Sask. premier prefers to focus on promising economic trends in 'State of the Province' speech
Taking the stage in a city that has been the province's hotspot during COVID-19's fourth wave, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe delivered his "State of the Province" speech.
Last week Moe revealed some ICU patients would be transferred to Ontario to help relieve pressure on Saskatchewan's healthcare system and miltary help was announced for the province over the weekend.
Moe, while acknowledging the province is finding its "way through what's been a very, very tough fourth wave of COVID-19," signaled he wanted to focus on positive economic trends.
"The progress that we're seeing as we deal with significant challenges in this global pandemic," Moe said.
The keynote address at a Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce luncheon comes ahead of Moe's forthcoming throne speech scheduled for Wednesday.
Before he started his speech, Moe joked that he's "still struggling on when to shake hands and when not to shake hands" as Nutrien CEO Mayo Schmidt wrapped up the premier's introduction and handed off the podium.
Moe began by praising Schmidt's recent appointment to the potash giant's top job before pivoting to the pandemic and the challenges it has posed for businesses.
"We're living through a lot in a very short period of time, it hasn't been easy," Moe said.
He thanked health-care workers and reiterated his stance that unvaccinated people are responsible for the current COVID-19 surge in Saskatchewan.
Moe also referenced calls for limits on gathering sizes to help lower the number of new cases and stave off a potential winter surge in cases as more people spend time indoors.
Moe said he didn't think it would be right to impose "sweeping restrictions or sweeping orders" on those who have "done the right thing" by getting vaccinated.
The Premier spent the bulk of his speech trumpeting positive economic stories.
"I think we should all be focused on our future as we find our way to better days," Moe said at one point.
New canola crushing plants in Regina, a resurgent forestry sector and the success of Saskatchewan technology firms were among Moe's highlights as he made his case why "this coming decade will be Saskatchewan's decade."
The premier got a chuckle from the audience at one point when he alluded to a forthcoming "helium action plan" to help the industry grow in the province.
"I just want be clear I'm not announcing that program today, I'm just going to float that trial balloon out there and see how it goes."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Humboldt Broncos bus crash survivor qualifies Canada for Paralympics in rowing event
Former Humboldt Broncos goaltender and bus crash survivor Jacob Wassermann has qualified Canada for a rowing event for the 2024 Paralympic games in Paris.
Baby boom amongst nurses leads to maternity ward closure in Listowel, Ont.
The emergency room at Listowel’s hospital is open today, but come summer, their obstetrics unit will be temporarily closing its delivery rooms.
George Washington family secrets revealed by DNA from unmarked 19th century graves
Genetic analysis has shed light on a long-standing mystery surrounding the fates of U.S. President George Washington's younger brother Samuel and his kin.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
'We won't forget': How some Muslims view Poilievre's stance on Israel-Hamas war
A spokesman for a regional Muslim advocacy group says Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's stance on the Israel-Hamas war could complicate his party's relationship with Muslim Canadians.
Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.