Sask. Premier Moe releases white paper on how province can 'defend' economic autonomy

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has released a policy paper claiming the federal government's environmental policies would cost the province $111 billion over 12 years and vowing to affirm and advance Saskatchewan's "constitutional authority and autonomy within Canada."

Moe released the paper, titled Drawing the Line: Defending Saskatchewan's Economic Autonomy, during an event hosted by the Battlefords and District Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday afternoon.

The province released an analysis by the Ministry of Finance that says nine federal climate change policies will cost the Saskatchewan economy a combined $111 billion from 2023 to 2035.

The ministry's cost analysis does not include the impact of the federal government's proposed Clean Electricity Standard, which it said requires the "elimination of conventional fossil fuel produced electricity in Saskatchewan by 2035."

It also does not factor in any revenue or economic benefits that might be generated by pursuing alternative energy industries, or other factors such as the carbon tax money the federal government returns to people via income tax rebates.

Moe said the economic situation in the province has been "exacerbated in recent years by the current federal government's continued interference in the province's jurisdiction over natural resources under the guise of federal environmental regulation."

"It's time to defend and assert Saskatchewan's economic autonomy by 'drawing the line,' taking a number of steps including the introduction of provincial legislation to clarify and protect Saskatchewan's constitutional rights," Moe said.

The 18-page document concludes by listing options the provincial government may take:

"A strong Saskatchewan means a strong Canada, but we cannot allow continued federal intrusion into our exclusive constitutional right to develop our natural resources and grow our economy. We will defend and protect Saskatchewan jobs and our economic future," Moe said.

Read the province's calculations on the cost of following federal policies here:

Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault and Minister for Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson released a joint statement Tuesday in response to the paper.

"Our government is focused on growing the economy, making life more affordable, and building a strong, healthy future for our kids and grandkids. We're ready to keep working with every single province and territory to make that happen," the statement said.

The ministers said Saskatchewan people will receive their Climate Action Incentive payment from the federal pollution pricing system this Friday. They said a family of four will receive $275.25.

"Scrapping a program which puts money directly into people's pockets does not make life better for Saskatchewanians. Nor does spending taxpayer dollars to ask the Supreme Court to revisit a decision it made only last year."