BREAKING: Saskatchewan First Act becomes law

Provincial autonomy advocates can rejoice after Saskatchewan passed Bill 88, The Saskatchewan First Act, Thursday morning to reiterate areas of provincial jurisdiction, particularly resource development.

“This is a major step in defending our economic potential from federal overreach while we continue to build a strong and growing economy that benefits everyone in Saskatchewan,” tweeted Premier Scott Moe.

The Saskatchewan First Act passed in the legislature this morning.

This is a major step in defending our economic potential from federal overreach while we continue to build a strong and growing economy that benefits everyone in SK.

That’s growth that works for everyone. pic.twitter.com/zBDpcE4qK9

— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) March 16, 2023

“That’s growth that works for everyone.”

Saskatchewan’s justice minister previously accused Ottawa of causing significant harm to investor confidence and reaffirmed the Act does not seek to override Canada's Constitution.

"This is about protecting the people of the province and the economy of the province from policy [that causes harm]," said Justice Minister Bronwyn Eyre.

The Act passed a second reading in November and asserts Saskatchewan has exclusive jurisdiction over its resources per section 92A. It also sets up a tribunal for future court cases on resource development matters.

A Saskatchewan environmental group is joining a growing list of organizations and people objecting to the province's proposed Bill 88, also known as the Saskatchewan First Act. https://t.co/KV6Cip4sKl

— Rebel News Canada (@RebelNews_CA) February 4, 2023

However, the province has faced incredible pushback on pro-autonomy legislation from Indigenous and environmental groups in recent months.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations, representing 74 First Nations in Saskatchewan, disagreed with the premise of the legislation. Over 35 chiefs called for the province to repeal the bill in December; otherwise, they would seek legal recourse.

Eyre claimed to have had a "cordial discussion" with some chiefs, including Chief Bobby Cameron with the federation, on how the bill would not affect Indigenous rights. She admitted her government did not consult Indigenous stakeholders before pursuing this legislation.

When asked whether the bill is necessary, the minister responded that investors had told her that Ottawa is sending mixed messages with its policies.

Eyre reiterated that the legislation is "not about fed-bashing for fun."

"It’s about drawing the line," she said.

It's official: Bill 1, the Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act, passed its third and final reading in the legislature early Thursday morning and is set to receive Royal Assent.

MORE: https://t.co/Km7LphGTfZ pic.twitter.com/9ziWdEfEfJ

— Rebel News Canada (@RebelNews_CA) December 9, 2022

Tensions between Ottawa and the governing Saskatchewan Party flared in January after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau failed to inform the Premier's Office he would be touring a rare-earth minerals processing plant in Saskatoon.

The Feds also pressed the province on its record for clean energy last month, to which Moe replied he hopes to hear a commitment from Trudeau soon.

Eyre adds that the federal government is "very hard" on the West. She even criticized Ottawa for not acting as an honourable partner in the federation. 

Eyre also claimed they continue to "infringe" on provincial jurisdiction, pointing to the federal carbon tax, environmental impact legislation, and the expected "Just Transition" legislation — a plan to transition entire sectors of the economy to embrace net-zero ecological impacts.

According to a leaked federal memo, prospective "Just Transition" legislation could eliminate 2.7 million jobs or approximately 13.5% of the Canadian workforce across agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and transportation.

But according to the Saskatchewan First Act, its proposed tribunal would determine the economic harm of such policies, and it would help in scenarios such as Saskatchewan’s challenge to the carbon tax.

Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet believes the pathway to Albertan independence is more straightforward than ever under the Alberta Sovereignty Within A United Canada Act.

MORE: https://t.co/hH4VKXyTG8 pic.twitter.com/GD5VYBmkrd

— Rebel News Québec (@RebelNews_QC) December 4, 2022

In March of 2021, the Supreme Court upheld the federal carbon tax in a 6-3 decision despite legal challenges from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said her Alberta Sovereignty Within a United Canada Act has similar aims to challenge the constitutionality of federal legislation with perceived harm to her province without subverting Supreme Court rulings.

Smith said last fall that she would consider relitigating Canada's Supreme Court on their federal carbon tax ruling upon receiving new information, according to legal advice she received. 

"We have new information. We have a war in Ukraine. We have a global world increase in prices. We have global instability. We have an affordability crisis."

Eyre said the Act's tribunal would be independent, but the government would refer to the policy for cost analysis in cases where the province takes the federal government to court. 

She criticized the feds for not valuing the development of Saskatchewan's resources while adding that investors worldwide and in the United States see its importance.