FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan 31, 2025
The PC Party of Saskatchewan is calling for a more decisive response to looming tariffs.
Regina, SK – The province and the country are just hours away from punishing tariffs which the American President intends to impose on Canada and Canadian products. There have been differing opinions on how Canada should respond. While the majority of the Premiers want to impose retaliatory tariffs there are a few who have backed away from that approach, and are instead relying on communicating with our neighbours to the south so the American public will understand how these tariffs will affect them and their wallets.
For years, the U.S. has been Canada’s largest trading partner, due in large part to having the largest unprotected border, and the friendship these two countries have shared for over a century. However, this has left Canada vulnerable when it comes to trade especially when it comes to instances like we are currently facing.
“This is what happens when you put all your eggs in one basket. When you don’t look at other avenues to process, refine or ship products to other trading partners and you rely mostly on one country for exports, you leave yourself open to that country feeling that they are not getting their fair shake, and then try bully their way to get what they want,” said Progressive Conservative Party of Saskatchewan Leader Rose Buscholl. “It is time to start moving away from our dependency to the U.S. for trade and start looking elsewhere in the world,” she added. “If you were to take energy off the table Canada actually has a trade deficit with the U.S. despite the misinformation that the American President wants to spin. All provinces need to have not only a strong, united approach to these tariffs, but we all need to work together to come up with feasible strategies to get our products to other global markets,” she said.
“Saskatchewan and Manitoba can easily work together to ship oil and gas to other markets by utilizing the Hudson Bay Route and shipping product out through the Port of Churchill and do more refining in Saskatchewan and Manitoba so we can ship out refined oil and gas thereby getting the best price for our products,” said Buscholl.
One thing that everyone can agree on is that 25 percent tariffs will make products even less affordable for people who are already struggling. Buscholl concluded by saying “People and families are already facing serious challenges in Saskatchewan and Canada, and this is an unwelcome addition. Lately it is starting to feel like we are living an episode of Fear Thy Neighbour.”
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Further information may be obtained by contacting Leader Rose Buscholl at 306-716-0706 or the PC Party office at 306-565-5580