Premier Scott Moe says his government’s policies have created stability — or “certainty” — in Saskatchewan and ensured that it can continue to provide opportunities while attracting national and international investment.
Nearly 200 people filled the Events Centre curling rink on April 25 to hear from the Sask. Party leader during the annual Premier’s Dinner.
During his speech, Moe touched on the Opposition NDP, this October’s provincial election, his government’s latest budget, challenges and opportunities facing Saskatchewan, national politics, and international investment.
Saskatchewanians elected the Sask. Party in 2007 to focus on creating a “strong, growing (and) vibrant economy,” so to ensure that continues and that people continue moving here, the one attribute required is certainty, the premier said.
“Certainty is such an important word, and it’s one that has nationally evaded our grasp the last eight or nine years,” he stated.
Provincially, it’s important to have a party that values certainty and invests in core areas, which is what the Sask. Party did in its 2024-25 budget by focusing on — and making “historic” investments in — classrooms, communities and health care, the premier continued.
The premier highlighted his government’s focus — with MLA Tim McLeod taking the lead — on helping addicts recover from their problems instead of making it easier for them to access drugs through so-called harm reduction; this generated much applause.
“When it comes to the use of illicit drugs, there is no safe use amount … when you think about the poison that is available in our nation and our communities,” Moe said.
The government won’t be spending money on crack pipes or handing out bags of needles but will focus on a recovery-oriented system of care that creates capacity and helps people access the system when they want to change, he continued.
The Sask. Party has also supported communities — and provided certainty for them — by investing in policing, building schools, hospitals and infrastructure, and increasing funding for the municipal revenue sharing program, Moe said.
He noted that since 2007, the province has increased that funding — a measure of the province’s strong economy — in Moose Jaw by 180 per cent.
“In October, we’re all going to have a choice … in shaping what the future of our province looks like,” Moe said. “And on the other side of that ballot choice is going to be uncertainty — that’s the NDP.”
The NDP forming government is a possibility even when it seems impossible, as evidenced by the Alberta NDP becoming an “accidental government” in 2015 because of divided right-wing parties, the premier said.
“Make no mistake, a united minority can govern a divided majority — and they will, if you allow it,” Moe remarked.
The premier summarized — in his view — the past and present failings of the provincial NDP, such as its opposition to the potash and oil and gas industries, its ungrateful attitude about Saskatchewan, its closure of 52 rural hospitals and 176 schools, and its inability to maintain highways.
He also singled out the national NDP for similar views and for propping up the Liberal government, thereby creating more uncertainty, inhibiting economic opportunities and perpetuating the carbon tax.
“There is everything to be proud of in this province. Today, the fact is this: the NDP Party is less of a political party and more of a collection point for activists … ,” Moe added.
Saskatchewan creates some of the most sustainable and ethical products — food, fuel, fertilizer, uranium and oil and gas — in the world with the lowest carbon emissions, the premier said.
If any jurisdiction — nationally or internationally — is concerned about food security or energy security, it should look to Saskatchewan and its producers.
“We have what the world needs today and tomorrow, probably more than has ever been realized,” Moe said.
Certainty ensures all these good things will happen, and — with support from the Sask. Party government — leads to opportunities, investments, population growth and confidence in the province, the premier continued. Conversely, none of this would exist under an NDP government.
Moe added that this October, voters can choose to either return to “the dark days” of the NDP that saw decline and closure or “make the right choice” and build on the growth of the last 17 years.
