🗳️ Gag order

Federal bill raises the ire of Eyre, BoC cuts interest rates, ,and a look at Saskatoon-Willowgrove

June 6, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Good morning. After yesterday’s WestJet UltraBasic fare launch, Air Canada took a dig at their Canadian competitor:

Good times.

Here’s The SKoop for Thursday, June 6:

  • A federal bill raises the ire of Eyre,

  • Bank of Canada cuts interest rates, and

  • A look at Saskatoon-Willowgrove.

Today’s Top Stories

Eyre expresses ‘alarm’ over federal bill

Saskatchewan Minister of Justice Bronwyn Eyre expressed concern on Wednesday over Bill C-59, part of the federal government’s Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023.

Eyre said that the Act could allow environmental activists to bring applications before the Competition Tribunal, potentially leading to fines up to $15 million for companies that advertise their sustainability records without adequate substantiation. Eyre called it a “gag order” on companies.

Eyre criticized the bill for imposing vague and subjective requirements, which place the full burden of proof on companies. She emphasized that the bill was rushed through without consulting provinces, and warned it could deter companies from making environmental claims or pursuing positive climate actions due to the excessive risks involved.

The Saskatchewan government is currently exploring all options to challenge Bill C-59, including invoking the Saskatchewan First Act. The bill is currently at second reading before the Canadian Senate.

The news comes during this week’s Oil and Gas Show in Weyburn.

Focus on infrastructure this election season

Learn more about the great work the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association and its members are doing at saskheavy.ca.

Bank of Canada lowers interest rate amid economic slowdown

The Bank of Canada has reduced its key interest rate by 25 basis points, setting it at 4.75%.

This marks the first rate cut since the pandemic began, reflecting a response to slower economic growth and easing inflation. Bank Governor Tiff Macklem stressed the need for a cautious approach due to ongoing risks like geopolitical tensions and rising housing prices.

Federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland praised the move, attributing it to the government’s economic strategies aimed at fostering growth and stability.

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has said in the past that, if he is elected as Prime Minister, he will fire Macklem and replace him at the Bank of Canada.

Political strategist and commentator Scott Reid said the rate cut news is “the most important political story in months”.

Constituency Profile Series: Sponsored by Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA)

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We’ve been here since 1905, advancing collective member interests with various government bodies, improving local governance, and fostering municipal growth. We are the hubs where you live, work, and play. We're where your children go to school, where you attend medical appointments at the clinic, and where you stop for coffee.

We are urban. To learn more visit www.suma.org.

NDP candidate Alana Wakula, and Sask. Party’s Ken Cheveldayoff

Each week leading up to the 2024 election, The SKoop Political Briefing will highlight a constituency that has nominated a candidate from at least both major parties. Today, we look at Saskatoon Willowgrove.

The incumbent: Ken Cheveldayoff was first elected in 2003 and is the only MLA from the class of ‘03 running again. He has served in various cabinet and legislative roles in the past and ran for leader in 2018.

The challenger: The NDP held a contested nomination won by Alana Wakula. She is a Saskatoon-based lawyer.

The takeaway: This seat will likely go to the Saskatchewan Party. Upsetting an incumbent is never an easy task, and ‘Chevy’ has well-established roots in the community and has high name recognition. He has held this riding since 2003, which would make him the longest-serving Sask. Party MLA if he were to be re-elected.

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2024 Election Candidate Tracker

  • Premier Scott Moe - Rosthern Shellbrook

  • Lisa Lambert - Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood

  • Muhammad Fiaz - Regina Pasqua

  • Jeremy Harrison - Meadow Lake

  • Lori Carr - Estevan-Big Muddy

  • Eric Schmalz - Saskatchewan Rivers

  • David Buckingham - Saskatoon Westview

  • Bronwyn Eyre - Saskatoon Stonebridge

  • Steven Bonk - Moosomin-Montmartre

  • Jeremy Cockrill - The Battlefords

  • Ken Cheveldayoff - Saskatoon Willowgrove

  • Gene Makowsky - Regina University

  • Alana Ross - Prince Albert Northcote

  • Christine Tell - Regina Wascana Plains

  • David Marit - Wood River

  • Doug Steele - Cypress Hills

  • Terry Jenson - Warman

  • Daryl Harrison - Cannington

  • Travis Keisig - Last Mountain Touchwood

  • Everett Hindley - Swift Current

  • Todd Goudy - Melfort

  • Sean Wilson - Canora-Pelly

  • Warren Kaeding - Melville-Saltcoats

  • Tim McLeod - Moose Jaw North

  • Paul Merriman - Saskatoon Silverspring

  • Terri Bromm - Carrot River Valley

  • Colleen Young - Lloydminster

  • Jim Reiter - Rosetown-Delisle

  • Jim Lemaigre - Athabasca

  • Kim Gartner - Kindsersley-Biggar

  • Khushdil "Lucky" Mehrok - Regina South Albert

  • Blaine McLeod - Lumsden-Morse

  • Megan Patterson - Moose Jaw Wakamow

  • Darlene Rowden - Batoche

  • Laura Ross - Regina Rochdale

  • David Chan - Yorkton

  • James Thorsteinson - Cut Knife-Turtleford

  • Rahul Singh - Regina Northeast

  • Riaz Ahmad - Regina Coronation Park

  • Ghislaine McLeod - Saskatoon University-Sutherland

  • Jamie Martens - Martensville-Blairmore

  • Maureen Alice Torr - Saskatoon Meewasin

  • Barret Kropf - Dakota-Arm River

  • John Owojori - Saskatoon Southeast

  • Mike Weger - Weyburn-Bengough

  • Brad Crassweller - White City-Qu’appelle

  • Greg Seib - Cumberland

  • Parminder Singh - Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis

  • Nicole Rancourt - Prince Albert Northcote

  • Joan Pratchler - Regina Rochdale

  • Betty Nippi-Albright - Saskatoon Centre

  • Aleana Young - Regina South Albert

  • Trent Wotherspoon - Regina Mount Royal

  • Nicole Sarauer - Regina Douglas Park

  • Meara Conway - Regina Elphinstone Centre

  • Matt Love - Saskatoon Eastview

  • Nathaniel Teed - Saskatoon Meewasin

  • Erika Ritchie - Saskatoon Nutana

  • Vicki Mowat - Saskatoon Fairview

  • Jordan McPhail - Cumberland

  • Melissa Patterson - Moose Jaw Wakamow

  • Bhajan Brar - Regina Pasqua

  • Tammy Pike - Martensville-Blairmore

  • Darcy Warrington - Saskatoon Stonebridge

  • Tajinder Grewal - Saskatoon University-Sutherland

  • Carolyn Brost-Strom - Prince Albert Carlton

  • Keith Jorgenson - Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood

  • Noor Burki - Regina Coronation Park

  • Jared Clarke - Regina Walsh Acres

  • Jacqueline Roy - Regina Northeast

  • Brenda Edel - Rosetown-Delisle

  • Tom Kroczynski - The Battlefords

  • Don McBean - Saskatoon Chief Mistiwasis

  • Grady Birns - White City-Qu'Appelle

  • Lenore Pinder - Yorkton

  • Lorne Schroeder - Kelvington-Wadena

  • Thera Nordal - Last Mountain-Touchwood

  • Cheantelle Fisher - Moose Jaw North

  • Kim Breckner - Saskatoon Riversdale

  • Alana Wakula - Saskatoon Willowgrove

  • Trina Miller - Batoche

  • Sally Housser - Regina University

  • Wynn Fedorchuk - Canora-Pelly

  • Mike Tapola - Wood River

  • April ChiefCalf - Saskatoon Westview

  • Hugh Gordon - Saskatoon Silverspring

  • Brent Blakley - Regina Wascana Plains

  • Miles Nachbaur - Meadow Lake