“We are in a trade war on two fronts,” said Kim Breckner, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Trade and Economic Development. “It’s time for us to break down trade barriers between our provinces and come together as a country.
“We should be doing everything we can to cut red tape and make it easier to buy Canadian. This is about keeping our dollars in our own country and supporting one another.”
Bill 605, The Free Trade within Canada (Mutual Recognition) Act, will make it easier for goods and services to move between Saskatchewan and the rest of Canada by allowing for recognition of similar rules and standards in other provinces.
MLA Breckner’s bill protects our Crown Corporations and ensures local companies and workers can be prioritized on government projects. The key difference between the NDP’s bill and the government’s bill is that MLA Breckner’s explicitly excludes changes that would weaken occupational health and safety standards that protect workers.
The legislation comes as Saskatchewan’s economy takes a pounding from American and Chinese tariffs. Statistics Canada figures show merchandise exports from Saskatchewan to China have fallen 35.8 per cent year-to-date and were down 76.5 per cent in August 2025 when compared with August 2024. Trade with the United States is down 13.6 per cent year-to-date.
“We need to get our economy moving forward again,” Breckner said. “We need change and the choices we make today will help build a bright future for the people who call this province home.”
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