The provincial government is calling COP28—the United Nations two-week climate conference—a major success for Saskatchewan.

A government news release quotes Premier Scott Moe as saying “it truly was a one-stop shop where the sole focus of all things was Saskatchewan,” specifically mentioning valued industries like energy, mining and agriculture.

The province had its own pavilion which hosted more than 50 panel discussions and events. Several letters of intent were signed on clean energy, nuclear cooperation, energy innovation and regenerative agriculture.

The conference cost Saskatchewan taxpayers $765,000—not to mention another $238,00 to advertise the pavilion on subways and airports around Dubai.

The provincial NDP raised questions about the cost and the guest list. Some members of the Saskatchewan delegation were from out-of-province, including the University of Guelph and a Calgary-based law firm.