Saskatchewan Minute: Issue 73

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

📅 This Week In Saskatchewan: 📅

• Saskatchewan canola farmers are facing uncertainty after China announced a 75.8% anti-dumping duty on Canadian canola seed, continuing the ongoing trade tensions between the two countries. The tariffs follow China’s earlier 100% levy on Canadian canola oil and meal, which were in retaliation for Canada’s tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Farmers and industry groups warn the new duties could force producers to sell at a loss and disrupt the market, as China is the largest export market for canola seed. Premier Scott Moe called for a swift resolution and expressed concern over the economic impact on the province. Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed potential support measures with Moe, though no specific plan has been announced. Farmers and officials have rejected the dumping claims, emphasizing that Canadian canola meets high-quality standards. Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck has urged Carney to organize a trade mission to China and consider easing tariffs on Chinese EVs to resolve the dispute. 
  
  
• Patrick Bundrock, the former Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Party, and former MLA and Roughrider Gene Makowsky have taken on new roles within the provincial government. Bundrock has been hired as a Senior Policy Adviser in the Premier’s Office, while Makowsky is now Chief of Staff in the Government Caucus Office, replacing Angela Currie. Makowsky, who lost his Regina University seat in the 2024 election, previously served in several ministerial roles, including Parks, Culture and Sport, Advanced Education, and Social Services. Bundrock will continue to assist Premier Scott Moe and work toward the party’s 2028 re-election. These personnel changes precede the party’s 2025 convention, where post-election strategies and policies will be discussed. 
  
  
• The Saskatchewan NDP is renewing its push for rent control, targeting Calgary-based rental company Boardwalk as an example of why limits are needed. NDP Housing Critic April ChiefCalf criticized Boardwalk’s recent purchase of three properties in Saskatoon and Regina, noting a 13% profit increase in the company's Saskatchewan business and arguing that the absence of rent control allows landlords to raise rents and prioritize profits. Boardwalk CEO Sam Kolias rejected this, claiming Saskatchewan’s lack of rent control helps keep rents affordable by encouraging new supply and competition. ChiefCalf plans to introduce a Private Members Bill this fall, focusing on protecting seniors and others on fixed incomes from steep rent hikes. The Saskatchewan government also dismissed the NDP’s proposal, arguing that restricting investment could reduce housing supply and worsen affordability. 
  
  
• A Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench judge has reserved her decision on a legal application by environmental and climate groups seeking to halt the province’s plan to extend the operation of three coal-fired power plants at Shand, Boundary Dam, and Poplar River. The groups are requesting the court require the government to justify why the extensions are necessary and to impose an interim injunction to stop work on restarting Boundary Dam 4 until records are produced. The application follows a June 18th letter from Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison informing SaskPower employees of the coal plant life extensions, which were originally set to close by 2030 to meet Canada’s climate targets. Justice Heather MacMillan-Brown has not yet granted the injunction, noting she must first determine whether the court has proper jurisdiction to review the matter. Government lawyers argue the application is based solely on a ministerial letter reflecting a core policy decision, which they say is not subject to judicial review. Environmental groups counter that policy decisions are not exempt from court scrutiny and that delays could allow the government to spend public funds on refurbishing the plants before the case is considered. Premier Scott Moe defended the extensions as necessary for affordable and reliable power, while federal regulations aim for significant greenhouse gas reductions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. Critics say the government is using procedural delays strategically to advance its coal plant plans.
  
  
• In another legal matter, Saskatchewan’s Court of Appeal has ruled that a lower court can examine whether the province’s pronoun consent law, known as the Parents’ Bill of Rights (Bill 137), violates constitutional rights despite the law invoking the notwithstanding clause. The law requires students under 16 to obtain parental consent before school staff use a preferred name or gender identity. Four of five judges allowed UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity’s legal challenge to proceed, though portions targeting the earlier government policy were dismissed as moot. The court emphasized it was not ruling on whether the law actually infringes rights, only that the lower court can review potential violations under sections 7 and 15(1) of the Charter, as well as Section 12, which protects against cruel or unusual treatment. The dissenting judge would have blocked any judicial review of the law. The provincial government maintains that Bill 137 protects parental rights and remains in effect.
  
  
• The federal government is providing over $1.3 million in interest-free loans to three Saskatchewan businesses to advance artificial intelligence development and help them compete globally. Ground Truth Agriculture will receive $586,900 to commercialize its AI-driven grain grading system, Greenwave Innovations Inc. gets $425,000 to improve its energy monitoring platform, and Offstreet Technology Inc. will receive $300,000 to expand its cloud-based parking registration technology. The funding is intended to help these companies scale up, innovate, and create jobs, with an expected 50 positions and $30.5 million in revenue growth, including $5.6 million in exports. Federal Minister Eleanor Olszewski emphasized that the investment is crucial for keeping Canadian businesses competitive in a rapidly evolving global AI market. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Saskatchewan’s canola farmers are at risk from China’s damaging tariffs.

Should Canada keep up countermeasures, provide more direct government support, or drop the EV tariffs to open the door for negotiation?

What do you think is the best path forward? Share your thoughts and help shape the conversation.

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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