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Saskatchewan’s Official Opposition has announced plans to introduce new interprovincial trade legislation this fall, aiming to strengthen national unity, stimulate the provincial economy, and ease cost-of-living pressures.
The Saskatchewan New Democratic Party (NDP) says the proposed legislation will promote the freer movement of goods and services across provincial borders by adopting a policy of mutual recognition, a framework that allows provinces to accept each other’s rules and standards in regulated sectors.
The move comes in response to mounting economic challenges facing the province. Saskatchewan’s export-dependent economy has been hit hard by ongoing trade disputes with the United States and China. According to Statistics Canada, merchandise exports to China fell by more than 48% between July 2024 and July 2025. Year-to-date exports are also down nearly 29%.
“We are in a trade war on two fronts and it's long past time for us to come together as a country and make life more affordable,” said Kim Breckner, the NDP’s Shadow Minister for Trade and Economic Development, in a statement Thursday. “We should all be buying Canadian at a time like this. This is about keeping our dollars in our own country and supporting one another.”
Provinces such as Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Ontario, and Manitoba have already implemented some form of mutual recognition. The Saskatchewan NDP says their bill would align the province with those efforts, creating what they describe as a “pan-Canadian” approach to trade within the country.
Beyond economic concerns, affordability remains a major issue for Saskatchewan residents. A recent Angus Reid poll revealed that two-thirds of people in the province say they are struggling to keep up with the cost of living, with more than half reporting difficulty affording groceries — the highest rates in Canada.
“This legislation is critically needed,” said Breckner. “It will help respond to tariffs, get our economy moving again, and lower costs for hardworking families.”
The proposed legislation also comes with pointed criticism of the governing Saskatchewan Party. The NDP accused Premier Scott Moe’s government of abandoning “Pro-Canada” trade policies, citing the removal of restrictions on American liquor imports and a reduced focus on awarding public contracts to Canadian companies.
The Saskatchewan Legislature is scheduled to resume sitting this fall. The NDP has not yet released the full text of the proposed bill.