Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is set to face questions about affordability, hospitals and damaging canola tariffs when the legislature resumes Wednesday.
The Opposition NDP says the topics will be part of its grilling of Moe’s 18-year-old Saskatchewan Party government, following a throne speech outlining the premier’s agenda for the year.
NDP house leader Nicole Sarauer said Moe is failing to fight for farmers stiffed by China’s tariffs on canola products. Beijing imposed the levies in response to Ottawa slapping Chinese electric vehicles with a 100 per cent tariff.
“We’ve seen the premier really flip-flop on whether or not (Canada’s) EV tariff should be removed. That’s a huge problem for Saskatchewan and it’s a huge problem for the premier,” she told reporters Tuesday.
Moe had said Canada should remove the EV tariff, as long as it can have a positive relationship with the United States. He later said it’s not easy for Ottawa to get rid of the levy.
Statistics Canada data shows Saskatchewan’s exports to China plummeted in August, when the tariff on canola seed came into effect.
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There are other issues facing the province.
Sarauer said residents continue to struggle financially. To address that, her party plans to introduce rent control legislation.
Hospitals in cities are overwhelmed and those in rural areas have been closed, she added. The NDP is to also introduce a bill that would require hospitals to publicly disclose emergency room closures.
“These are all reasonable measures … but it will be up to the government to decide whether or not they are going to be passed,” Sarauer said. “We hope they will be passed, because they’re reflective of what we’re hearing from residents.”
Sarauer said crime is also out of control and the government hasn’t prioritized being tough on the causes.
She said Moe needs to create an anti-gang strategy. Too many kids are choosing to get involved in organized crime because there are no other life alternatives, she said.
“(When) you’re not addressing those sorts of things … then you’ll see what we’re seeing right now,” she said.
Saskatchewan’s crime severity rate has ranked among the highest in Canada for the past few years.
Moe’s government didn’t immediately comment on the NDP’s attack but has said it’s hiring more police officers and giving them more powers to seize street weapons.
The government has also legislated stiffer penalties for those found guilty of dealing drugs and is working to open more treatment beds for those with addictions.
Moe has said the throne speech will touch on community safety issues and the province’s economic future.
On health, the province has touted shorter wait times while hiring more hospital staff.
Moe has also argued Saskatchewan remains one of the most affordable provinces to live in.
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