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By Alice McFarlane

Agriculture in the Saskatchewan Throne Speech

Saskatchewan Throne Speech highlights agriculture

Oct 23, 2025 | 2:15 PM

Canola tariffs and previous announcements to support farmers were the agriculture components of the Throne Speech Wednesday.

The tariffs are widely seen as China’s response to Canada placing 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese Electric Vehicles (EV). Many farm groups have called for the EV tariffs to be scrapped, so the canola tariffs will come off as well.

Premier Scott Moe said resolving the issue is ultimately the federal government’s responsibility and Saskatchewan’s role is to support Ottawa in their negotiations with China.

“Is canola a priority for this government? Absolutely,” Moe said. “That’s why there’s one premier in this nation that has been in China in the last six years. That’s why there’s one premier that had a sit-down meeting with the federal Minister of Agriculture, federal Minister of Trade, and the Prime Minister, as well as the canola growing industry, the Canola Growers Association and others, as well as our exporting entities as well across Canada. One Premier has done that, and that’s the Premier of Saskatchewan.”

Moe said it speaks to the priority the government places when it comes to not only the agriculture industry, but export opportunities.

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The Saskatchewan NDP will introduce an emergency motion to push the government to take a clear position on the issue of Chinese EV tariffs. NDP Leader Carla Beck said the Premier changed his position on the issue mid-September and has since stopped calling for the tariffs to be removed.

“The reality is that Saskatchewan farmers haven’t exported a single shipment of canola to China, according to SARM, and the Premier has been slow to respond and missing in action at a time when producers desperately need a champion. They need clarity on this issue,” Beck said. “As I have said before, and will say again, we need the EV tariffs removed, and we need these tariffs to stop crippling producers in this province.”

China’s Ambassador to Canada confirmed tariffs on canola are a direct response to the tariffs on EVs and if the EV tariffs are removed, the canola tariffs would be removed, in turn.

The Throne Speech also stated there are producers who continue to face very dry conditions and the government has made efforts to make programs respond better to those challenges, including changes to Agri-Stability and introducing the 2025 Crown Grazing Lease Reduction Program.

The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act was mentioned as it now will prevent pension plans from holding or buying Saskatchewan farmland, as well as strengthening enforcement rules to ensure compliance and protect communities from foreign ownership.

Changes were also made to the Animal Protection Act to create animal welfare inspector positions to establish a code of conduct for animal protection officers and provide education on animal care.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com