Beck writes federal ministers to repeal Bill C-69

Beck writes federal ministers to repeal Bill C-69 and revise the Clean Electricity Regulations

REGINA – As the sitting resumes in the House of Commons, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck sent five letters to a total of nine ministers in Carney’s cabinet calling for action on Saskatchewan issues that have too often been ignored by federal governments of all stripes.

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck at the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show in June, 2022. Photo by Brian Zinchuk

“Canadians were incredibly frustrated with Justin Trudeau’s government and his failure to deliver results on important files,” said Beck in a release. “It’s no secret that this frustration was felt more strongly in Saskatchewan than anywhere else in Canada.

“We need to see real progress on these critical issues facing our country. This is a critical moment of consensus, where we can focus on our future and get generational projects built.”

Beck’s federal priorities include:

• Changing the equalization formula to be fairer for Saskatchewan

• Making generational investments in infrastructure to get Saskatchewan’s exports to new markets, including more rail lines, pipelines and power lines

• Renewing the $10/day childcare agreement

• Repealing Bill C-69 and revising the Clean Electricity Regulations

• Building a stronger relationship with Indigenous peoples based on action, not just promises

• Protecting workers and businesses from the impact of tariffs while working day and night to get them removed

“The new Prime Minister has committed to a new approach, and I am optimistic that his commitment will be met by real action by this new government on the issues that matter most to people in my province,” Beck said.

“Our economy needs to be more resilient in the face of Donald Trump’s threats and the people of Western Canada deserve to see a bright future for themselves by staying in a strong and united Canada.”

Here is Beck’s letter to the minister of Environment and Climate Change, and Energy and Natural Resources, verbatim. Note that it is CC’d to Buckley Belanger, newly-minted Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, who until recently was a member of Beck’s caucus in the Saskatchewan NDP.

Dear Minister Hodgson and Minister Dabrusin:

On behalf of Saskatchewan’s Official Opposition, I wish to congratulate you on your appointment to the Prime Minister’s cabinet.

Canadians were incredibly frustrated with Justin Trudeau’s government and his failure to deliver results on important files. It’s no secret that this frustration was felt more strongly in Saskatchewan than anywhere else in Canada. The new Prime Minister has committed to a new approach, and I am optimistic that his commitment will be met by real action by this new government on the issues that matter most to people in my province.

As the federal ministers responsible for natural resource development and environmental protection, Saskatchewan people are counting on you to reverse course on many of the damaging policies of the Trudeau government – policies that, broadly, moved too far and too fast for Saskatchewan’s economy. The federal government’s Clean Electricity Regulations need to be revised with realistic goals for provinces like Saskatchewan that rely on fossil fuels for power generation. The unconstitutional and damaging changes brought into force by Bill C-69 need to be repealed. Federal investments will be needed to build new interties and increase SaskPower’s generation capacity, including renewables, to power our economy and enhance our energy and national security. Clear and predictable assessment frameworks are needed so that Canada can attract the investment needed to develop our world-class resources and build the pipelines, rail lines, and power lines needed to get those products to market.

Our country faces serious threats to our sovereignty and national unity today. To our south, the Trump administration threatens to make Canada the 51st state and separatists in Western Canada are organizing today to try and break our country apart. Addressing both of these threats will require the new government – and your two ministries specifically – to get to work on unlocking the full potential of our natural resources and the Canadian economy.

Thank you for your attention to these important matters for people in Saskatchewan and across Canada. I look forward to seeing real progress on these critical issues facing our country.

Sincerely,
Carla Beck, M.L.A.
Leader of the Official Opposition
cc: The Honourable Buckley Belanger, P.C., E.C.S., M.P.