Saskatchewan NDP Leader and Agriculture & Rural Affairs Shadow Minister Carla Beck is speaking out against the proposed 25 per cent tariffs, warning they could devastate jobs and drive up the cost of living.
“These tariffs will ruin livelihoods, kill jobs, and raise costs for people already struggling to make ends meet on both sides of the border,” Beck said in a statement.
With the federal government mired in political turmoil, Beck called for leaders at all levels to take action.
“With Ottawa in chaos, leaders at all levels need to step up and make this case to our counterparts down south. This isn't a time for politics,” she said.
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Beck made the comments while attending the annual Western Crop Production Show, where she took the opportunity to meet with producers and hear about the challenges posed by the potential tariffs.
She underscored the need for Saskatchewan's agricultural sector to have a strong voice in negotiations.
“Our world-class agricultural sector must be heard in these discussions,” Beck stressed.
In 2023, Saskatchewan exported $27 billion worth of goods to the United States, and Beck warned the tariffs would severely hurt the agriculture industry and communities on both sides of the border.
“The food on your table, the fuel in your vehicle, and the fertilizer that helps crops grow—it’s all from Saskatchewan,” Beck said. “We have what the United States needs. A trade war is not in anybody’s interest.”