As news of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s planned resignation ripples throughout the country, those in Saskatchewan are voicing their opinion.
On Monday, Trudeau addressed the nation, stating he plans to step down as Canada’s prime minister and leader of the Liberal party.
Trudeau says he will stay on until a replacement is chosen, while also asking the Governor General to prorogue the Parliament until March 24.
Shortly after Trudeau’s comments, Saskatchewan NDP leader Carla Beck issued a statement.
“It’s clear the chaos in Ottawa will not end for some time,” Beck said. “I share the deep frustration of Saskatchewan residents and Canadians that internal politics has taken centre stage over the need for a coordinated and united response to the great challenges facing our province and nation.”
Beck went on to say Saskatchewan’s economy, industries and families’ livelihoods “hang in the balance,” as incoming U.S. president Donald Trump threatens a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian exports to the U.S.
“I wrote to Premier Scott Moe offering the full support of our Saskatchewan NDP Caucus to help protect Saskatchewan’s economy and our future. That offer stands — we must put aside partisan interests and focus on our province.
“In the meantime, I will continue to meet with workers and industry to discuss how we can support our interests. Our team will not be distracted by the political games being played in Ottawa — by any party. There is too much at stake.
“It’s time for us to unite as Canadians.”
Premier Moe, however, has not publicly reacted to the news. Global News has reached out to the government for response.
On Dec. 12, Moe officially called for a federal election.
“Maybe it’s time for Canadians to have a say and a choice and to determine who they would like to have a four-year mandate to negotiate with the incoming Trump administration,” Moe said during an interview with Global News.
Political Analyst Ken Coates said he is surprised it took Trudeau this long to make the decision.
“This country has been holding its breath for more than a year now,” he said. “It was clear that Mr. Trudeau had gone past his best before date and his own party was turning on him like crazy. The public had turned on him like crazy. And it’s kind of sad and tragic that he took so long. He could have been out a year ago on a high note.”
As for what it means for Saskatchewan, Coates said Trudeau’s resignation likely won’t instill much confidence in the Liberal party in the province.
“The Liberals are a whole Cabinet and they’re a whole government,” Coates said. “They’ve been in office for nine years. They’ve done a number of things that people in Saskatchewan are strongly opposed to.
“I don’t see anybody rushing to get into the leadership of the Liberal Party. I think the really good candidates are going to sit this one out. They’re going to be thinking about coming on after the next election and the next four years. They would be taking a real risk to tie themselves to this particular horse (right now).”
All of the Saskatchewan members of parliament sit on the conservative side of the house and say the news doesn’t change anything.
“I think the only difference is that instead of having Justin Trudeau raising the carbon tax and running up the deficit we’ll have some other Liberal leader raising the carbon tax and running up the deficit so not much has really changed,” Regina-Wascana MP Michael Kram said.