Premier Moe addresses Prince Albert business community

Moe then went on to explain that despite these challenges, the government kept a balanced budget and protected both its capital investments and the services it has promised to Saskatchewan residents.

After Friday’s business luncheon in Prince Albert, Premier Scott Moe was asked what the government is doing to protect businesses during these uncertain times. Moe pointed to investments such as health care. @PremierScottMoe @princealbertnow @CKBI @Power99fm pic.twitter.com/k5F9P3ApyF

— Nigel Maxwell (@NigelMaxwell) March 27, 2026

A question and answer period guided by Chamber CEO Patty Hughes covered a range of topics, including labour shortages that have been felt across a number of sectors including retail, health care and the trades.

Reiter referred first to the government’s partnerships with advanced education. The budget provides for the addition of 300 skills trades seats for a total of 5,300 seats province wide. Reiter cited the impact from the BHP Jansen Mine project.

“Just the number of skills trades they’re gonna be absorbing, is creating a shortage across the province so we’re gonna have to not only be recruiting people, we’re gonna have to be training people,” he said.

Reiter noted a demographic issue baby bookers with still retiring, the groups coming up are smaller. He added another challenge is providing basic skills such as students whose first language may not be English.

Premier Moe noted that despite the global uncertainty happening around the world, Saskatchewan has over 60 private sector projects on the go worth over $62 billion. This includes both the Jansen mine, a new data center outside Regina and value added agriculture facilities.

“So this is an unprecedented time for us when it comes to growth,” he said.

(Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/paNOW Staff)

On the question of how the budget can provide comfort to businesses dealing with crime and vandalism, Moe said the government is focused on removing drugs from all communities.

“We are no longer to make it all right to be using drugs, dealing drugs, or having drugs anywhere near a Saskatchewan community,” he said, adding prior to enforcing, they need to provide recovery opportunities for people who have mental health challenges.

The budget includes over $23 million for targeted investments that will create about 200 more addiction treatment and recovery spaces in multiple Saskatchewan locations, and expand resources, access to mental health, and addictions support.

This year’s budget dedicates a $9.6 million funding increase to support a Recovery-Oriented System of Care, which strengthens the focus on treatment and recovery by developing and expanding options to better meet the needs of people working toward recovery. Moe also pointed to an investment by the province to add nearly 200 new RCMP and municipal police officers.

The provincial NDP have been calling on the government to do away with the fuel tax, stating this measure can provide some relief to families struggling with the cost of living. And this was also raised by the Chamber CEO, noting an impact on businesses.

Reiter reiterated the fuel tax provides a reliable revenue stream that pays for improvements and upgrades to the province’s roads and highways.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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by Nigel Maxwell

Premier Moe addresses Prince Albert business community

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