SASKATOON — Two Saskatchewan NDP 小蓝视频s are urging Premier Scott Moe to support changes that would make it more difficult to introduce a separation initiative through legislation or a citizen-led referendum.
Earlier this month, Opposition Leader Carla Beck introduced the Keep Saskatchewan in Canada Act, which proposed increasing the 15 per cent requirement for triggering a referendum vote to 30 per cent.
However, Shadow Minister for Trade and Export Development Kim Breckner said Moe and the Saskatchewan Party-led government have shut the proposal down seven times, making it harder to address the issue of separation.
“That legislation [Keep Saskatchewan in Canada Act] will also prevent the Premier and cabinet ministers from bringing forward a separation motion without a mandate from the people,” said Breckner on May 20 at the Saskatoon Riversdale Constituency Office.
“So, because this has dire economic consequences, we should increase that threshold. But unfortunately, the Sask. Party has shut down that legislation each time we've tried to bring it up.
“We offered the Sask. Party an opportunity to take a stand against separatism, but Scott Moe and crew played political games and used their majority to block the vote. That was a moment for the Premier to stand up to separatism and end this discussion once and for all,” she said.
Shadow Minister for Highways and Infrastructure Hugh Gordon added that Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s Bill 54 is lowering the threshold for a citizen-led referendum, while the Saskatchewan government has kept it the same.
“Our argument is simply that you can't utilize the same vehicle that you would use to increase the speed limit on the Trans-Canada [Highway] for trying to separate Saskatchewan from Canada,” said Gordon.
“We're saying this is a different bar to meet. The threshold should be much higher because the question and the consequences are far more serious to the province and the country. Therefore, we put forward the Keep Saskatchewan in Canada Act.”
First Nations communities in Alberta have expressed opposition to the legislation introduced by Smith, reminding the Premier that the province cannot simply separate from Canada, as it is bound by Treaties 6, 7 and 8.
Unified Grassroots' sovereignty push
Breckner and Gordon expressed their concerns ahead of a Unified Grassroots town hall meeting scheduled for May 25 at 2 p.m. at Prairieland Park to discuss Saskatchewan’s sovereignty and its perceived benefits.
Breckner said the NDP has been informed that Saskatchewan First Nations recognize the Treaties as binding documents signed between the Crown and Indigenous leaders. She was unsure if First Nations representatives would attend Sunday’s event.
She added that Unified Grassroots has already collected about 7,000 signatures for its petition and that organizers are aiming to reach more people in Saskatchewan, particularly those who feel the federal government is distancing itself from Western Canadians.
“I think it [the town hall] will have a significant turnout. We'll be keeping an eye on that. The group's leader, Nadine Ness, said during a Facebook livestream last week that there will be 15 town halls,” said Breckner.
“This is what we've been warning about for months. And let me be clear: the West has serious and legitimate grievances with Ottawa, and I empathize with United Grassroots members' frustration.”
Breckner said that while Unified Grassroots is pushing for a referendum on Saskatchewan’s separation from Canada, she does not view the organizers as bad actors. However, she warned that the threat of separation could have severe economic consequences for the province and said Moe must respond.
Unified Grassroots’ town hall events will continue through the end of June, with stops planned in Kindersley, Moose Jaw, Meadow Lake, Regina, Shaunavon, Weyburn and Estevan, where organizers will discuss the legal and democratic process of gaining provincial sovereignty.
“We're at such a pivotal moment for Saskatchewan. We should be focused on the future, creating good-paying jobs, driving investment and building generational economic projects — more rail lines, pipelines and power lines,” said Breckner.
“But all of that will suffer with the continued threat of separatism in Alberta and Saskatchewan. ATCO CEO Nancy 小蓝视频ern clarified last week that even talk of separatism in Alberta hurts investment.”
