Scott Moe, the Premier of Saskatchewan, has expressed a renewed sense of optimism regarding trade relations, particularly following his recent trip to China. He believes that Ottawa is no longer a barrier to Saskatchewan's success and may even play a role in its solutions. "The generational opportunity that we have here is one I hope we don’t let pass by," Moe stated. He emphasized a shift in approach, saying, "We see these opportunities before us, and we’re really trying to change our tone so that we’re able to actually work together to achieve them."

Moe's comments come after his return from a trade mission aimed at addressing the punitive tariffs imposed by Beijing on Canadian canola. He has adopted a more conciliatory tone towards the federal government, focusing on potential benefits rather than challenges. In a recent media scrum, he criticized journalists for concentrating on tariff issues instead of exploring the opportunities available to Saskatchewan.

During a one-on-one interview, Moe highlighted several projects that could benefit from the momentum of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s nation-building campaign. He pointed to uranium mining projects that have received provincial approval but are awaiting federal regulatory clearance. These projects, he noted, could create jobs for northern and Indigenous communities, providing "ethical jobs ... as well as sustainable jobs for communities that otherwise don’t have a lot of other employment opportunities."

Moe also discussed the potential for growth in the agricultural sector, particularly in value-added products. He stated, "We have the opportunity to move further into the ag value-added space. You know, trade, tariffs, market access; all of these things — it’s a different conversation when you’re talking about ingredients as opposed to raw agriculture products."

Despite some setbacks, such as Viterra's merger with Bunge Global SA affecting plans for a major canola crushing facility in Regina, Moe remains optimistic. He mentioned the potential for high-value pulse ingredients and irrigation projects, asserting, "The sky’s the limit on the value per acre."

Another area Moe identified for growth is the oil sector. He believes that clearer regulatory policies could enhance the industry's performance. He explained that while Saskatchewan oil may not directly access certain pipelines, improved infrastructure could lead to better prices for Saskatchewan oil in the U.S. market and free up rail space for other exports.

Moe is determined to convey a positive outlook, stating, "I think the greatest opportunity — since I’ve been elected, maybe this generation, is actually to determine our own destiny." He emphasized the importance of providing sustainably produced products to the global market.

He also addressed the need for unity among Canadian industries, urging the federal government to avoid pitting one sector against another. Moe suggested that small tariffs might be necessary but argued that supporting industries that can thrive independently is crucial. He noted the significant financial implications of revenue losses in key sectors like canola, auto, and steel, stating, "We don’t have $40- or $50-billion to start propping up industries that quite honestly can function quite well on their own, as long as we have that market access."

While the recent trade mission did not resolve the anti-dumping claims against Canada at the World Trade Organization, Moe views the engagement as a positive step. He expressed hope for increased collaboration among various ministers leading up to international summits, which could facilitate discussions with Chinese leadership.

Reflecting on the past decade of tension between Saskatchewan and Ottawa, Moe acknowledged a shift in perspective. He stated, "Today, what’s happening, is we as Canadians, not as the province of Saskatchewan or a specific industry, but we as Canadians, are having things done to us — in the way of market access, tariff conversations, trade relations — from other leaders outside of Canada. We need to come together and we need to defend what is truly the Canadian economy and the Canadian opportunity, moving forward."

This change in tone is attributed to Carney’s emphasis on the resource sectors and a growing sense of national support for Saskatchewan's initiatives.