Saskatchewan Minute: Issue 88

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

📅 This Week In Saskatchewan: 📅

• We don't usually ask for a favour in these emails, but right now, we're running our Black Friday / Giving Tuesday fundraiser, and if we can raise $5,000 by the end of tomorrow, a very generous donor has offered to double every single donation. So, if you like the research and advocacy work we do, and the information we bring you, and would like to make a donation to support the cause of freedom, now is the perfect time! Info on how to donate online is available here.
  
  
• The province is now projecting a $427-million deficit for 2025-26, a sharp reversal from the $12-million surplus forecast in March. The mid-year financial report attributes the shortfall mainly to wildfire-related costs and rising health-care spending, with total expenses increasing by more than $521 million since budget time. Finance Minister Jim Reiter said global economic uncertainty, tariffs, and weakening commodity prices - particularly oil - are driving many of the pressures, though he maintained the provincial economy remains resilient. Revenue is forecast at $21.13 billion, bolstered by higher federal transfers and own-source revenue, but non-renewable resource revenue is down due to lower oil prices and a higher exchange rate. Exports have fallen by $1.4 billion so far this year. The Opposition NDP criticized the government’s original projections as unrealistic, pointing to overly optimistic oil price assumptions and the inclusion of revenue from the province’s now-defunct carbon pricing system. Reiter said he expects the province to remain in deficit into the spring.
  
  
• Premier Scott Moe says Saskatchewan has reached an agreement with the federal government to renew the $10-a-day childcare deal, securing funding until March 2031. The current five-year agreement, which covers reduced daycare fees and wage enhancements for early childhood educators, was set to expire in 2026, leaving families and operators uncertain about future affordability and staffing stability. Parents say the renewal brings major relief after months of concern about rising costs and the possibility of losing access to affordable care. Childcare workers also say the extension provides clarity, noting that many educators were considering leaving the field if wage enhancements were discontinued. Some reported they would have lost $5 to $7 per hour without a renewed agreement. With the deal now set to be signed Friday, advocates hope it will support workforce retention and maintain access to affordable care for Saskatchewan families.
  
  
• The province has introduced amendments to The Saskatchewan Firearms Act aimed at protecting gun owners as the federal government advances its national firearms buyback program. The changes would require anyone seizing a firearm under federal law to provide owners with fair-market compensation, as determined by the Saskatchewan Firearms Office. The province claims this policy ensures residents are not left absorbing financial losses from federal prohibitions that affect more than 2,500 firearm models. Local retailers say the federal compensation structure has already caused inventory write-offs and uncertainty for lawful owners. The amendments also allow the provincial firearms office to store prohibited firearms while owners await payment and create an appraisal portal for affected firearms and accessories. Saskatchewan continues to advocate for alternatives to the federal buyback, noting capped federal funding and first-come, first-served compensation may limit payouts for Prairie provinces. While the federal program is voluntary, owners face criminal liability if prohibited firearms are not disposed of by October 2026.
  
  
• Saskatchewan’s plan to export potash through a new US terminal is drawing criticism from provincial leaders and federal ministers, who argue the move risks placing a key resource under foreign control. Nutrien is pursuing a US$500 million to $1 billion export facility in Longview, Washington, after examining about 30 North American ports. Premier Scott Moe blamed political tensions with British Columbia for discouraging investment on the West Coast, while Premier David Eby warned the US route leaves Saskatchewan vulnerable to sudden tariffs from President Trump. Federal ministers urged the company to reconsider and build in B.C., calling the decision premature. Industry groups said the move highlights Canada’s slow progress on port expansion and the need for faster, tangible improvements to national supply chains ahead of a final decision in 2027.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!