Latest news with #SaskatchewanChamberofCommerce
CBC
11-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Business leaders say they have a blueprint for economic success. They want federal candidates to listen
Social Sharing With the yo-yoing threat of U.S. tariffs dominating business headlines, a business conference in Saskatchewan — the landlocked province historically known as the breadbasket of the world and also boasting oil, uranium and potash resources — featured a strong undercurrent of dissatisfaction with hurdles to getting products to market. "Saskatchewan has what the world needs," was a commonly expressed sentiment at the Global Food, Fuel and Farm Summit held in Regina this past week, an event hosted by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce. CBC attended as part of its national effort to ask Canadians what matters most to them in the federal election. "I think we have a tremendous opportunity for us as Canadians," said Prabha Ramaswamy, CEO for the chamber, pointing to a rise of patriotism in recent weeks. "I think it's been a defining moment for us, where as Canadians we're asking ourselves what our values are, and I think we have to build on the momentum, come together as Canadians and look at how we can strengthen our domestic economy." What issue matters the most to you this federal election, and why? Share your personal stories with us at ask@ Prairie innovation was highlighted at the conference, with attendees pointing to Saskatchewan-based work like incorporating artificial intelligence into engineering projects or turning biomass-derived carbon into lithium batteries. However, those at the conference said they see the same barriers to doing business continually crop up, making them top of mind as industries consider what matters most in the next federal election. Karen Churchill is the president and CEO of Ag-West Bio, a not-for-profit that invests in ag start-ups, and said she is most concerned with regulatory barriers such as requirements for projects to have greenhouse gas assessments and mitigation, costs borne by industry. The other big weight on her mind was whether Canada is ready to make big investments in infrastructure. "We need to get our products to market. We need to actually invest in all the institutions, whether they be research institutions or basic roads, railways … [and] pipelines." She's concerned there's a divide between western provinces and decision-makers in Ottawa. "Here in the west, I think we just don't feel heard in the east," she said. "When you talk about pipelines, that's a huge disconnect also with the barriers to innovation where you see policies developed in the east not being very friendly to the west." Ramaswamy said the Canadian Chamber of Commerce has issued four calls of action to strengthen Canada's economy, including one about the long discussed but yet-to-be-realized east-west energy corridor. The three other calls are to tear down internal trade barriers, boost domestic procurement and renegotiate free trade agreements with the U.S. and Mexico. Politicians have long talked about west-to-east transportation and infrastructure, said Grant McLellan, a senior strategy advisor with Prairie Sky Strategy, but there's a gap between some of that talk and tangible action. "The biggest pressure that we always hear is we need port expansion, we need rail line growth and construction of new rail lines. We need pipeline expansion to make sure that we have access across the country to resources that are developed right here in Canada," he said, adding that there can be opposition in provinces like Quebec that stall projects like pipelines. Like Churchill, McLellan wants to see a streamlining of regulatory approvals to ensure business and industry projects can move forward. "We really need a federal government that is prepared to make tough decisions that aren't necessarily going to be political, politically appeasing to certain parts of the country, but are good for nation building and are good for Canada's future and good for Canada removing itself from the reliance on markets like the United States." While there might be a perception that oil and gas or other energy partners are opposed to environmental regulation, Ran Narayanasamy, president and CEO of the Petroleum Technology Research Centre, said that's not the case. "Nobody's saying, 'Hey, I'm going to produce a product. We don't care about the environment,'" he said. The problem is that federal environmental regulations are formed without consultation with industry partners, Narayanasamy said. "We don't want the policies to curtail the development of the energy industry in Western Canada, especially in Saskatchewan." Narayanasamy said he wants to hear federal leaders express pride in what Canada has to offer, whether that's oil, potash or canola.
CBC
09-04-2025
- Business
- CBC
Sask. premier, Opposition leader say province's tariff troubles need more election attention
In a rare instance of political solidarity, the Saskatchewan government and provincial Opposition agreed on something Tuesday — that the federal election campaign has not had enough focus on the country's bread basket and its trade relationships. Premier Scott Moe and Opposition Leader Carla Beck spoke with reporters separately at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce's 2025 Food, Fuel, Fertilizer Global Summit in Regina. In a news release about the summit, Moe called the province "vital" to food and energy security around the world. "There should be more discussion with respect not only to the economic contributions that the Prairie provinces make to the entirety of Canada, but more discussion on how we're going to expand the industries that are creating wealth here," Moe told reporters at the summit. Moe also said he is hoping that, even during the federal election campaign, Ottawa is in talks with the Chinese government to address recent tariffs on some crops, canola oil and pork from Canada. "This is the most urgent tariff threat that we have in the province of Saskatchewan, notwithstanding the concerns that the world is seeing with the changes that Donald Trump is making," he said. Moe also said expanding trade connections abroad should be an ongoing priority for whichever government takes office. Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck agreed that the federal government should keep Saskatchewan in mind. "I think it's incumbent on all of those leaders — political leaders, leaders in the business community — to impress on all of those who are running to be the prime minister that these [tariffs] are incredibly impactful, certainly here on the Prairies," Beck said. Like Moe, Beck said trade relationships should expand to broader worldwide markets and that federal leaders could pay more attention to Saskatchewan on the campaign trail. "It is disappointing that we haven't seen more attention placed on this province," Beck said. WATCH | Sask. leaders say province not discussed enough on federal campaign trail: Sask. leaders say province not discussed enough on federal campaign trail 16 minutes ago Duration 1:36 Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Opposition Leader Carla Beck both said Tuesday that the province's resources deserve more attention in the federal election campaign. CBC contacted all federal parties to respond to Saskatchewan's leaders's concerns. In an emailed statement Tuesday afternoon, an NDP spokesperson said, in part, "New Democrats believe trade should deliver real benefits for Prairie communities, not just big corporations."
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Premier Scott Moe says Chinese canola tax 'most urgent' tariff facing Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says whoever emerges prime minister after the federal election must prioritize the removal of Chinese tariffs imposed on Canadian canola. The 100-per-cent import tariff on canola oil and meal 'is likely the most urgent and most significant tariff impacting the Saskatchewan economy today,' Moe said in a speech at the Food, Fuel, Fertilizer Global Summit in Regina on Tuesday. The summit is hosted by the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce and focuses on the provinces' role in global markets, with a specific eye to agriculture, mining and energy. China implemented retaliatory tariffs in March after Canada imposed 100-per-cent import levies on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) and a 25-per-cent levy on aluminum and steel, the same imposed by the U.S in September of last year. Two of Canada's three largest trade partners — the U.S. and China — have imposed tariffs that impact Saskatchewan exports. Canada's third largest trade partner is India. When it comes to addressing Chinese tariffs, Moe said he's asked Prime Minister Mark Carney to reach out to Chinese President Xi Jinping and for Canada to scrap the tariffs on Chinese EVs. 'We've been in contact with the Canadian ambassador to China, the Chinese ambassador to Canada and we have formally now contacted and written letters to a number of sub-national leaders in China,' said Moe following his speech. Moe said that to his knowledge, Carney has not called the Chinese president, but that he continues to encourage the prime minister to do so. In the meantime, Moe says he doesn't have a plan for a trade mission to China, but he would 'never rule it out,' considering it is a 'significant export market.' NDP Leader Carla Beck spoke to the media after Moe, pointing out that the threats from China were broadcast in 2024 and that she felt more could have been done in the interim to soften or ease back the tariffs. 'This is something that had been threatened since August,' said Beck on Tuesday morning. 'I think that's something that should have had more attention by now.' While Moe highlighted the tariffs coming from China, U.S. trade policy remains unpredictable and volatile. Moe said while the tone of the conversation regarding trade with the U.S. has changed, he feels it will return to the way it once was. 'When the dust settles… they're still going to be our largest trading partner and they're still going to be our largest source of imports,' he said. Beck wants to see trade relations get back to what they once where, but feels things have changed. 'There isn't anyone who doesn't hope that we return to some somewhat more normal relationships with the United States,' she said. 'But we can't be complacent.' Saskatchewan premier addresses Western alienation but says no to separation Saskatchewan government says cutting ties with U.S. companies presents 'challenges' alsalloum@ The Regina Leader-Post has created an Afternoon Headlines newsletter that can be delivered daily to your inbox so you are up to date with the most vital news of the day. Click here to subscribe. With some online platforms blocking access to the journalism upon which you depend, our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Click here to subscribe.
