Premier Scott Moe is heading home tomorrow (fri) after a week-long trip to Europe, spending time in the United Kingdom and Germany for a trade mission.
During his visit, he spent time in Kassel (castle), Germany where he met with Ukrainian refugees in a warehouse that has temporarily been converted to a shelter for those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.
Moe says most of the 80 to 90 families staying at the facility are mothers, grandmothers and children under the age of 15. The premier said the facility was available as those who work there are working remotely due to COVID-19.
Saskatchewan’s premier says the province doesn’t have a cap on the number of Ukrainian refugees they’re willing to take in
“With respect to affordable housing, we have a significant amount of housing in our Sask. housing department, a significant amount of vacant housing within it, we’d be able to utilize. We have had and the UCC of Saskatchewan is helping us coordinate all of those folks that have come forward, volunteering a room, a house they may have, you know in a farmyard for example.”
Moe says hotels have stepped forward along with construction workers saying some work camps are available to take in refugees if needed.
The premier says university facilities have also been used in the past to provide shelter for those forced from their homes due to wildfires. Post-secondary rooms could potentially be used to help house those fleeing Ukraine during the summer.
Potash was a discussion point on the trade mission.
Moe says Saskatchewan companies are ramping up potash production in light of sanctions that have been imposed on Russian and Belarusian products. Moe says consumers are asking themselves, who they’re buying from, why they’re buying them from certain producers and if they’re a trusted partner.
Premier Moe says Canada and Saskatchewan are that.
“When you think of the answer to that question, Canada and Saskatchewan rank very high, as high as anywhere in the world.”
Moe says Saskatchewan produces the most sustainable potash in the world and the province needs to continue getting that message out.
The premier adds the province is going to take a closer look at the timeline for getting a critical minerals processing plant up and running in Saskatoon. This comes after discussions from those in the U.K. and Germany showed an interest with the facility that’s currently being constructed. It’s expected the new plant will come online next year. Premier Moe says the province will be taking a look at the government’s investment into the facility through the Saskatchewan Research Council.
Moe said another trip to the EU will likely take place in the near future to keep promoting Saskatchewan’s resources including potash.
