Saskatchewan Minute: Issue 84

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

📅 This Week In Saskatchewan: 📅

• Premier Scott Moe expressed support for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s use of the notwithstanding clause to end a three-week teachers’ strike. He called the move regrettable but necessary to ensure students returned to class and emphasized that the clause is a constitutional tool available to elected governments. Alberta used the clause to pass legislation forcing 51,000 teachers back to work. The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation criticized the action as unprecedented and disrespectful, while NDP Leader Carla Beck called it inexcusable. Moe noted that governments should still aim to reach agreements at the bargaining table without disrupting public services. He has previously used the notwithstanding clause in Saskatchewan to regulate school decisions on name or pronoun changes for children under 16, a law currently under judicial review. Moe framed both uses as ways for governments to act in the interest of residents, despite controversy. 
  
  
• The Saskatchewan government has tabled The Tailgating Act, legislation that would officially permit tailgating at Saskatchewan Roughriders home games starting with the 2026 CFL season. Introduced by Minister Alana Ross, who oversees the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority, the bill outlines clear rules for safe, responsible tailgating in designated parking areas near Mosaic Stadium for season ticket holders. The new law will require event permits, coordination with provincial regulators, and on-site supervision to manage alcohol consumption and crowd behaviour. Both the governing Saskatchewan Party and the NDP Opposition have expressed support, stating the goal is to make the province a model for regulated fan events while maintaining public safety. The program will be reviewed after the 2026 season, ahead of Regina’s hosting of the 2027 Grey Cup, which could see expanded approval for tailgating at other major events.
  
  
• Premier Scott Moe is urging Ottawa to intervene after India announced a 30% tariff on yellow pea imports, a major hit to a province that shipped nearly $480 million worth of peas in 2024. In a letter to federal ministers, Moe called for immediate talks with both India and China, which already maintains a $100 tariff on Canadian canola and other goods. Combined, India and China account for 71% of Saskatchewan’s pea exports. The NDP Opposition accused Moe of inconsistent trade leadership, citing a sharp drop in exports to China following tariff disputes tied to federal electric vehicle policies. While Moe’s government has urged Ottawa to drop EV tariffs to ease tensions, the Opposition says Saskatchewan producers are paying the price for political missteps and need stronger provincial advocacy to secure export access.
  
  
• The Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) says it remains confident in its new Administrative Information Management System (AIMS), despite growing complaints from front-line workers. The $272-million program was meant to streamline payroll, supply chains, and scheduling across the health system, replacing dozens of legacy systems. While the SHA has abandoned the scheduling component after repeated issues, CEO Andrew Will said the payroll and supply modules remain stable and effective. Health-care workers, however, report shortages of basic supplies such as syringes and catheters, blaming flaws in the ordering process. Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said pausing the scheduling tool will allow resources to be redirected toward fixing other problems. The Opposition NDP criticized the ballooning cost and persistent inefficiencies, calling it a failure of fiscal oversight. The SHA said improvements are ongoing but insists AIMS will ultimately deliver a more unified and reliable system.
  
  
• The SHA also plans to overhaul how it informs the public about emergency room closures and service disruptions, following growing frustration from patients and community members. Starting in early November, the SHA will post all emergency service interruptions - regardless of duration - on its website, with daily updates at 4:00 pm, seven days a week. The change follows criticism that rural residents were often unaware of ER closures, including a recent case in Herbert where the SHA initially denied a shutdown. The announcement coincided with the NDP Opposition’s introduction of a bill that would require public notice within one hour of any closure. NDP Leader Carla Beck and MLA Jared Clarke argue that real-time transparency is essential for safety after data revealed 643 ER disruptions since late 2023. The SHA says further upgrades are planned to eventually offer real-time online updates alongside current 811 information.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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