Sask. government rejects Opposition's demand to recall legislature

Sask. government rejects Opposition's demand to recall legislature

NDP say recall is necessary to deal with ongoing Canada-U.S. trade dispute

The Saskatchewan government has rejected the provincial Opposition's demand for the legislature to be recalled to address the affects of Canada's ongoing trade dispute with the United States.

NDP House Leader Nicole Sarauer issued the challenge to the government on Monday, saying that the legislature needs to get back to work.

"We need to pass legislation that will make life more affordable for Saskatchewan people, and we need to debate further measures to support Saskatchewan workers and businesses being impacted by Donald Trump's escalating trade war," she said.

Some Sask. industries hit hard by newest tariffs

Sarauer highlighted that other provinces have announced or are planning to announce training and grant programs. She also pointed to the federal government's $7.5 billion to assist workers and businesses.

The provincial legislature is scheduled to resume sitting on Oct. 27, which is 57 days away as of Monday.

"These are the kinds of measures that we believe are worth considering right here in Saskatchewan and that discussion should be happening now. Not weeks from now," Sarauer said.

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The NDP's call was swiftly rejected by government whip Brad Crasweller, who opened a news conference by taking aim at the Opposition.

Crassweller criticized NDP Leader Carla Beck for her absence from the legislature in the fall and how the Opposition party called for the government to shut down its trade offices in foreign countries.

"They've really offered no serious solutions, no useful contribution, nothing beyond political stunts and maybe some petty criticisms," Crasweller said.

Crassweller said government ministers and officials are attending trade conferences like the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region: PNWER and the Midwest Legislative Conference in Minnesota this week to build relationships with U.S. politicians.

He stressed that resolving the trade dispute is the responsibility of the federal government.

Sarauer said the decision is frustrating, but shows that the government, "is not listening to the people of Saskatchewan."

Alexander Quon is the provincial affairs reporter for CBC Saskatchewan. He has been a reporter with CBC Saskatchewan since 2021 and is happy to be working in his hometown of Regina after half a decade in Atlantic Canada. He has previously worked with the CBC News investigative unit in Nova Scotia and Global News in Halifax. Alexander specializes in freedom of information requests and data reporting. He can be reached at: alexander.quon@cbc.ca.