Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza attended the 79th annual Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC) held July 27–30 in Saskatoon, where legislators from 15 North American jurisdictions gathered to discuss trade, infrastructure, energy, and more.
Bereza notes that agriculture and trade tariffs were among the key topics at the conference, which brings together lawmakers from Canadian provinces and U.S. states to collaborate on regional issues.
“I think we’re very important and to see people from the US from North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, all over the place that don’t want to see any of these tariffs be put into place. A lot of those states are very agriculture related like our province is and they import things like potash from us. They bring in canola oil from us. It’s going to affect them very negatively.”
Addressing carbon emissions and sustainability
The conference also focused on North American energy security and the push toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050; a topic Bereza discussed firsthand.
“Farmers get a bad rap sometimes because they’re very much into regenerative agriculture, sustainable agriculture and things like that. The consumer doesn’t understand that there is cost and it’s a big cost to get to net zero currently right now.”
Learning from leaders and industry tours
The conference included high-profile speakers such as former Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra.
Discussing Harper’s keynote message, Bereza highlights the importance of diversifying markets.
“We can’t be so reliant on the United States and we have to look for other markets. I think that’s a critical thing,“ he commented. "It just reiterates that we are trying to push this government to do the right thing and be out there looking for more market opportunities.”
Building connections across Canada
Bereza emphasizes the value of cross-provincial relationships formed at the conference.
“The more synergies and the more relationships that you can establish from other parts of the country, I believe are a huge help and that’s what these conferences do.”
He notes the strong Manitoba PC representation, saying, “Our PC team was one of the largest teams at the whole conference.”
The conference, hosted by Saskatchewan with support from local ministers and featuring expert panels and site tours, underscores the ongoing importance of regional cooperation on trade, energy, and community well-being for Manitoba and its neighbours.
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