Earlier this week, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe signed four new interprovincial trade and infrastructure MOUs, marking an aggressive push to position the province at the centre of Canadian supply chains, energy exports, and economic coordination, even as the Sask Party distances itself from concerns about climate change.
The agreements — signed with Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta and the Arctic Gateway Group — touch on everything from pipeline corridors and critical minerals to alcohol sales, trucking regulations, and northern port access via Churchill.
“Saskatchewan is standing strong through the storm that is our current trade challenges,” Moe said, referencing both international volatility and domestic infrastructure bottlenecks.
Manitoba & PEI: labour, liquor, mutual recognition
Moe’s July 21 deals with Manitoba and Prince Edward Island include:
- Labour mobility reforms
- Mutual recognition of certifications and standards
- A shared push for direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, allowing Canadians to order beer, wine, and spirits directly from producers across provincial lines.
The Manitoba deal builds on existing ties through the New West Partnership Trade Agreement, while the PEI deal is part of a growing push to break down east-west trade barriers.
Churchill Corridor: possible new northern trade route
On July 22, Saskatchewan and Manitoba partnered with the Arctic Gateway Group to formalize support for a Northern Trade Corridor — a major infrastructure vision linking prairie goods to international markets via the Port of Churchill on Hudson Bay.
The plan aims to diversify exports, reduce carbon emissions by streamlining transportation, and create Indigenous-led economic opportunities along the Churchill rail line.
“The Port of Churchill is actively shipping, open for business, and ready to deliver for prairie producers,” said Arctic Gateway CEO Chris Avery.
Ontario and Alberta: Pipelines and Minerals
Moe’s most high-profile signing came alongside Premiers Doug Ford (Ontario) and Danielle Smith (Alberta), targeting critical infrastructure for oil, natural gas, and minerals.
The agreement pledges coordination on:
- Pipeline and rail corridor development
- Mineral processing and export
- Federal regulatory advocacy
All three premiers used the signing to signal defiance in the face of trade tensions with the U.S. — particularly those stemming from President Trump’s tariffs — and to promote a 'built by Canadians, for Canadians' approach to energy security.
"As the world grapples with President Trump's unfair tariffs, it is more important than ever to build a resilient and self-reliant economy here at home," Ford said.
"This agreement sends a clear message: Ontario, Alberta, and Saskatchewan are ready to get shovels in the ground and move forward on projects that will secure our long-term prosperity."
Political context
MOUs are not binding, so there are no immediate construction or legislative outcomes tied to these declarations. Nevertheless, they signal Saskatchewan’s attempts to place itself as a leader in cross-provincial economic planning.
The province has also reiterated its call for all jurisdictions to join the New West Partnership, described as “Canada’s largest barrier-free interprovincial market.”
And behind the economic language lies a clear political narrative that places Saskatchewan front and center as a particularly stable, resource-rich province that supports domestic development and interprovincial collaboration, even as international conditions become more volatile.