Today, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck introduced a bill called “Keep Saskatchewan in Canada Act” in what she says is an effort to protect jobs and investments, and to bring stability back to Saskatchewan’s economy, at a time of economic uncertainty.

The NDP says Bill 604 is designed to amend the “Referendum and Plebiscite Act” in two ways: first, it would stop the Premier in cabinet from calling a separation referendum without a clear mandate from Saskatchewan voters. Secondly, it would double the threshold for citizen petitions on separation referendums from 15 per cent to 30 per cent of eligible voters.

Beck went on to explain how referendums led by citizens are part of our democratic right, but voting to separate, should meet a high bar because of the serious economic harm it would cause.  She says a referendum on separation from Canada would impact jobs and investments by driving them out of the province and kill infrastructure projects. Even if a referendum on separation is unsuccessful, Beck says it brings a message of instability to investors.

Beck spoke about an example that was brought up at her recent meeting in Alberta. “One of the things we heard a lot recently, was Quebec. When they went through their referendum process around separation, it killed their economy. Those impacts are still being felt today. Capital fled, jobs lost, and their economy has never recovered.  That’s something that I heard loud and clear when I met with energy leaders in Calgary this week.”

The Saskatchewan NDP calls on Premier Moe and the Sask. Party to support the bill and stand up for a strong Saskatchewan within a united Canada.