Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press

Saskatchewan's Opposition NDP is planning to introduce legislation that aims to amend referendum and plebiscite rules, a move it says will hold Premier Scott Moe's feet to the fire on talk of separation. 

NDP Leader Carla Beck's private member's bill contains the words "Keep Saskatchewan in Canada" in its title. 

The Opposition was unable to provide details on the legislation as it has not been put before the legislative assembly. 

A notice of motion from the legislature says Beck plans to introduce the bill tomorrow. 

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he’s a true Canadian but wouldn’t stop a public vote on separating from the country if it came forward.

Moe says residents are allowed to trigger provincial legislation for a plebiscite on the issue.

He says he does not judge people for having different opinions, but says he supports a united Canada.

Saskatchewan law allows the public to bring forward a petition for a plebiscite as long as 15 per cent of eligible voters sign on.

Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck says Moe should rule out a vote on separation.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says the province is reducing the industrial carbon levy to zero. 

He says the move makes Saskatchewan the first "fully carbon tax free" province, saving ratepayers money on their electricity bills. 

Moe says the measure will also make businesses more competitive amid tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. 

He adds he hopes the next federal government does not impose a backstop to collect levies from Saskatchewan.

A move by Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe to pause the industrial carbon levy appears to have blown a hole in the province's finances. 

Saskatchewan is forecasting a surplus of $12 million this year, with $431 million in revenue from those levies. 

The Opposition NDP says without those dollars, the province would find itself in a deficit. 

"This government continues to pretend that they have somehow delivered a balanced budget or a budget with a surplus," NDP Leader Carla Beck told reporters Thursday.

The head of Saskatoon's only safe consumption site says she saw the current drug crisis coming.

Kayla DeMong, executive director of Prairie Harm Reduction, says that since January, staff at the facility have spent their days responding to drug overdoses, reviving four to six people at any given time.

She said a more toxic supply of drugs entered the city earlier this year and she flagged to public officials that something needed to be done.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says the plan by the United States to restore Russia's access to sell fertilizer in the world market is "extremely disturbing."

Moe told the legislative assembly no country should be normalizing its trade relations with Russia until the country ends its unlawful invasion of Ukraine.

The development of the U.S. helping Russia expand its markets came in a news release following talks between American and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia.

Saskatchewan’s government says it will ride a strong economy to a projected razor-thin surplus in next year’s budget, but turbulent headwinds of tariffs could ultimately blow a billion-dollar hole in the spending plan.

Finance Minister Jim Reiter tabled the 2025-26 budget on Wednesday. It projects a $12-million surplus this fiscal year and even larger surpluses in the years that follow.

However, it doesn't put aside money to offset potential massive losses, as Canada fights an ongoing trade war with the United States and faces one with China starting this week.

Saskatchewan is set to table its budget today outlining the province's plans to boost spending on health care, education and crime reduction. 

Premier Scott Moe has said increased investment in those areas is meant to reduce surgical wait times, improve Grade 3 reading levels and make communities safer. 

Moe has also pledged to freeze the education property tax while providing more money to municipalities. 

This is the Saskatchewan Party government's first budget since Moe was re-elected premier last fall.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says the province is working on a plan that would help keep steelworkers employed in response to U.S. tariffs.

Moe didn't offer details on the plan Wednesday but told reporters the province would use the "strength of Saskatchewan's economy" to provide support.

"You will see what that may or may not mean in the days ahead," Moe said in Saskatoon. 

Prairie farmers say planned Chinese retaliatory tariffs on Canadian agricultural products are causing loads of uncertainty, while threats of U.S. levies and industry issues have created further problems. 

Bill Prybylski, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, says China's 100 per cent tariffs on canola oil, meal and peas scheduled for next week are already being felt, as markets have taken a hit.