Canada’s Deputy Prime Minister visited the Saskatoon area Wednesday as part of her summer tour to get quote “out of Ottawa”.

Chrystia Freeland told the media her goal this summer is travel and get outside of the nation’s capital which included a stop at the Mosaic potash mine just outside of Colonsay.  Freeland met with Mosaic employees and had a tour of the facility Wednesday.  It re-opened last August after a two-year closure due to challenging market conditions.

While at the facility, approximately 75 kilometeres southeast of Saskatoon, she was asked about the Saskatchewan government wanting more autonomy when it comes to the process of welcoming Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion back home and are making their way to our province.

Freeland said immigration is important for Canadian society.

“Our government is very supportive of immigration and we, today are working hard with businesses, with unions, with provinces, to get the people here that Canada needs, we’re going to continue to do that.”

She was also asked about Saskatchewan’s healthcare sector which has been plagued by staff shortages as of late and if the federal government will help to address the situation even though healthcare is a provincial responsibility.

“I’m in Saskatchewan, you are the guys who invented medicare. You know how important and how valuable it is. So that is something our government is committed to. We recognize this is a province responsibility and we are always very, very happy to be a partner with our healthcare workers and with provinces and territories to be sure Canadians get the great care they deserve.”

Freeland made no new funding or any additional announcements during her visit to the mine.

The City of Saskatoon meanwhile released their two locations Wednesday of where the new proposed downtown arena could be built. One being the parking lot north of Midtown Plaza on 22nd Street and the second being the City Yards near the Police Station.

Freeland was asked if her meeting with Clark may have had anything to do with the new proposed downtown entertainment district.

The deputy PM said quote “I’m going to let him tell me what he needs and we’ll talk about it.” City Council will review the proposed arena locations during their regular monthly meeting on Monday.

Freeland also visited Baba’s Closet on 51st Street, a community organization that supports Ukrainian families by providing essential items.