Saskatchewan's budget targets tariff impacts on agriculture

Saskatchewan's finance minister is set to reveal details about the province's 2025 budget on Wednesday. Jim Reiter mentioned that the budget will focus on tariffs affecting the province, with emphasis on challenges from both the United States and China. Recently, the U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum, with further levies expected soon. Canada has responded with equal tariffs on U.S. products. Additionally, China plans to impose 100% tariffs on Canadian canola oil and peas in retaliation for Canadian tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. Saskatchewan is a major producer of canola, growing over half of Canada's total. The upcoming budget is titled “Delivering for you” and will prioritize health care, education, and crime reduction, based on promises from last fall’s election campaign. Premier Scott Moe plans to increase spending in these areas, aiming to reduce surgical wait times and improve literacy among young students. The government also intends to freeze education property taxes while increasing funding for municipalities. The Saskatchewan Party had promised deficits in the first three years to support this spending alongside tax relief for families. As tradition dictates, Reiter arrived in new shoes for the budget announcement, noting their origin from India to avoid products from China and the U.S. He has not disclosed whether the budget will show a deficit or surplus. The provincial legislature will resume on Wednesday. The opposition NDP is urging the government to hire more healthcare workers to address long wait times for medical procedures, including mammograms. They aim to condemn U.S. President Donald Trump for his tariffs and other actions affecting Canada. Saskatchewan's legislature consists of 61 seats: 34 held by the governing Saskatchewan Party and 27 by the NDP.