The Saskatchewan government is defending its expenditure of over $850,000 for trade consulting services in the upcoming fiscal year, including a contract with a firm associated with former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. These contracts are stated to operate in conjunction with the province's existing international trade offices. The government asserts these external firms provide crucial advocacy and support for Saskatchewan's engagement with the U.S. federal government, securing meetings and planning missions for provincial leaders.
SHIFTING WINDS AND CONSULTANT COFFERS
Saskatchewan's trade and export minister maintains that the province's established trade offices in China, India, and the United Arab Emirates are performing admirably, even as consultants are simultaneously engaged for these same markets. These markets represent significant export destinations for Saskatchewan, with China and India being the second and third largest, respectively.
QUESTIONS LINGER OVER CONTRACT DETAILS
The opposition NDP has raised concerns, particularly regarding a contract worth approximately $240,000 annually with Stephen Harper's consulting company over the past four years. The party sought further details through a freedom of information request, but significant portions of the contract documentation, including the description of services rendered, remain heavily redacted.
FUNDING CONTROVERSIES AND POLITICAL TIES
Further complicating matters, allegations have surfaced that a firm paid with Saskatchewan taxpayer money has been involved in funding political campaigns linked to Donald Trump and his allies. Donations totaling $30,000 were made to the National Republican Senatorial Committee in 2024, alongside contributions to the Fund For America’s Future PAC, which supports conservative economic policies aligned with Trump. This practice has drawn sharp criticism, with concerns raised about taxpayer funds supporting movements perceived as detrimental to the Canadian economy and sovereignty.