Prabha Ramaswamy, CEO, Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce

Global needs are surging. Populations are growing, trade barriers are tightening and an ever-changing tariff landscape is presenting an opportunity to re-evaluate supply chains. At the recent Food, Fuel, Fertilizer Global Summit in Regina, one conviction stood out: Saskatchewan is seizing the opportunity to shape the future, strengthening Canada’s trade leadership from coast to coast.

The world’s growing hunger

The summit underscored a critical reality: in a world craving stability, Saskatchewan delivers certainty. Over the next 40 years, global food production must match all that humanity produced in the last 10,000 years. Saskatchewan, exporting to over 160 countries in 2024 – with eight markets exceeding $1 billion – is well-positioned to meet this challenge. Our grain feeds nations, our oil powers industries, our potash sustains global agriculture. Yet, with trade volatility rising, the opportunity to expand exports and value-added processing has never been more urgent.

Clearing the roadblocks

The two-day discussions revealed a shared frustration: Canada’s regulatory framework is impeding progress. Redundant measures, such as Bills C-69 and C-48, delay projects and deter investment. Businesses called for streamlined approvals, provincial authority and accelerated timelines through concurrent reviews. The consensus was clear: ambiguous processes stifle opportunity and cost jobs. Government must prioritize a business-focused approach, reducing taxes, curbing labour disruptions and demonstrating – through signals like a 20-year infrastructure plan – that Canada is open for investment.

Infrastructure is synonymous with opportunity

Opportunity emerged as a prominent theme at the summit, alongside a stark gap: our ports, rail lines and pipelines fall short of growth needs. Leaders identified a transformative opportunity in modernizing an East-West trade corridor – vital for delivering grain, oil and critical minerals to Europe and the Indo-Pacific, where demand is rising. Expanding capacity to new ports beyond Vancouver is no longer optional – it is necessary to outmaneuver tariff pressures and secure global markets.

Businesses are stepping up

While government tackles barriers, businesses are charging ahead. At the summit, leaders urged companies to diversify markets and Canadianize supply chains. By leveraging automation and collaborating with post-secondary institutions, businesses can unlock opportunities to address labour shortages. Long-term contracts were also highlighted as a tool to stabilize volatile markets. These conversations served as a reminder that while policy sets the stage, businesses keep the momentum going.

A defining moment for Canada

This summit was a call to action. Canada is at a crossroads and Saskatchewan’s position is firm: we must rally our allies, resolve trade disputes and reject restrictions that undermine our energy leadership. After all, North American energy dominance hinges on North contribution.

We are not envisioning a distant future – we are building it today. The summit identified opportunities to fortify Canada’s foundation, and in the coming weeks, we will be sharing a comprehensive report outlining policy recommendations to transform these opportunities into tangible outcomes.

The course has been charted, but it will take a collective effort – from industry, government and communities alike – to drive lasting impact. Together, we can harness this moment to achieve a legacy of prosperity for Canada.