Beck reiterates urgent need for mass expansion of rail lines, pipelines and powerlines to connect Canada, access new trade markets
REGINA – As Donald Trump imposed devastating tariffs on the Canadian economy, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck stood with her colleagues outside the provincial legislature Tuesday and demanded an emergency sitting to address the trade war and develop a comprehensive response that will protect Saskatchewan workers, protect the economy and build for the future.
“The Sask. Party is doing the bare minimum when they should be working around the clock to protect our economy,” said Beck. “This is a scary time for a lot of families and businesses. They deserve to know that their government is doing everything they can to protect them.
“We look out for each other in Saskatchewan — it’s part of who we are. It’s time for this government to do the same.”
Despite the threat posed by Trump’s tariffs, the government has delayed the Legislature’s reopening until March 19 — cutting the spring session short.
This prevents MLAs from passing an economic response package and debating the critical infrastructure investments Saskatchewan needs.
“We’re not going to get through this by being reactive,” said Kim Breckner, Shadow Minister for Trade and Export Development. “We need to secure our future by strengthening our trade ties beyond the U.S. market.
“We can access new markets. We can diversify our economy right here but it’s going to take leadership. It’s going to take political willpower.”
The Saskatchewan NDP reiterated its call for the provincial and federal government to commit to bold new investments to expand rail lines, pipelines, and power lines and twin the Trans-Canada Highway from coast to coast.
The Saskatchewan NDP also renewed its calls for the province to fight back by boycotting American goods and choosing made-in-Saskatchewan alternatives.
“This is a crisis – we need to come together and take a stand for our economy, for our country,” Beck said. “We owe it to the people of Saskatchewan to be in this Legislature considering any and all options and being accountable to those who will feel the impact of these tariffs most.”
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THE BATTLEFORDS – While attending a Chamber presentation in The Battlefords, Shadow Seniors Minister Keith Jorgenson slammed Sask. Party Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill for cutting healthcare in his home riding.
NO PLAN TO DEFEND AGAINST TARIFFS OR BUILD ECONOMY, CUTS TO HEALTHCARE & EDUCATION
REGINA - The Sask. Party budget is not focused on the future. In fact, it’s not even based in the reality of the serious challenges facing Saskatchewan today.