Saskatchewan Minute: Issue 58

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

📅 This Week In Saskatchewan: 📅

• Premier Scott Moe said his government is not interested in separation from Canada, but emphasized the importance of giving people a voice through democratic means like referendums. His comments came amid renewed discussion of western separatism following a fourth consecutive federal Liberal win, prompting a 75-minute emergency debate in the legislature. The NDP criticized Moe for failing to clearly reject separatism, accusing him of pandering to separatist sentiment rather than firmly supporting national unity. Moe countered by blaming the federal government and the NDP for unfair treatment of Saskatchewan and said the province wants change - not separation nor the current status quo. He stressed that Saskatchewan can grow within a strong and united Canada. Moe also defended the public’s right to petition for referendums, saying the government won’t silence those voices.
  
  
• Moe also said that the results of the federal election are an opportunity to reset Saskatchewan’s relationship with Ottawa, inviting Prime Minister Mark Carney to visit the province and discuss key policy concerns. Moe emphasized the need for meaningful consultation on issues like the carbon tax, clean electricity regulations, and infrastructure delays, calling for tailored policies rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. He also urged swift federal action on trade issues with China and the US, and expressed cautious optimism about Carney’s stated willingness to work with Western provinces. 13 of Saskatchewan’s 14 ridings elected Conservative MPs, with Buckley Belanger becoming the province’s first Liberal MP since 2015.
  
  
• The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for an end to the use of virtual doctors in emergency situations, arguing it's inappropriate for life-threatening conditions or childbirth. In 27 rural communities, patients are assessed by nurses and connected to virtual doctors through 811 due to the lack of in-person physician coverage. Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill defended the program as a temporary solution that helps maintain access to care in underserved areas, calling it a tool, not a replacement for doctors. NDP health critic Vicki Mowat described the reliance on virtual care in emergencies a sign of a failing health system and criticized the government for normalizing it. Dr. Johann Roodt from the Saskatchewan Health Authority said the program has been effective and safe since its launch in 2023, though he acknowledged its limitations. An NDP motion to ban virtual care in emergencies and childbirth was introduced but altered by government members before debate concluded without a vote.
  
  
• SaskPower has awarded contracts for two major renewable energy projects in southern Saskatchewan, both featuring a 51% Indigenous ownership stake. The 200-megawatt Rose Valley Wind Project near Assiniboia and the 100-megawatt Southern Springs Solar Project near Coronach will be developed in partnership with Potentia Renewables and the Meadow Lake Tribal Council and Mistawasis Nêhiyawak First Nation. These projects represent the largest Indigenous ownership of utility-scale renewables in Saskatchewan. Both facilities are expected to be operational by late 2027 and will power the equivalent of 125,000 homes.
  
  
• The Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) has formally initiated legal proceedings over a historic land claim in the province's northwest, a case that has been stalled since 2005. The claim, supported by the North West Saskatchewan Métis Council, targets both the federal and provincial governments for failing to respect Métis rights to land and resources. MN-S leaders say they were forced into court after repeated failed attempts to resolve the matter through negotiation. The lawsuit highlights grievances such as the lack of consultation on commercial harvesting rights and infringement on Aboriginal title. A recent Supreme Court ruling affirmed MN-S’s right to challenge Saskatchewan’s consultation practices.
  
  
• Scott Banda has been appointed as the new chancellor of the University of Saskatchewan, replacing Grit McCreath after nearly six years in the role. A U of S alumnus, Banda brings executive experience from roles at Federated Co-operatives and the CFL board of governors. As chancellor, he will preside over convocation, confer degrees, chair the university senate, and serve on the Board of Governors. Banda called the appointment an honour and said it’s his chance to give back to an institution that helped shape his life.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

The Liberals have won again, and Saskatchewan is once more stuck with a federal government that doesn’t share our values or priorities.

But we’re not powerless - Saskatchewan can push back and move forward, with the right plan. We have launched our Saskatchewan's Future survey to hear directly from you. 

We want to know how you’re feeling, what concerns you most, and what you think Saskatchewan should do next. 

This is your chance to help shape Saskatchewan’s future - please take a few minutes to complete our survey today:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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