ARE WE SURE IT’S NOT A HOAX? IT SEEMS TOO FAR-FETCHED.

Saskatchewan? Are we sure it’s not a hoax? It seems too far-fetched.”

But Wednesday afternoon, Marit made plain that the licence plate ban is straight-up protectionism, explicitly designed to help local construction companies obtain a larger share of the Saskatchewan construction marketplace.

“This is an action we took to support Saskatchewan contractors,” Marit told reporters in Regina. “We are here to protect the business community of Saskatchewan and the contractors of the province of Saskatchewan.”

Alberta-based companies, Marit insisted, have an unfair advantage because Alberta has no provincial sales tax.

“Alberta companies aren’t paying six per cent on their vehicles. This is to level the playing field.”