Saskatchewan Minute: Senate Appointment, Trade Concerns, and a Strong Housing Market

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

This Week In Saskatchewan:

• The Saskatchewan NDP is calling for a special task force to lobby against U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed 25% tariff on Canadian goods. Party leader Carla Beck wants Premier Scott Moe to lead a delegation, including herself, business and First Nations leaders, to Washington to prevent a trade war.
  
  
• Beck will get part of what she wants, as Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is heading to Washington, DC to discuss trade, tariffs, and border security with US officials. He plans to emphasize Saskatchewan’s role in energy and food exports while advocating for a tariff-free trade environment to benefit both economies. Moe also supports stronger border measures to combat fentanyl trafficking and will highlight the importance of interprovincial trade within Canada. Following his US visit, he will travel to Mexico to strengthen export relationships, particularly in agriculture and energy.
  
  
• Saskatchewan’s housing market is experiencing a strong start to 2025, with Regina and Saskatoon showing impressive sales figures despite ongoing inventory challenges. The Saskatchewan Realtors Association reports that January sales were 17% above the 10-year average, marking the 19th consecutive month of above-average sales. Saskatoon saw a 3% year-over-year increase, with home prices rising 7% to $403,400. Regina’s market remains strong despite a 4% drop in year-over-year sales, with home prices reaching $316,300, a 5% increase from last year. Inventory levels in both cities are significantly below historical averages, contributing to rising prices and high demand.

Last Week In Saskatchewan:

• The Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce welcomed the temporary suspension of a 25% tariff on Canadian exports to the United States but warned that businesses still face uncertainty. The Chamber emphasized the need for long-term economic strategies rather than relying on short-term reprieves, and urged Canadian leaders to address interprovincial trade barriers that hinder business growth and workforce mobility.
  
  
• Todd Lewis, a Saskatchewan farmer and Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, has been appointed as an independent senator by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Lewis joins Baltej Dhillon from British Columbia and Martine Hébert from Quebec in this round of appointments. Seven Senate vacancies remain, including one in Saskatchewan.
  
  
• The Saskatchewan SPCA has begun construction on a $2.1-million Emergency Animal Care Centre near Asquith, aimed at providing temporary shelter for animals in crisis. The facility will support pets from cruelty investigations, families displaced by disasters, and individuals facing emergencies such as hospitalization or domestic violence. To help fund the project, the SPCA launched the "There to Care" 50/50 campaign, aiming to raise $300,000. Unlike other shelters, this facility will combine safekeeping, hospital care, and emergency housing in one location.