SASKATOON — Premier Scott Moe said Saskatchewan government officials have continuously talked with their federal counterparts on immigration as they study the possible impact of the federal government’s recent immigration changes on the province.
Moe commented following the recent changes announced on Monday, Aug. 26, by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reduce temporary foreign workers as part of the federal government's plan for immigration changes.
“We haven't looked into exactly how the restrictions will impact Saskatchewan. Our provincial model is based on many people’s strengths. Immigration is a pillar of this province, and accepting people to move to Saskatchewan is why we have 1.2 million people today,” said Moe.
“And so we haven't looked at the most recent announcement the federal government has made. However, we've been discussing several topics related to economically focused immigration in the province with them.”
Saskatchewan’s unemployment rate is 5.40 per cent, compared to 5.70 in April this year. It was 5.10 in July last year and is lower than the long-term average of 5.86. It ballooned to 11.20 per cent on June 30, 2020, as businesses had to lay off workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moe said the province has the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program, or the SINP, the temporary worker program, and the program for students who relocate to the province to continue their studies.
“For all three, we've been in discussion with them [Federal government]; I won't comment on the most recent changes. However, I would say more broadly that we need to work together to ensure that we focus on economic immigration that benefits all of Saskatchewan,” said Moe.
“They did talk about a fourth stream at our most recent Council of Federation meeting, which the premier of Quebec brought up. That stream concerns asylum seekers, of whom they have received an inordinate number in the province of Quebec.”
He added that immigration issues, like asylum seekers, are a conversation that provinces need to have in communities. They must continue working with the federal government to ensure each program's parameters, focus, and intents achieve its goals.
“There are those four streams that we've been part of that discussion on, and I think we need to have an ongoing debate to ensure that the focus and what we're trying to achieve in each of those programs related to immigration are being achieved,” said Moe.
