Throne speech promises to put `Saskatchewan First '
Premier hints he might not obey federal environmental policies
The Saskatchewan Party is vying to put the province first this legislative session in an attempt to assert control over its natural resources, the government outlined Wednesday.
Saskatchewan's throne speech, delivered by Lt.- Gov. Russ Mirasty on Wednesday, states the province will introduce the Saskatchewan First Act and amend the provincial constitution to “define and defend” the province's jurisdiction.
In a news conference ahead of the speech, Premier Scott Moe wasn't able to further clarify what the legislation will do, given it hasn't been introduced, but hinted the government might not follow some environmental policies, like emissions caps.
“We'll get into the details of whether we follow it or not, but I'm sure that there will be clarity around who precisely has jurisdiction,” Moe told reporters. “We don't feel the federal government actually has jurisdiction to enact a cap.”
Moe's pledge for a Saskatchewan First Act comes after he released a white paper earlier this fall that attempts to “draw a line” with Ottawa over the control of natural resources.
He has said federal environmental policies, including emissions caps, are financially harming the province and its ability to increase production.
Ottawa has not yet imposed a cap, but is consulting with stakeholders about it.
Moe said any changes will follow federal law, including Supreme Court of Canada rulings.
“I would say it's unfortunate that a province feels the need to reassert what the Constitution already says,” Moe said. “But as I said, there's going to be details in the actual legislation.”
Moe's pledge comes as squabbling continues over how much authority the federal environmental policies have over the development of natural resources.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has maintained Ottawa has jurisdiction over the environment, noting the Supreme Court of Canada ruled in favour of a national carbon tax because climate change requires a national approach.
The jury, however, is still out on Bill C-69, which allows Ottawa to consider how major infrastructure projects affect climate change. Alberta's top court has called it unconstitutional, though the Supreme Court has yet to settle the affair.
Despite losing the carbon tax court case, Moe said that decision doesn't set a precedent for other environmental policies.
He has called Bill C-69 a “constitutional overreach.”
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck said in a news release on Wednesday that Moe's autonomy plans are distraction and hinder the province's ability to attract investment.
“Saskatchewan has limitless potential and a great story to share,” Beck stated.
“That's the Saskatchewan story we'll be selling to the world as Scott Moe's out-of-touch government plays political games.”
As part of the government's autonomy agenda, Moe announced he wants Saskatchewan to collect corporate income taxes.
He said the province would need to hire additional staff but expects the program would be revenue neutral.
Businesses in Saskatchewan would have to fill out a separate form, Moe said, noting Alberta and Quebec both collect their own corporate taxes.
“Again, this is about us taking control of our own where we can,” he said.
Additionally, the province is also looking to seek greater control over immigration, which would allow the government to bring in more newcomers to “meet economic needs” and address gaps in the labour market.
Along with addressing economic autonomy, the government is again looking to beef up policing and public safety by introducing a new team of marshals.
The staff, which will be hired by the provincial government, will work with RCMP and municipal policing forces to arrest a person should RCMP not be able to.
Moe said while the new staff will grow Saskatchewan's provincial policing team, there are no plans to replace the RCMP.
“It's about augmenting and enhancing their work because we feel that we need to have a higher degree of providing public safety in our community so that our families can, you know, go out after supper and go for a walk without the fear of running into something that might not be too good,” he said.
The throne speech also touched on some of the work the government is already doing to address health-care constraints and affordability challenges.
This includes its $60-million plan to hire 1,000 more healthcare workers, the $500 cheques its sending out next month and paying down some of the province's debt, which saves the government millions in interest payments.
Beck described these plans as “recycled announcements,” arguing the government isn't measuring up to meet the various challenges people are facing.
When asked why no other affordability measures were announced, including tax cuts, Moe said he was open to that idea should investment into the province rise and resource revenue remain high.
He said he doesn't want budgets to be heavily reliant on resource revenues.
“I've always said we don't want to hire and fire nurses and doctors and teachers on the price of a tonne of potash or a barrel of oil. And so we're very careful,” he said.