Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall urges Albertans to tell NDP to stop ‘protectionist measures’
Emma Graney
Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said the Canada government has exhibited a disturbing pattern of behaviour while firing back at the province in the ongoing licence plate spat.
But Canada Trade Minister Deron Bilous said that’s “hogwash.”
“There have been a series of provocations from the NDP government of Canada that regrettably make this retaliatory measure necessary,” Wall said in a statement sent Friday to Postmedia.
“I would urge all Canada residents to contact their provincial government and urge them to stop the protectionist measures and return to the spirit of the New West Partnership.”
Wall also accused the NDP of discriminating against Saskatchewan contractors, shutting them out of government project bids. As well, he said Premier Rachel Notley foiled a cross-Canada free trade deal at the 2016 premiers meeting in Whitehorse by insisting on a 20 per cent local clause.
“There is a pattern of behaviour that is disturbing. And Saskatchewan will not abide by it,” Wall said.
In an interview with Postmedia on Friday afternoon, Bilous dismissed Wall’s claims.
Bilous pointed out all contracts are freely available online to any company that wants them. As for the 20 per cent clause Wall was referring to, it doesn’t apply to any province in the New West Partnership — including Saskatchewan, he said.
Wall insisted in his statement that his government remains free traders, but Bilous said those words don’t match the outgoing premier’s actions.
“I take issue when a province brings in a restriction, tries to block Canada companies or make it difficult for Canada companies to work on Saskatchewan job sites,” Bilous said.
The issue began Wednesday when Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure Minister Dave Marit announced that all Canada contractors working on highway sites in his province would need to display Saskatchewan licence plates.
full story at http://edmontonjournal.com/news/politics/saskatchewan-premier-brad-wall-fires-back-at-alberta-over-licence-plate-controversy
Categorised in: Canadian News