Saskatchewan industries welcome federal budget with unanswered questions

Key industries in Saskatchewan say they are welcoming the federal government's new budget, but still have questions on its implementation and have issues to be addressed.

As industry leaders in Saskatchewan are weighing up the federal government’s budget, they say many boxes are checked while others are left empty.

Agriculture producers in the province say they are pleased with the budget’s focus on the farming industry, especially in local infrastructure investments.

But the president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) says it is more focused on long-term investments and does not do enough to address current issues the industry is facing, such as the Chinese tariffs on canola and yellow peas.

“As producers, we’re not necessarily looking for a cash hand out from the government. We’re looking for some concrete avenues to get these tariffs gone so we can resume normal trade,” said Bill Prybylski.

“That’s what we need, that’s what we’re looking for.”

A new 30 per cent levy was placed by India on Canadian yellow pea producers beginning Nov. 1, adding to China’s 100 per cent yellow pea tariff imposed in March.

China’s tariffs were seen in retaliation for Canada’s introduction of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, while India says the tariffs are to curb cheaper imports of yellow peas to support domestic farmers.

Prybylski says the peas, lentils and bean industry — also known as pulse — has been hit hard this past year, with pea prices declining by about 30 to 40 per cent this year.