed the plan as a necessary nation-building initiative amid growing trade uncertainties.