The tariff situation, between the US putting reciprocal tariffs across many nations, and China placing tariffs on Canadian agricultural products, has had a big impact, and here in Saskatchewan, work is underway to make sure we're not affected too badly. Estevan-Big Muddy MLA, Lori Carr, is one of the people looking to see how Saskatchewan can respond to those.
During the lead-up to the initial tariffs placed on Canada by the US, Saskatchewan went south to make their case to their American partners to keep trade free. Since Canada wasn't named in the reciprocal tariffs, Carr says that's a sign of success for cooperation.
"I think it really goes to show that having relationships with our counterparts in the United States is super important. We all know a governor or a representative, you know, whether that be from North Dakota or Montana, and we've all had the opportunity to reach out to them and voice our concerns on what it would mean for both sides of the border."
"Talking to those individuals face-to-face, just showing how tied our markets are, and I think it made a big difference."
With so much of international trade currently being figured out, Carr says it's a boon that the province invested in international trade offices to get that started.
"Specifically, when we look at the tariffs being put on our canola products, we are building other markets for some of that. As well as the engagement that we have with our federal government and the harms that maybe the tariffs that they're putting on China through the EVs that are hurting us because of that."
With that canola tariff being a big threat to the agriculture sector, Carr wants to make it clear to the federal government how it can affect us.
"I do know that the Premier has had conversations with the current Prime Minister at this point in time and has made it quite clear what those tariffs are doing for Western Canada and really for food security that people depend on. Maybe this is a time to look at reducing reciprocal tariffs as opposed to imposing them."
Oil prices have also taken a hit recently, dropping down to around $60 a barrel, down almost $10 from when the province announced their budget in March.
Though it's possible that reduced oil revenues could bring about a deficit for Saskatchewan, Carr is confident that it shouldn't affect them too greatly.
"We're always worried about the commodities that we depend on in our budget, whether that be oil, uranium, potash, they all have volatility at times, and when we do our budgets, we do consider that the markets will have up days, the markets will have down days."
Carr says that while the situation remains volatile and predictions remain difficult, the province will be staying the course for now to watch what happens.