SASKATOON — Shadow Minister for Jobs and Economy Aleana Young acknowledges that strengthening the country’s economy through infrastructure projects would help silence separatist groups in Alberta and Saskatchewan, who are looking to either form an independent nation or join the U.S. as the 51st state.
Young made the comments after the First Ministers’ Meeting between Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Premiers of the 10 provinces and three territories on Monday, June 2, in Saskatoon. The country’s leaders discussed nation-building projects based on the list submitted by all the premiers.
“We must collectively acknowledge that the best path forward is to build a strong economy for Saskatchewan within a united Canada. This is a critical moment of consensus, where we can focus on the future and bring generational projects to life. At the same time, Prime Minister Carney has committed to a new approach,” said Young.
“We're hopeful that there will be real and immediate action to get the job done. Let's be clear, the best way to quell Western separatism is to ensure that the West doesn't want out, and to make sure that the West is in, is by building [infrastructure] projects here in Saskatchewan and across this country.”
She added that the Saskatchewan NDP is hopeful the meeting will result in support for investments, such as expanding railways and ports, building a transnational pipeline, improving the country’s main thoroughfare connecting the West Coast to the rest of the country, and expanding electrical transmission lines.
“First, expanding rail and port capacity and ensuring rapid, reliable movement of agricultural and mining products to market. Second, we need to build a pipeline to the East Coast to carry Western oil and gas to new markets in Europe,” said the Regina 小蓝视频 Albert 小蓝视频.
“Third, we want the federal government to twin Highway 1 from coast to coast so that truckers can move quickly and safely (along with their goods across Canada without entering the United States.”
Young added that expanding and improving the provincial electrical transmission lines would be an advantage for selling Saskatchewan-generated power to the rest of the country and other markets. Additionally, involving Indigenous communities in the plans for building a transnational pipeline is also necessary.
“We're at the heart of this country, and we can and should be powering its economic growth. These are our priorities today and into the future. You can count on Saskatchewan to build Canada, and you should bet on Saskatchewan to drive this economy. The Saskatchewan NDP is focused on the future, and we know that this is a real opportunity to get things built to build our economy for generations to come,” she added.
“The most important thing is to have respect for duty, to consult, actually to involve Indigenous communities from the start. Industry doesn't want to be in court any more than First Nations do. The best way to ensure that we have successful projects, that we have real buy-in from communities across this country, whether provincial or whether Indigenous, is to involve people in a real, meaningful way from the start, not just as a box to check.”
