Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe speaks during an interview on the sidelines of the Canada Strong and Free Network annual conference in Ottawa, on April 11.Spencer Colby/The Canadian Press
Nevin Markwart is a former Boston Bruins player, former Saskatchewan Party candidate and global asset manager who resides in Regina.
For some time, the Premier of Saskatchewan’s message has been, at best, perplexing. There have been moments where Scott Moe hasn’t been aligned, not only with the majority of Saskatchewan people or his peers, but even with his own party.
I am Regina-born and -bred, and left the province to play professional hockey with the Boston Bruins when I was 18. I raised a family and led financial industry firms in Boston, Toronto and Calgary before returning home to Saskatchewan. I am a member of the Saskatchewan Party and ran in a Regina constituency by-election two years ago.
Like most Canadians, I have been troubled by the decisions of our federal government, which have fanned the flames of separatism in the West. However, I am also worried about Mr. Moe’s seeming unwillingness to condemn grassroots organizations dedicated to Western separation as they cropped up across the Prairies. In tandem with appearing alongside Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to speak at separatist promoter Preston Manning’s recent convention, I wondered if Mr. Moe, too, was tacitly endorsing – or at least not actively countering – the rising separatist sentiments in Western Canada.
In fact, Mr. Moe’s historical unwillingness to cooperate with the federal government or condemn separatist sentiments could be interpreted as contrary to one of the Saskatchewan Party’s eight founding principles: “The constant improvement of Saskatchewan’s economic and social conditions within a strong and united Canada.”
I believe that keeping Saskatchewan willingly aligned with the rest of Canada is in everybody’s best interests. Former premier Brad Wall passionately argued in national and global forums that Saskatchewan’s success, especially in leveraging our vast natural resources, is key to strengthening health care, education and other critical infrastructure at home and across the country.
Our province is landlocked; independence is not in our future and should never be our goal. Erasing Saskatchewan’s border with Alberta benefits no one, leaving our only separation option an unholy, unstable alliance with the U.S.
That’s why it was such a relief to see and hear a marked change in the Premier‘s language and demeanour earlier this month. Mr. Moe has finally indicated clearly – publicly, as well as on the Legislative record – that he supports Saskatchewan staying in a “strong and united Canada,” standing apart from the United States. I would like to commend him for coming to the realization that the Saskatchewan Party’s principle of constant improvement of our province within Canada requires continuing, mature collaboration from all sides of the governance table.
As part of that commitment, it is critical that Saskatchewan repair its relationship with the presiding Liberal government in Ottawa. Mr. Moe’s stubborn defiance of federal policies was largely communicated via ad hominem attacks on the former prime minister and his office. This left no room for discussion of Saskatchewan’s legitimate concerns about its place in Confederation, or for that communication to translate into improved federal policy to benefit Saskatchewan.
Mr. Moe has a great opportunity to put forward a strong vision for Saskatchewan and the country next month, during the meeting between Mr. Carney and the premiers in Saskatoon. More than ever in its history, Canada needs leaders who are willing to lean forward and walk side-by-side with purpose. Leaders who build bridges, even over troubled waters. Clear-eyed and concise leaders who set an example for their followers, instead of using ambiguity to create chaos and instill fear.
Over the course of the last decade, both Saskatchewan’s government and the federal Liberals did their level best to foster hatred for each other through legal challenges and back-and-forth public criticism. This has framed Saskatchewan as a victim of – not united with – Canada.
Our national anthem rings out before every NHL game involving Canadian teams, representing the pride and ownership each one of us has for our country. I had the privilege of standing at centre ice hundreds of times, hearing fans sing it loud, from the historic Montreal Forum to arenas across Canada and the United States. Regardless of which country I was in, my heart swelled, every time. Saskatchewan is an essential part of this country and must always have Canada’s back.