Saskatoon playing host to Liberals’ caucus retreat

SASKATOON Federal ministers responsible for small business and international trade will be in Saskatoon this weekend and members of Saskatoon’s business community aren’t missing an opportunity to have their voices heard.

On Thursday, the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce will be hosting Mary Ng, minister of small business and export promotion, and Jim Carr, minister of international trade diversification, for what’s being called a “fireside chat.”

Darla Lindbjerg, Chamber president and CEO, said the fact the Liberals are hosting the caucus retreat in Saskatoon sends a message to Saskatchewan residents.

“The fact they’re making this their stop for their caucus meetings in Saskatoon is very significant,” she said.

“It shows that they’re looking at Saskatoon and Saskatchewan as a place that they really want to get a grasp of ... so for us, we’re going to take advantage of that.”

Ng said she’s eager to speak with business owners from Saskatchewan. “My job, really, is to help small businesses start, grow, scale and then help them find access to new markets,” Ng said.

“That’s my mandate, and I’m really looking forward to working on it to the benefit of businesses here in Saskatchewan.”

Ng explained the Liberal government is on track to continue with plans to decrease Canada’s small business tax to nine per cent from 10.5 per cent by 2019. Ng she’s eager to hear from Saskatchewan constituents if they have concerns on small business or export policy.

Ng also participated in a “pints and politics” event at Congress Beer House on Monday night.

Since the Liberal government has only one MP in the province with Ralph Goodale in Reginawascana, Lindbjerg said the event is a chance to have a direct link to those calling the shots in Ottawa.

Lindbjerg said some of the issues they hope to examine include the state of North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations and what trade agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for the Trans-pacific Partnership will mean for Saskatchewan.

“The U.S. is our largest trading partner in Saskatchewan, as well as across Canada, and that’s influx,” she said.

“We want to identify alternatives and emerging markets and what the ministers see as being opportunity for Saskatchewan and for Canada.”

The fact they’re making this their stop for their caucus meetings in Saskatoon is very significant.