BECK TELLS SARM IT ‘WILL TAKE ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT’ TO BUILD CANADA’S ECONOMIC FUTURE

As trade war with US continues, Sask. NDP Leader says more rail lines, pipelines, power lines and a twinned Highway 1 will prevent provincial and national economy from being held hostage in future

SASKATOON – Speaking at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities Convention Wednesday, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck called for a nationwide plan to build Canada’s future with more rail lines, pipelines and power lines.

She also insisted on the need to twin the TransCanada Highway No. 1 from coast-to-coast and to establish high-speed rural broadband for every home in the province.

Beck said the ongoing trade war with Trump should serve as a “wakeup call” for all Canadian political leaders to get the country’s world-class products to tidewater, access new trade markets and diversify the economy.

“The projects I’m proposing will take all levels of government, cooperation across political party and provincial lines,” Beck said in her speech. “With federal and provincial budgets coming in just a few weeks, we must see movement — some of the initial building blocks — to set these future-focused infrastructure projects in motion.

Beck added she believed Saskatchewan, located in the heart of country, should and can play a critical role in getting products built.

“I know we can do this,” Beck said. “We HAVE to do this. Our province, small as it is, has always been a leader. We get s--t done.”

After Trump again threatened Canada’s sovereignty on Tuesday while imposing tariffs of 25 per cent on steel and aluminum, Beck again reinforced that both Saskatchewan and Canada are not for sale.

Beck has been critical of the weak and lagging response to the Trump trade war by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who one media commenter recently called “Slow Moe.”

“In the words of a famous hockey player from Floral, Saskatchewan, it’s time to get our elbows up,” Beck said. “We should be considering every tool in the toolbox, and some of that includes retaliating against the Trump tariffs.”

The Saskatchewan NDP’s four-point plan to Build Canada includes:

Expansion of Rail and Port Capacity – Upgrading rail lines, including short-line rail, to ensure Saskatchewan’s agricultural and mining exports can efficiently reach overseas markets.
A Pipeline to the East Coast – Constructing critical infrastructure to deliver Saskatchewan and Alberta oil and gas to European markets while alleviating pressure on rail transport.
Strengthening Power Transmission – Investing in power generation and interties to secure electricity supply and position Saskatchewan as a leader in energy production.
Twinning Highway 1 from Coast to Coast – Ensuring the efficient movement of goods within Canada without reliance on U.S. trade routes.

“These are not just ideas -- these are necessary steps we must take to ensure our economy is never held hostage again,” Beck said.

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