REGINA - The opposition New Democrats were taking Premier Scott Moe and the Sask Party government to task for not responding soon enough to the Trump tariffs.
President Donald Trump imposed the 25 per cent tariffs Tuesday, followed by a swift response of counter-tariffs announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and counter-measures from other Premiers.
But Opposition Economy and Jobs Critic Aleana Young wanted to know why there wasn’t a similar response yet from Moe.
“Trump's tariffs were announced yesterday, but the warning signs have been here for months. Frankly speaking, we all knew Sunday night that these were coming. And yet the Sask Party has no plan,” Young said.
“Every other Premier in Canada has stepped up. But where's Scott Moe? How is it that every other Premier saw the tariff train rolling down the tracks, and yet our government is nowhere to be found? Who's in charge over there, and what are they focused on?”
Young once again blasted the Sask Party for not calling the Legislature back in session and for not speaking to reporters on the issue.
“Why are they refusing to open the legislature and get back to work? Instead of taking questions from reporters, instead of presenting a real plan for Saskatchewan, the Sask Party seemed to be caught completely flat-footed yesterday. Saskatchewan workers and businesses are scared right now. They deserve to know that their elected leaders are working around the clock in the People's Building, not just doing the bare minimum.”
The NDP also issued a news release Tuesday where they continued to push a message of the Moe government 小蓝视频 in action on the issue. Their news release stated that NDP Leader Carla Beck “has cleared her calendar to speak directly with producers, labour leaders, and industry representatives across the province.
“As Saskatchewan faces serious economic fallout, Beck is working the phone to ensure those most affected have a voice ahead of the Legislature’s return later this month,” the release stated. They also quoted Beck as saying “it’s incumbent on elected leaders to show that they care about what people are going through right now and are focused on the future. I’m picking up the phone and listening to the people who are going to be hit hardest.”
Young noted that it had taken three days for cabinet to meet on the issue, and that every other Premiers had come out with a plan.
“Even Danielle Smith in Alberta managed to step over the low bar that is saying she supports the federal government's measures so far. And where is Premier Moe? Where is the Sask Party government? They're nowhere to be found.”
Young pointed out that with the exception of Smith, “every other Premier has taken the bare minimum step of pulling U.S. liquor off the shelves. It's a very simple thing that governments can do. Maybe it's symbolic for jurisdictions like Ontario. It's a billion dollars symbolic. There's real actions.”
Young was also asked about Moe’s approach in the last few week to concentrate on lobbying efforts in Washington D.C. Young did not think that was moving the needle.
“Look, I don't doubt that he is doing his level best,” Young said. “That would be my hope, but all we've seen since those trips is the implementation of tariffs, (and) a deeply, deeply offensive scene in the White House with President Zelensky. If that's his plan, respectfully, it doesn't seem to be working.”
Unlike a number of other provinces, Premier Moe did not hold a media availability on Tuesday, instead releasing a statement on social media in which he was critical of the Trump tariffs. He also called for a measured response.
“Canada's response needs to be economically sound and reasoned. It should not result in the same kind of self-inflicted harm that Trump is imposing on his citizens,” Moe had stated.
"To that end, our government is carefully considering Saskatchewan's response. Cabinet will meet tomorrow to consider all options.”
The indication was that cabinet was meeting at the Legislature on Wednesday morning. It is expected Premier Moe will provide an update to reporters later this afternoon.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a virtual meeting with the provincial premiers on a Team Canada response to the tariff situation. They denounced the tariffs from the USA and according to the statement from the PMO, First Ministers "agreed to continue working together to defend Canada’s economy and sovereignty in the weeks and months ahead."
As Saskatchewan prepares a tariff response, there continue to be fast-changing developments on the international scene. There was an indication that the Trump administration was prepared to possibly meet Canada half-way on the tariffs. But there are reports that Canadian officials are demanding all the tariffs be removed before they remove their counter-tariffs. The situation remains fluid as of early Wednesday afternoon.
