Sask. legislators set to start spring session on Monday

The Saskatchewan Legislature can be seen in this file photo. (David Prisciak/CTV News)

The cogs of provincial governance will once again be in motion, as MLAs return to the legislature Monday.

The spring sitting of Saskatchewan’s legislature will begin March 2, kicking off 44 days of debate and legislative proceedings. The first major hurdle for the government will be budget day, slated for March 18.

In a meeting with business leaders in Saskatoon last week, Premier Scott Moe said he intends to continue funding essential services with borrowed money for the time being - with no plans to hike taxes or seek significant cuts to government programming.

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Moe has, however, hinted that there may be savings to find by incorporating new technologies, including through expanding the use of virtual care in the province’s health system.

Saskatchewan has been hit hard by Chinese tariffs on Canadian canola products. However, China announced on Friday it was suspending it’s 100 per cent levies on canola meal and pea imports in addition to halting its 25 per cent tariffs on lobster and crab imports.

The announcement came after a recent visit by Moe and Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Moe has said more work needs to be done to get Chinese tariffs removed from Canadian canola oil and pork.

Moe is currently on a trade mission in India with the prime minister.

Speaking before his departure last week, Moe managed expectations while expressing hope the trip would reinvigorate trade discussions with the South Asian nation of 1.4 billion people.

In October of last year, India imposed a 30 per cent tariff on Canadian Yellow Peas. The nation has also imposed a 10 per cent levy on Canadian lentils.

Moe has warned the lentil tariff might actually be increased - stemming from domestic agricultural prices.

-With files from Keenan Sorokan and The Canadian Press

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