Premier Scott Moe has drawn a line in the sand with a document that reference the stance. His Sask Party Government has released a discussion paper entitled "Drawing the Line: Defending Saskatchewan's Economic Autonomy" in an effort to galvanize the resolve to protect the province’s economy from what he perceives to be federal interference. Moe cautions that unchecked federal policies could cost the province as much as $111 billion by 2035.
In a release on October 11, the province outlined the document which considers policy options in light of the current federal government intrusions into Saskatchewan's exclusive areas of jurisdiction under the Constitution.
"The situation has been exacerbated in recent years by the current federal government's continued interference in the province's jurisdiction over natural resources under the guise of federal environmental regulation," Moe said. "It is time to defend and assert Saskatchewan's economic autonomy by 'drawing the line:' taking a number of steps including the introduction of provincial legislation to clarify and protect Saskatchewan's constitutional rights."
The release highlights a uling earlier this year striking down one of those federal policies, The Impact Assessment Act, Alberta Chief Justice Catherine Fraser wrote: "Through this legislative scheme, Parliament has taken a wrecking ball to the constitutional rights of the citizens of Alberta and Saskatchewan and other provinces to have their natural resources developed for the benefit."
"This cannot continue," Moe said. "We have so much potential in Saskatchewan to grow and prosper. A strong Saskatchewan means a strong Canada, but we cannot allow continued federal intrusion into our exclusive constitutional right to develop our natural resources and grow our economy. We will defend and protect Saskatchewan jobs and our economic future."
The list of potential steps the province could take, as outlined in its release, includes:
-
Provincial legislation to clarify and protect constitutional rights belonging to the province;
-
Pursue greater autonomy over immigration policy to ensure Saskatchewan has the people it needs;
-
Better recognize Saskatchewan industry contributions to sustainable growth - for example, develop a carbon credit market to support our natural resource industries;
-
Prepare to take legal actions, legislative or otherwise, to maintain control of electricity, fertilizer emission/use targets and oil and gas emissions/production; and
-
Explore greater autonomy in tax collection.
Moe said the government will further elaborate and outline next steps in the Speech from the Throne on October 26, 2022.