Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press

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. 

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says relations with the United States have been "a little more intense" as he continues to push against the threat of tariffs. 

"That may remain a little more intense for a period into the future, but we're committed to making the relationship work despite the current rhetoric," Moe told reporters Thursday in Washington, D.C., outside the White House. 

Canadian retailer Peavey Industries LP is warning customers of imitation scams as the company closes its stores beloved for farm goods.

Jest Sidloski, the vice-president of marketing for the Red Deer, Alta.-based company, said Wednesday fake Facebook accounts and websites have been created pretending to be Peavey Mart, selling non-existent goods at steep discounts to defraud customers and steal their information.

He said he thinks fraudsters are using the store closures as an opportunity to scam.

The Kenya Ice Lions have hit the big league, and the Canadian who helped make it happen says now may be the time to hang up his whistle.

Head coach Tim Colby says it's been impressive to watch the ice hockey team in Nairobi, Kenya, go from a few newbies to a large group that's received international recognition.

In October, the Ice Lions were accepted into the International Ice Hockey Federation, allowing them to pair up with larger teams in Africa and grow their training program.

Saskatchewan's new provincial police force has begun interviewing Mounties as it prepares to launch this year, a move critics say highlights concerns of job poaching.

Chief Marshal Robert Cameron of the Saskatchewan Marshals Service says the force has received interest from across the country for its positions, including officers from Saskatchewan.

A spokesperson with the marshals later confirmed it's been interviewing Saskatchewan Mounties for positions.

Saskatchewan's conflict of interest commissioner has found Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill breached rules when a window company with family ties did business with the government three years ago. 

The report released Monday from commissioner Maurice Herauf says in 2021, Cockrill was an employee of Fortress Window and Doors and therefore was in a conflict when the company received nearly $180,000 in government contracts that year.

The company is owned by Cockrill’s in-laws and had done work for a public housing authority in North Battleford, west of Saskatoon.