SASKATOON— While Saskatchewan looks to expand trade with markets like Mexico and the European Union to sustain its economy, Premier Scott Moe is also urging residents to support local businesses and buy Canadian goods.
A Buy Canadian campaign has gained traction on social media after U.S. President Donald Trump doubled down on his plan to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian goods, products and raw materials entering the United States. The U.S. is Canada’s largest trading partner.
The campaign encourages Canadians to boycott U.S.-made products, avoid shopping at American-owned stores, and support local businesses and Canadian goods for one day—Friday, Feb. 28.
Some Canadian snowbirds are also cancelling or reconsidering their winter travel plans to the U.S., a move that could significantly impact the country’s tourism industry. Others are boycotting American products, including Tennessee whiskey and Kentucky bourbon.
Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Feb. 19, after a week-long trip to Washington, D.C., and Mexico, Moe joked that he is considering buying a Canadian-built snowmobile and staying in Saskatchewan for the winter.
“I would say that we should always be looking to buy local and buy Canadian. Maybe this is a perfect … opportunity for us to look in the mirror, a reminder that we should be supporting our friends and neighbours that are producing things in our community or our province or our nation and always looking close to home for whatever it is we purchase,” Moe said.
“That's how our communities have been built: by people coming out and supporting one another, volunteering and building the great things you see, whether in a rural community or right here in Saskatoon. This is a very stark reminder for us to always be looking to support those that are local to our community, local to our province and our nation.”
However, Moe emphasized that Saskatchewan is also focused on increasing exports to bolster key industries, including agriculture, energy, manufacturing, mining, and oil and gas. He established the Ministry of Trade and Export Development to oversee trade expansion and lead international trade missions.
He is set to return to Washington, D.C., two weeks after meeting with White House officials and Republican lawmakers alongside other premiers.
He also visited Mexico, stopping in Guadalajara and Mexico City to meet with Saskatchewan’s export clients and industry partners.
Moe highlighted that since the Saskatchewan Party took office in 2007, the province’s export value for agricultural products such as canola and wheat, along with other natural resources, has grown. Saskatchewan is now one of the world’s leading producers of potash and rare earth minerals as well.
“In Saskatchewan, we know how we create our wealth. We create wealth by producing food, fuel and fertilizer and exporting those products to over 160 countries. In 2007, that export value was $17 billion in this province. In 2018, that export value had climbed to $31 billion, at $49 billion last year. In fact, in the last two years, over half of the value of those products has headed to one trading partner, the United States of America. That's regardless of who is president,” said Moe.
Moe acknowledged the challenges of dealing with the U.S. administration but said Saskatchewan must continue engaging with its biggest trading partner.
“So, as we find ourselves in a challenging time, not just as Canadians, but other countries, as well, dealing with an individual that may not be entirely accurate with the perceived facts that they might bring to the table, we have also to face the reality that this gentleman is the president of the United States, and we have to deal with him as he is the president of the largest trading partner that we have, and I would say the longest ally that we have as Canadians,” he said.
Moe added that Canada – particularly Saskatchewan – has contributed to North America's economic security by supplying energy and food to countries across the continent and 160 other nations worldwide.
“We're focused on a few things. One is the long-term ability to remain a strong trading partner to all those nations that make up our continent of North America. That includes Mexico [and] the United States of America. But we're also focused on diversifying and expanding that trade beyond. When you see the mines, the forestry investments, and the value-added agriculture investments that are 小蓝视频 made in this province, it's fair to say that over the next two to five years, $49 billion will climb to many billion more,” he said.
“Saskatchewan is in a powerful position today from an economic perspective to ensure that not only are we economically secure in our province and are providing jobs for Saskatchewan families, but are partaking in a broader economic security conversation across our nation and our continent, and around the world for that matter.”
