Trudeau in Saskatchewan, discusses controversy over resources, grocery discount and budget

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke about the cost of living and held a town hall on the budget during a visit to Regina on Thursday.

Trudeau met with families and employees of a Sherwood Co-op FoodStore in Harbor Landing to discuss the new grocery discount included in this year’s federal budget. It is estimated that the one-time payment would help approximately 11 million low- and modest-income Canadians.

“We hope that all parliamentarians will do the right thing and help us pass legislation quickly, with the new grocery reimbursement, so that Canadians can get the support they need as soon as possible,” Trudeau said during the interview. the media event.

Nearly $2.5 billion has been allocated to the 2023 federal budget for the refund, which would be distributed through the goods and services tax credit mechanism, depending on the budget. Eligible couples with two children could receive up to $467; people without children could receive up to $234; and seniors could receive about $225.

The federal government expects single parents, especially mothers and single seniors, to be the main beneficiaries of the refund, according to budget impact analysis.

Trudeau also participated in a town hall at the First Nations University of Canada in the afternoon, answering questions from students and other residents.

Some of the issues raised included the cost of living, childcare and education, the war in Ukraine, Indigenous languages, and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

The prime minister’s visit comes after Trudeau accused the premiers of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba of misinterpreting remarks by federal Justice Minister David Lametti on whether Ottawa could review the Natural Resource Transfer Agreements (NRTAs), which give these provinces control over natural resources.

Prairie premiers are furious. Lametti said he is “committed to reviewing” such deals.

The comment came after First Nations chiefs called on Lametti to repeal the Natural Resources Transfer Act of 1930 at the Assembly of First Nations meeting in Ottawa.

On Thursday, Trudeau said the federal government would not change the NRTAs. Instead, he urged provincial governments to work with Indigenous peoples on economic partnerships.

No meeting with Moe

The Prime Minister’s visit excluded a meeting with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.

“We’re looking at trying to meet him this afternoon,” Trudeau said on a CBC radio show. The morning editionHe discussed topics such as affordability, resource control and divisions between the Saskatchewan government and the federal government.

“Unfortunately, he’s out of town apparently, but I’m always happy to meet him.”

WATCH | The Prime Minister talks about the budget, mining rights and more on The morning edition:

Justin Trudeau talks budget, mining rights and more on CBC Radio’s The Morning Edition

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to Saskatchewan comes after prairie premiers criticized comments by Canada’s justice minister over control of natural resources. Trudeau told Stefani Langenegger, host of CBC Radio The Morning Edition, that his visit did not include a meeting with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe.

Moe had meetings in his riding and around Prince Alberta on Thursday, according to an emailed statement from the premier’s press secretary.

“Yesterday, [the] The Prime Minister’s Office has been advised that he will be in Regina today,” the press secretary said. “Premier Moe then requested a meeting to discuss Minister Lametti’s comments, clean electricity standards and potential regulations and infrastructure funding.

The Prime Minister’s Office indicated that Trudeau would only have time for a “gap” at one of his events, they said, adding that the Prime Minister would endeavor to have enough time to discuss problems in the future.