Moe trumpets bright future for Sask. energy producers in the middle of a trade war with the U.S.
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CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Sask. premier, industry leaders, highlight nuclear energy among tariff concerns
As Hallee Mandryk tells us, Premier Moe answered questions alongside industry leaders about the importance of nuclear energy amid U.S. tariffs. The future of nuclear energy in the midst of a trade war proved to be a particularly timely discussion at the Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC) Tuesday morning. Lawmakers from four provinces and eleven states have gathered in Saskatoon for the annual event, and the 'Fueling North America's Energy Sector' panel featured industry leaders and lawmakers discussing the future of energy. '[There's] no better place to have that broader, longer-term discussion on our collective energy security. We will find our way through this trade tariff discussion. I'm concerned that it's going to get tougher before it gets better,' Premier Scott Moe told media following the panel. 'But we need to find our way through it so that we can get back to doing what we do best, and that's trade with products north and south of the 49th parallel.' Much of the panel was spent discussing how North America is shifting towards nuclear energy. Cameco CEO Tim Gitzel was also on the panel, and shared how while the tariffs are a barrier, they are not a roadblock. 'We know we need electricity whether there's tariffs or not. The world and North America needs a lot more electricity, and so we continue to work on that. And, we're getting great cooperation between Canada and the U.S. on nuclear electricity, and so we'll continue,' Gitzel said. While Canada/U.S. relations have been strained since President Donald Trump imposed tariffs, the conference provided an opportunity for officials on both sides of the border to discuss the relationship between the two countries. 'For many of us, it's been embarrassing ... kind of horrific knowing that for years I've spent my whole life 60 years we have seen Canada as a very close ally,' Ann Johnson Stewart, a state senator from Minnesota said. 'Many of my friends are from Canada. We go to Canada. You know, I live in Minnesota, so I really appreciated what [the] premier said about we just need to push forward.' The state senator highlighted that this conference is an opportunity to build cross border relationships away from the shadow of the White House. 'We need to get back to ignoring the politics and ridiculous things coming out of Washington and work forward towards more collaboration, especially around energy. Johnson Stewart added. Both industry leaders and politicians agreed that the demand for energy is as important as ever, thanks to the rise of new technology such as artificial intelligence – which requires an immense amount of electricity. 'You need baseload 24/7 reliable power – and that's got to be hydro or nuclear or gas and so we're going to need all of the above,' Gitzel said. The discussion highlighted a desire for nuclear energy not only in Saskatchewan – but also for North America to become the main producer of nuclear technology and fuel for other nations. 'This is what makes free and free and fair trade between Canada and the U.S. such an advantage for us when it comes to determining our own future with energy security or general security,' Moe noted. '[But it] also provides us with the opportunity then to cost effectively export this type of technology to places like Western Europe where they're trying to move away from Russian reactors.'
CBC
3 days ago
- CBC
Moe trumpets bright future for Sask. energy producers in the middle of a trade war with the U.S.
Premier Scott Moe and the CEO's of Saskatchewan uranium and power companies spoke glowingly about a positive future for the energy industry at the Midwest Legislative Conference in Saskatoon.
CTV News
5 days ago
- CTV News
Saskatoon hosts Midwest Legislative Conference
The annual Midwest Legislative Conference has officially kicked off, with Saskatoon serving as host this year. 'The whole goal is to listen to each other, have conversations, and develop relationships. We have so much in common with each other that learning from each other is the goal here,' Lori Carr, chair of the Midwest Legislative Conference, said. Representatives from 11 states and four provinces will spend the next three days sharing experiences and ideas with one another. One of the scheduled discussion panels will focus on Canadian-U.S. trade relationships. Carr says this will be a particularly important topic throughout the week, as tariffs continue to complicate trade between the two countries. 'Continuing to get to know the people that are down in those U.S. states, them getting to know us, finding our common huge trading partners with the U.S. And for Saskatchewan, these 11 states are our biggest trading partners for us,' Carr said. This year's chairman's initiative is called 'North American Energy Security: Powering the Future,' and will focus on the future of energy and the accompanying resources that will help secure that energy. 'It's all about having that all-of-the-above approach for energy security and learning what's happening throughout the world... and ensuring that we have that reliable, affordable baseload power that we can use to power our province and continue moving forward,' Carr said. After the event wraps up on Wednesday afternoon, Carr is hopeful that those in attendance will have built the necessary relationships to provide new opportunities for the people they represent. 'I want them to leave here and know that they've made the contacts that they need to make so that down the road, if they have questions, if they think, 'oh gee, this could be a great opportunity,' they know who they should be calling in whichever state that is applicable to,' Carr said.
