Alberta promises lawsuit, other ‘consequences’ on Sask. licence plate ban

The licence plate fight between Alberta and Saskatchewan threatened Thursday to escalate into a much bigger trade conflict.

Alberta’s economic development minister hinted that the province will invoke retaliatory measures on Saskatchewan’s plate ban, and Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall vowed that he’s ready to go toe to toe.

“We won’t be backing off on it,” Wall said in Regina. “We think it doesn’t necessarily violate trade agreements.”

He said Alberta has to look in the mirror on free trade, noting that it recently changed rules on craft beer taxes to help its own industry and has lobbied against open borders on procurement.

“If you’re going to live by the protectionist sword, you’re also going to have to face other provinces that will stand up and defend the interests of their econ- omy and their sectors,” said Wall.

On Wednesday, Saskatchewan announced it was banning Alberta licence plates on trucks belonging to anyone working on future government road and infrastructure projects.

Saskatchewan Infrastructure Minister David Marit initially said the reason for the ban was because Alberta had similar rules for Saskatchewan workers.

Marit later added that it was also because Alberta doesn’t have a provincial sales tax, and making Alberta workers buy Saskatchewan plates puts workers in both provinces on a level playing field.

He said his advisers told him the ban “could be” a violation of the free trade New West Partnership, but he proceeded anyway, saying “I felt very strongly in protecting Saskatchewan companies.”

Marit said Alberta workers still will be allowed to bid on Saskatchewan projects, so long as they get Saskatchewan plates.