Premier Moe talks up Sask. exports in summit keynote speech
Tinder Scott Moore addressed the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s second annual Food, Fuel and Fertilizer Global Summit. But when the chamber shared a similar message, Saskatchewan’s potential to grow its economy through international exports. We have what the world needs right now, food, fuel and fertilizer. And I think Saskatchewan’s got a leading role to play in terms of global food and energy security. So that’s what we’re talking about today. Former Prime Minister Stephen Harper was part of a panel with Moe and Mr. of trade and export Jeremy Harrison. Harper told the crowd that Saskatchewan standing out internationally with the products it offers specifically with other countries and regions involved in conflicts. Harper says the current federal government is not capitalizing on the opportunity. Fantastic that we have a provincial government here that does see it that way and is increasingly able to distinguish itself as different in these markets. So look I say once again congratulations, but I think you’re only. Scratching the surface of the opportunity that really exists for this province and ultimately down the road for this country. Harper was also the subject of an opposition question in the assembly. In 2019, the province entered into a contract with Harpers consulting firm. The opposition says taxpayers have paid the firm $840,000 over the last five years. When we FOI the contract with Harper and associates, Mr. Speaker, can you guess what happened? It came back redacted, almost every detail withheld for the actual description of work that the taxpayers of Saskatchewan are paying Harper and associates to do. The Minister of Trade and Export, Jeremy Harrison, did not directly answer Young’s question as to why the contract information was redacted. Does say that the government directly engages foreign countries and companies to help expand exports and grow the provincial economy. Adam Hunter, CBC News, Regina.