Energy and Resources, Bronwyn Eyre

MESSAGE FROM THE SASKATCHEWAN MINISTER OF ENERGY AND RESOURCES BrOnWyn eyre

as saskatchewan’s Minister of energy and resources, I am pleased to join with Premier scott Moe in asserting the key importance of potash to our economy.

the past several months have clearly been a challenge, and my heart goes out to workers and their families who have experienced economic hardship in this and other sectors, particularly as we head into the Christmas and holiday season.

Despite the pandemic and economic uncertainty this past year, which also included a rail blockade and strike, saskatchewan remains one of the top mining jurisdictions in the world and offers a stable regulatory environment, competitive royalty structures, and high-quality geoscience. last year, saskatchewan also retained its standing, according to the fraser Institute, as the most attractive jurisdiction in Canada for mining investment.

as a government, we remain responsive to the mining sector. In the provincial 2020 budget, for example, we reinstated the exemption of the Provincial sales tax (Pst) for exploratory and downhill drilling. I am in personal, regular contact with mining/ potash companies, as well as the saskatchewan Mining association, and advocate for their concerns—including, most recently, over the proposed federal Clean fuel standard regulations, which are expected to have a profoundly negative effect on mining operations.

In saskatchewan, full-year potash sales for 2019 reached 12.3 million tonnes—the second-highest on record. sales for 2020 are expected to set a new record of nearly 14 million tonnes. the pandemic has highlighted the need for a safe, reliable supply chain. and as the global economy begins to recover, saskatchewan has the food, fuel, and fertilizer that the world needs.

saskatchewan has also seen considerable investment and growth in the potash sector over the last decade. export capacity and production have steadily increased and, in Canada, the potash sector accounts for approximately $1 billion in wages annually.

It is also important to mention that throughout the pandemic, we have seen extraordinary generosity—including in the form of monetary and food bank donations, cleaning supplies, and personal protective equipment—on the part of the saskatchewan mining sector to communities and non-profit organizations across the province. on behalf of the Government of saskatchewan, I would like to thank you, as a sector, for your remarkable outreach.

as we move toward economic recovery beyond the pandemic, our government will remain committed to the potash sector. our goals, set out in our 2020-2030 Growth Plan: the Next Decade of Growth, aim to increase export capacity and keep our traditional sectors strong. s