Government Operations Committee on March 27th, 2024

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

That's fine, Mr. Moe.

Keep in mind that the tremendous work the people of Saskatchewan do is greatly appreciated. All of Canada has to stand united to improve our economy, support trade, initiate competitiveness, fight climate change and ensure that overall emissions are lowered to support a green economy. I think you've said that in so many words. You've reaffirmed that it's important for us to stand united. Of course, the federal government has invested $100 million or so in a potash mine. We recognize the importance of regional economic growth for the benefit of all of Canada.

Premier, you applauded the Supreme Court of Canada's finding on the federal Impact Assessment Act. Do you recognize the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court of Canada?

[Scott Moe]

Most certainly we do.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

You also encourage Saskatchewan residents to abide by the laws you put in force, like the sales tax you've increased, the fees you've imposed. You want your residents to pay their taxes, and you don't want them breaking the law. Is that correct?

[Scott Moe]

Yes, one hundred per cent. We have a sales tax that's 3% lower than it was under the New Democrats.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

We want to make certain that everyone abides by the law. You're a man of law. You're a man of order.

The Supreme Court also found that the federal pollution pricing system is constitutional. I know you're disputing it and you're going forward with that, and that's appropriate, but do you recognize the top court of this country when they make their decisions, sir?

[Scott Moe]

I do certainly, and we expect these decisions to end up in a similar court at some point in time.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

You've already stated that you want to lower emissions. Is that correct?

[Scott Moe]

That's correct.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

You want to see Canada and Saskatchewan.... You're the former minister of environment and you see the benefit.

[Scott Moe]

I would say Saskatchewan is already participating in the lowering of our emissions.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

There probably is a pricing system, a carbon trading system, with some of your major polluters now. I know that Ontario instituted cap and trade back in 2017, when I was the minister of finance, as a pricing system to exempt Ontario from the alternative, which is the federal program. We're being encouraged to initiate that to support the green economy, enable us to be competitive and abide by international laws, because, of course, our farmers and others are competing out there and we want them to do well.

Did Saskatchewan ever consider an alternative system?

[Scott Moe]

We did. All of them were costly to our industry, like the federal backstop we're experiencing now, and costly to Saskatchewan families.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

You're of the opinion that you should never say never, but it sounds like you're kicking the can down the road for the next generation to deal with. What we need is to take initiative and ensure we are prepared to do what's necessary for future generations and ensure we're competitive. Is that right?

[Scott Moe]

I'm quite proud of what Saskatchewan is doing. I mentioned the oil industry and what we have already done through investments in that industry.

In our agricultural industry, our Global Institute for Food Security just did a study comparing wheat and canola production and the amount of carbon in a tonne of Saskatchewan wheat and canola relative to the amount in the next seven largest producers around the world. The carbon content in a Saskatchewan tonne of wheat and canola is 64% lower than that of the next seven producers. When it comes to field peas, it is 92% lower.

I would say, with all due respect, that Saskatchewan industries are most certainly doing their part, and they're going to continue to do so.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

I applaud the efforts that the people of Saskatchewan have taken to move forward.

[Scott Moe]

We appreciate that.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

Sir, before I go on to my next point, can you provide this committee with some documents on how you came to be here? I mean your schedule, who was contacting you and when you were contacted for you to appear today? Would you do that?

[Scott Moe]

I will if the committee feels that's of relevance.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

It is.

[Scott Moe]

What I would ask is for this committee to encourage the chair of the finance committee to allow the premiers—as per the original request—to present at that committee as well. I think it's important.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

By all means, provide both. That would be great.

Chair, I would like to put forward a motion on notice at this point. I will have it translated into French. It reads as follows:

That, when the committee undertakes to invite witnesses:

(a) a witness list submission deadline be set by the chair, with the explicit consent of the committee;

(b) witnesses be invited proportionally to each recognized party’s standing in the House; and

(c) no witness be invited without instruction of the committee.

I'm moving this motion forward.

[Ron McKinnon, Liberal, Coquitlam—Port Coquitlam, BC]

On a point of order, I want to clarify if the member was moving the motion or giving notice.

[The Chair, Conservative, Kelly McCauley]

I was just going to ask that.

[Charles Sousa, Liberal, Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON]

I'm moving the motion.

[Philip Lawrence, Conservative, Northumberland—Peterborough South, ON]

I have a point of order.