by Prabha Ramaswamy, CEO, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

Saskatchewan’s farms and fields are the heart of a $100-billion export powerhouse, feeding 163 countries and powering Canada’s trade. Our province is home to more than 40 per cent of the country’s farmland, hitting a record $18.5-billion in agricultural exports last year alone.

As premiers and Prime Minister Mark Carney gather in Saskatoon for the First Ministers’ Meeting on June 2, one question stands out: will this meeting deliver actual results for Saskatchewan’s agriculture and resource sectors? With fluctuating tariffs putting pressure on Canada’s trade and Saskatchewan hosting this historic gathering – no accident there – an upcoming report from the Chamber, backed by 400 industry leaders and Indigenous representatives, paints a stark picture. This meeting must focus on our global resource leadership, or risk wasting a once-in-a-generation chance to shape Canada’s economic future.

Saskatchewan is the world’s top potash producer, second in uranium, and our oil and gas sector is Canada’s second-largest. While these are key economic drivers, our competitors are moving quickly to grab a bigger share of global potash and uranium markets. They are not mired by the same regulations – including Bills C-69 and C-48 – and they benefit when we do nothing. To stay competitive, we need to eliminate these barriers, starting with repealing this legislation. If we don’t move fast, we will lose our edge, and that’s a failure Canada cannot afford.

The cost of inaction is real. Poor infrastructure decisions are draining Canada’s wealth and shaking investor confidence. Saskatchewan’s grain and potash are stranded without rail and ports – a strong East-West trade corridor is essential to get our exports moving. A recent Statistics Canada infographic underscores just how critical interprovincial trade is to our province’s economy. While Prime Minister Carney’s promise to cut trade barriers by Canada Day is a start, our farmers, exporters and energy workers are counting on real progress. We need clear commitments, not just words.

This meeting is more than just another date on the political calendar. It’s a test of whether governments are ready to help Canada reach its full economic potential, or let other countries move ahead while we fall behind. The stakes go beyond big industry – young entrepreneurs and Indigenous-owned businesses are also ready to grow if governments make space for them to succeed. By giving these groups the tools to expand – access to capital, fewer regulatory delays and better infrastructure – we can unlock the next generation of Canadian business leadership.

So, what does Saskatchewan need from this meeting?

• First, make agriculture a federal priority and give it greater prominence. Restore key relationships in Asia, where demand for our crops and potash is growing.
• Second, eliminate interprovincial trade barriers. Let goods and credentials move more easily across Canada, saving money and “Canadianizing” supply chains.
• Third, prioritize infrastructure and fund a trade corridor. Invest in rail and ports so we can move our products and keep our $100 billion export market strong.
• Fourth, leverage our oil and natural gas resources to strengthen Canada’s energy security.
• Finally, reduce regulatory burdens that paralyze our development and weaken our competitiveness. Let provinces lead project approvals to speed up processes because our competitors aren’t waiting.

The Chamber is ready to work with all levels of government – but our province needs clear, tangible steps to come out of this meeting.

Saskatchewan’s moment is here; this is our shot to lead Canada’s economic future. Picture our potash feeding billions, uranium fueling power systems and oil bridging transitions – all flowing freely to markets like China and India. That’s the Canada we can build if this meeting delivers. The country’s future is on the line, and Saskatchewan is not here to settle for empty handshakes.

It’s go time.