Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Trade and Export Development Kim Breckner was in Prince Albert on Friday. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Provincial politics

Sask. NDP says provincial response to Trump tariffs lacks strength

Mar 7, 2025 | 2:04 PM

Standing on Prince Albert’s riverbank, and not far from the bridge that connects the city to destinations west and north, the Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Trade and Export Development said the Saskatchewan government has let down farmers and the agriculture industry, by not standing up to U.S. President Trump and correcting misinformation.

Kim Breckner was in Prince Albert on Friday, and referenced a comment made Trump, in which he referred to Canada’s agriculture exports as uninspected, dirty and disgusting.

“My husband manages a grain elevator, he can tell you how stringent our food safety regulations are. The U.S. pales in comparison,” she said

On Thursday, it was announced the U.S. would temporarily pause tariffs on goods that meet the rules of origin requirements under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement, and lowering levies on potash to 10 per cent, until April 2.

Ottawa responded by suspending a planned second wave of retaliatory tariffs. Saskatchewan announced its own measures this week and Breckner, who also stressed the need to re-open the legislature, said the province cannot let up and must show strength.

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“The goal isn’t not smaller tariffs, it’s not tariffs in 30 days, its no tariffs, zero tariffs, off the table”

While noting the province’s measures that include taking american liquor out of distribution and banning US contracts, Breckner said we should go further by building rail lines, pipelines, and power lines and twinning the Trans Canada highway

“The rail line to Prince Albert welcomed its first train way back in 1890. Imagine the benefits of increased rail to this area,” she said.

Further denouncing the Sask Party’s slow response to the tariffs, Breckner called on local MLAs to come out of hiding.

‘They could have a town hall right here in downtown Prince Albert and I’d be happy to attend to lend them a a hand”

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Blue Sky: @nigelmaxwell.bsky.social