Saskatchewan Minute: Issue 72

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

📅 This Week In Saskatchewan: 📅

• Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Ontario are collaborating to study the feasibility of a new west-east pipeline that would connect western oil and gas supplies to Ontario’s ports and refineries. This project aims to enhance Canada’s energy self-reliance, create thousands of jobs, and open new trade and investment opportunities. The initiative gained momentum amid concerns about potential US tariffs, which could disrupt Canada’s energy exports, prompting a need for more secure, domestic infrastructure. The Premiers signed a memorandum of understanding to work together on pipelines and trade infrastructure across provincial borders earlier this year. A formal request for proposals for the feasibility study has been issued and is open to companies across Canada.
  
  
• Saskatchewan is positioning itself as a global player in lithium production, with companies exploring greener methods to tap the province’s vast underground reserves. Lithium demand rose nearly 18% last year, driven by the electric vehicle boom, yet most global supply and processing is based in countries like China, Australia and Chile. Saskatchewan firms aim to break that pattern using direct lithium extraction (DLE), a newer method that pulls lithium from brine and recycles water, avoiding the high environmental costs of evaporation ponds and strip mining. While DLE has a smaller land and water footprint, experts warn it remains untested at commercial scale. Despite current lithium prices hovering around $8,000 to $10,000 per tonne, local companies believe innovation will soon make Saskatchewan’s high-quality, shallow reserves economically viable. With available infrastructure, labour from the oil and gas sector, and growing global interest, the province could become a major domestic source of this critical mineral.
  
  
• Premier Scott Moe says his government is working to identify the creators of artificial intelligence “deepfake” videos that use his image and voice in cryptocurrency scam ads. Some of the videos also depict Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Moe confirmed on social media that neither he nor others portrayed in the clips have any involvement. Moe first addressed the issue in March and says tackling such scams remains difficult, though the province continues to investigate. Saskatchewan’s consumer protection agency has issued repeated warnings about these impersonation schemes and urges residents not to send money to unregistered businesses. The rise of AI-generated media has prompted growing concern among public officials about digital misinformation and fraud, especially when it misleads the public using fabricated endorsements from trusted figures. Moe has not indicated whether criminal charges may be pursued if the individuals behind the videos are found.
  
  
• The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) implemented an Indigenous Hair Cutting Policy on August 1 to protect the cultural and spiritual importance of hair for Indigenous patients in healthcare settings. The policy mandates informed consent before cutting a patient’s hair and ensures respectful handling and return of hair when necessary. It also states that hair cutting should only happen for urgent medical reasons, not for treating lice. This policy applies in both emergency and non-emergency situations, reflecting the SHA’s commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and culturally sensitive care. The policy was prompted in part by past incidents, such as the case of Ruben St. Charles, whose braid was cut without consent during a hospital stay. Staff are required to follow the policy strictly, with potential disciplinary consequences for violations. While the policy is praised as a positive step, some advocates hope it leads to genuine respect rather than tokenism, and note that respectful treatment of hair matters to other cultural groups as well.
  
  
• SaskPower describes this year’s wildfire season in Saskatchewan as unprecedented in scale and impact, especially in the northeast where roughly 300 pieces of equipment, mostly power poles, were lost. The wildfires began earlier than usual and have caused significant damage to infrastructure, though the northwest fires have so far affected fewer power poles. SaskPower crews have been working closely with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency to ensure repairs are done safely and efficiently, focusing on damage assessments and restoring power quickly. Despite the difficult conditions, the crews’ dedication and professionalism have been praised. No major damage has occurred at substations or switching stations yet. SaskPower is urging the public to stay clear of downed power lines and report them promptly, and offers a special natural disaster support line for affected customers.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Let’s have some fun this week!

In her recently released single, Grammy winner Chappell Roan suggests "movin’ to Saskatchewan" as the cure for heartbreak - and now our province is in the global spotlight.

If you’ve made the move yourself, we want to hear your story: what brought you here, what’s kept you here, and what’s your must-see recommendation for someone visiting?

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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