Sask. premier, industry leaders, highlight nuclear energy among tariff concerns

CTV News

5 days ago

As Hallee Mandryk tells us, Premier Moe answered questions alongside industry leaders about the importance of nuclear energy amid U.S. tariffs.
The future of nuclear energy in the midst of a trade war proved to be a particularly timely discussion at the Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC) Tuesday morning.
Lawmakers from four provinces and eleven states have gathered in Saskatoon for the annual event, and the 'Fueling North America's Energy Sector' panel featured industry leaders and lawmakers discussing the future of energy.
'[There's] no better place to have that broader, longer-term discussion on our collective energy security. We will find our way through this trade tariff discussion. I'm concerned that it's going to get tougher before it gets better,' Premier Scott Moe told media following the panel.
'But we need to find our way through it so that we can get back to doing what we do best, and that's trade with products north and south of the 49th parallel.'
Much of the panel was spent discussing how North America is shifting towards nuclear energy. Cameco CEO Tim Gitzel was also on the panel, and shared how while the tariffs are a barrier, they are not a roadblock.
'We know we need electricity whether there's tariffs or not. The world and North America needs a lot more electricity, and so we continue to work on that. And, we're getting great cooperation between Canada and the U.S. on nuclear electricity, and so we'll continue,' Gitzel said.
While Canada/U.S. relations have been strained since President Donald Trump imposed tariffs, the conference provided an opportunity for officials on both sides of the border to discuss the relationship between the two countries.
'For many of us, it's been embarrassing ... kind of horrific knowing that for years I've spent my whole life 60 years we have seen Canada as a very close ally,' Ann Johnson Stewart, a state senator from Minnesota said.
'Many of my friends are from Canada. We go to Canada. You know, I live in Minnesota, so I really appreciated what [the] premier said about we just need to push forward.'
The state senator highlighted that this conference is an opportunity to build cross border relationships away from the shadow of the White House.
'We need to get back to ignoring the politics and ridiculous things coming out of Washington and work forward towards more collaboration, especially around energy. Johnson Stewart added.
Both industry leaders and politicians agreed that the demand for energy is as important as ever, thanks to the rise of new technology such as artificial intelligence – which requires an immense amount of electricity.
'You need baseload 24/7 reliable power – and that's got to be hydro or nuclear or gas and so we're going to need all of the above,' Gitzel said.
The discussion highlighted a desire for nuclear energy not only in Saskatchewan – but also for North America to become the main producer of nuclear technology and fuel for other nations.
'This is what makes free and free and fair trade between Canada and the U.S. such an advantage for us when it comes to determining our own future with energy security or general security,' Moe noted.
'[But it] also provides us with the opportunity then to cost effectively export this type of technology to places like Western Europe where they're trying to move away from Russian reactors.'