SASKATOON — Saskatchewan-NDP Shadow Minister for Jobs and Economy Aleana Young hopes the Saskatchewan Party-led government will cross party lines to form a Team Saskatchewan Task Force to address the recent job loss numbers amid a potential trade war with the United States.
Young said the opposition caucus, led by Leader Carla Beck, had been calling on an all-hands-on-deck approach to avoid a trade war with Canada’s closest and one of the biggest trading partners to protect the jobs of Saskatchewan residents in all industries—agriculture, oil and gas, manufacturing, mining, etc.
U.S. President Trump, during the campaign and after winning a second term, was consistent in saying that he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on goods coming from Canada and Mexico, a move that will not only increase the prices of the products, which will be shouldered by their consumers, but will also result to job loss.
The Trump administration postponed imposing the tariffs, which would have taken effect last Tuesday, Feb. 4, after Canada and Mexico agreed to increase security at their respective borders to prevent illegal immigrants and dangerous substances from entering each country. Premier Scott Moe is in Washington, D.C., and will travel to Mexico on Thursday, Feb. 13. However, on Monday, Feb. 10, Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from all countries.
“We must avoid a trade war; we must protect jobs and our way of life. It's a real challenge. We've been clear with specifics. Team Saskatchewan Task Force is number one. Our team [Sask-NDP] is out there every single day. I've already had [five] meetings with industry, labour, [and] small business leaders. People want to be part of the solution. This will impact everyone,” said Young, the Regina South Albert MLA, on Friday, Feb. 7.
“A Team Saskatchewan Task Force will look at making that case to the [U.S.] government and Americans. To the industries and job creators south of the border who will be impacted by these tariffs, just like we will be. Like food, fuel, fertilizer. All of these are crucial to our way of life and those of the people in the U.S. In addition, we are looking at real concerns around interprovincial trade barriers and ensuring that we have that all-hands-on-deck approach.”
She added they hope to be back in the Legislature soon since all levels of government—municipal, provincial, and federal—must be focused on dealing with the repercussions that may arise from the threat of a trade war. The 13th Legislature’s session is adjourned and will resume at the behest of Speaker Todd Goudy.
Young added that even before the uncertainty brought by a potential trade war south of the border, Saskatchewan had already lost 1,800 jobs month-over-month—from December 2024 to January 2025—with 1,600 full-time employment, the worst job numbers in the country.
“With the cost of living concerns at an all-time high, healthcare in crisis, people worried about their kids in schools, and record numbers of newcomers leaving Saskatchewan, the Saskatchewan Party government is losing people, and they're losing jobs. All of this in the face of a [possible] trade war. People want to know that their elected officials are at work, doing everything they can, doing the jobs they were elected to do,” said Young.
“Ensuring that wages keep pace with inflation. We have the lowest minimum wage in Canada, and that's shameful. It should be an honest day's wage for an honest day's work. That uncertainty isn't good for the economy. It's certainly not good for investment. It's also not good for people wondering what this will do to their bills, paychecks, and jobs.”
