小蓝视频

SASKATOON - The opposition New Democrats are demanding an emergency sitting of the Standing Committee on the Economy.

NDP 小蓝视频s Tajinder Grewal, Sally Housser, Kim Breckner made the call at an announcement on Tuesday afternoon at Vicki Mowat’s constituency office in Saskatoon Fairview. 

Grewal, who is deputy chair of the Standing Committee for the NDP, wrote a letter to the Committee’s chair James Thorsteinson urging its recall. 

In particular, Grewal’s correspondence pointed to concerns over the Bunge-Viterra merger as well as the pause on two Federated Co-operatives Ltd. projects on renewal diesel and the canola crushing joint venture.

“The federal government’s decision to allow the disastrous Bunge – Viterra merger to proceed and the decision by FCL and AGT Foods to postpone their investment in a renewable diesel and canola crush project in the Regina area will have a severe negative impact on our province’s economy for years to come,” Grewal wrote.

“As I hope you are aware, the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, Grain Growers of Canada and other representatives have spoken out firmly against the Viterra-Bunge merger, which a University of Saskatchewan study estimates will cost producers $770 million annually.

“The FCL project was supposed to bring 2,500 construction jobs, 300 permanent jobs and $4.5 billion in economic benefits to Saskatchewan.

“It is deeply concerning that the Premier and his Minister of Agriculture have been completely missing in action during these developments.”

Housser told reporters Tuesday they want the Standing Committee on the Economy "immediately recalled."

“We've still got two months at least. We're not quite sure yet when the Saskatchewan government will recall the Legislature. But people want and need answers now. We're at a very critical juncture for our province's economy and it's time to get to serious work at the table. “

In a brief statement, the government says the “Chair of the Standing Committee on the Economy has received the letter and will be reviewing it.”

In speaking about their call for an emergency committee sitting, Breckner, who is NDP critic for Trade and Export Development, pointed to the election campaign where the “Sask party was promising us a strong economy and bright future.”

“And now we're staring at billions in economic losses, potential loss, well, certainly some lost jobs, lost construction jobs. So I think we need to convene that committee and get some questions answered and look at what we can do to bolster the Saskatchewan economy after these losses.”

As for what specific questions needed to be answered, Breckner pointed to the lobbying that happened with the Viterra merger. The NDP has been especially targeting the activities of former MP Monte Solberg in lobbying for Bunge. 

“We know that one of the lobbyists was a Sask Party donor, had connections to the Sask Party. I'd like to know the conversations that were had, when, and the topic of those conversations. And also, what is their plan going forward to improve Saskatchewan's economy? How can we get, you know, the canola crushing plant is paused. How can we get that back in action? You know, part of our platform was the PST cut on value-added construction. And we see one of the reasons for that pause was construction costs.”

Housser, the NDP critic for Energy and Resource Development, added this was “about respect for the people of Saskatchewan.”

“There's a lot of anxiety out there right now, and they're looking for leadership, and I don't think people feel that that's what they're getting at the moment.”

The NDP 小蓝视频s were also asked about the position Premier Scott Moe has taken on the tariffs threat from President Donald Trump, and whether they would like to see him take a more vocal role. 

“Well, yeah, it's hard to be critical when we're not hearing a whole lot,” said Housser.

“But listen, actually, we're really for the Team Saskatchewan approach. Carla Beck has written to Scott Moe a few times now saying ‘hey, listen, we're here for the people of Saskatchewan.’ But in order to do that, we need to know that there's a plan. And that's what we don't really know at the moment.”

Housser also blasted the Trump plans for a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods, which Trump told reporters on Monday would take effect Feb. 1.

“Well, we've been, I mean, a 25 per cent tariff is going to be devastating across the board for the people of Saskatchewan and for people on both sides of the border,” said Housser.

“We've been incredibly clear right since the get-go… that a race to the bottom in a trade war with the United States, frankly, (is) all going to end in tears. Particularly when we're looking at oil and gas, potash, critical minerals. Saskatchewan has a great, diversified economy, but the effects on our major industries is going to be devastating.”