SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan NDP is looking forward to Premier Scott Moe resuming the discussion on the tariffs imposed by China on Canadian goods, particularly canola products, of which the province is one of the country’s top producers.
Moe will join the other provincial and territorial premiers in meeting Prime Minister Mark Carney for the first time since the Liberals secured a fourth straight mandate. The meeting will be held the same day as Carney’s cabinet ministers' summit in Saskatoon on June 2.
Shadow minister for trade and export development Kim Breckner said the Opposition caucus wants Moe to advocate for Saskatchewan’s industries, specifically canola and its byproduct canola meal, which is used in animal feed, and ensure this issue is discussed further with Carney.
“We want Premier Moe to advocate for Saskatchewan with Prime Minister Carney. Specifically for more generational infrastructure projects, pipelines and power lines. We also strongly need to get across the detrimental impact of the Chinese canola counter-tariffs,” said Breckner.
Last year, Saskatchewan earned an estimated $1.1 billion in canola oil exports, while canola meal generated approximately $918 million. Non-durum wheat and canola seed – other key agricultural exports, reached $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.
Breckner added that the Opposition has been urging the federal government to remove tariffs on Chinese-made EVs due to their harmful effects on Saskatchewan’s farmers and agriculture industry.
“We’re seeing the Chinese tariffs on canola oil and meal devastatingly impacting our farmers. We need to see improved relations between Ottawa and the West,” said Breckner.
She said these are some of the issues the Opposition wants Premier Moe to raise with Prime Minister Carney, who has expressed interest in working with Western Canadian leaders to mend ties with Ottawa after decades of perceived neglect.
China imposed retaliatory tariffs earlier this year after the Canadian government, under former prime minister Justin Trudeau, imposed duties on Chinese-made electric vehicles late last year.
Canada introduced a 100 per cent surtax on EVs produced in China in October 2024, as well as 25 per cent levi on steel and aluminum products. In response, China announced in March 2025 tariffs of 100 per cent on Canadian canola oil and canola cake, and peas, as well as 25 per cent on seafood and pork.
