As oil prices plunged yesterday the province’s Minister of Energy and Resources issued a statement indicating now more than ever the federal government needs to deliver substantial supports for the Canadian energy sector in order to preserve existing jobs and the production of Canadian oil.

Bronwyn Eyre says the Saskatchewan government has decreased its reliance on oil and gas royalty revenue from about ten per cent of total revenue to five per cent right now but she points out that thousands of jobs continue to depend on the economic health of the industry.

The Ministry of Energy and Resources estimates production shut-ins and turndowns this spring between 20 and 30 per cent due in large part to the lack of travel because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia.