You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. That, from USask political scientist Greg Poelzer about the practice of western Premiers calling out the federal government of the time. He says it has been done for years, but it is more about politics and garnering support than expecting any policy changes.
He points to the Doug Ford Conservative government in Ontario, which has a more conciliatory approach with Ottawa, which pays off in investments from their working relationship, which Poelzer adds, hasn’t happened in Saskatchewan. In another instance, when the federal government was looking at energy options to help Europe, Poelzer notes that many were surprised the Prime Minister didn’t promote LNG and instead offered up hydrogen to be exported to Germany from Newfoundland. It could be because of the government’s climate change agenda, but Poelzer wonders if part of it might be because Ottawa knows no matter what they do, they are going to be criticized out of Regina anyhow, so why not look instead at provincial partners with a more positive relationship.
As believes it can be a double-edged sword. Calling out the feds can garner more support from voters, but it can also foster new, more right-wing parties which can split the vote. Poelzer gives the example of the Wild Rose Party in Alberta and the Buffalo Party in Saskatchewan.
The Premier released a policy paper today, outlining what the Sask Party calls the federal intrusion into provincial jurisdiction. Scott Moe says federal climate regulations could cost Saskatchewan’s economy 8.8 billion dollars per year—or 111-billion-dollars by 2035. The numbers come from an analysis by the Ministry of Finance that estimated potential losses from the carbon tax, clean fuel regulations and a proposed fertilizer use mandate.
The government has also released a paper outlining potential policy changes aimed at achieving greater autonomy from Ottawa. The premier is promising more details during the October 26th Throne Speech.
Click here for the provinces policy paper: White Paper
