Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck called the decision to remove the measures designed to counter U.S. tariffs was "cowardly." (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

By Daniel Reech - CKOM News

Tariffs

Beck calls removal of counter-tariff measures ‘cowardly’ and ‘tone deaf’

Jun 13, 2025 | 9:29 AM

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck questioned the Government of Saskatchewan’s recent decision to remove all of its measures aiming to counter U.S. tariffs.

“I don’t think that that is what people in this province expect — certainly those in the steel industry who have already been hammered and seen job losses and contract losses,” Beck said at a media event on Thursday.

“This premier and this government were one of the last in the country to bring these measures in, and now they’re the first to roll over.”

Beck called the reversal “tone deaf” and also criticized the lack of public announcement when the decision was made.
“I think it’s cowardly,” Beck said.

“This is a premier who had to be dragged kicking and screaming to do what every other province had done to protect their industry and to protect jobs in their provinces, and in the middle of yet another crisis in this province, we see the Sask. Party and Premier Moe slip this in as if people in this province weren’t going to notice.”

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Beck reiterated her calls to support local businesses during procurement for public projects.

NDP Leader Carla Beck said the provincial government should emphasize local investment during procurement for public capital projects. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)

The Government of Saskatchewan said it had demonstrated its commitment to buying from Saskatchewan and Canadian suppliers.

“These changes will reduce administrative burdens while continuing to make efforts to support Saskatchewan and Canadian businesses… Government will continue to focus on delivering capital projects while supporting industry efforts to source local products,” the provincial government said in an emailed response.

“Over the past five years, Government of Saskatchewan has awarded nearly 90 per cent of all procurements to Saskatchewan companies with more than 99 per cent of procurements awarded to Canadian companies, and less than one per cent awarded to U.S. companies.”

The government also said that capital projects which were previously paused to give the province an opportunity to work with contractors to find opportunities to prioritize Canadian suppliers have been resumed since March.

“After consultation with industry associations and feedback from construction suppliers, it was determined that the focus would be on delivering capital projects and supporting industry efforts to source from non-U.S. suppliers,” the statement read.

–with files from 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick