REGINA - Opposition Leader Carla Beck has offered her congratulations to Mark Carney and the Liberals on their election win.
But in remarks at a news conference at the Legislature, Beck made it known she thought words were not enough, and that action was required from the federal government on priorities important to Saskatchewan.
“Today, Canada has a different House of Commons. And now Saskatchewan families are expecting - are relying - on action, not just promises from Ottawa,” Beck said.
“There's an opportunity for the federal parties to make things right, and to help build a bright future for our country, and for our province. And that has to start today.”
Becky said her message to Prime Minister Carney was that “Saskatchewan people need more than words.”
“We need real investments, real cooperation, to position Canada to face the challenges and the opportunities that face us.
"We expect to see real action on priorities that matter most to Saskatchewan people," said Beck. Among the priorities she wanted to see was a fair deal on equalization, a renewed commitment to the National Child Care Program, and "swift and effective action to remove Chinese tariffs on canola exports." She also said major investments were needed into infrastructure "to unite our country, and to ensure our self-sufficiency.”
She also called on “all parties, and that includes the Bloc Québécois, to focus on the future of this country,” including “supporting and delivering on nation-building projects like a pipeline to the East Coast.”
Beck also said she was willing to work with the new Liberal MP for Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River, Buckley Belanger, who is a former NDP MLA.
“I did send Buckley congratulations last night. And I wish him well,” Beck said. “And I wish all of those elected last night well in terms of working to find a path to get things done.”
As for their counterparts in the federal NDP, they were decimated on election night. The party lost official status in the House of Commoms and Jagmeet Singh resigned on election night after losing his seat.
Beck said she reached out to Singh and “wished him well, thanked him for his service to the country.”
As for where the federal NDP goes from here, Beck said her focus was on “what needs to be done here.”
“In terms of what any of the federal parties are going to do with their internal conversations, that's really not anything that I'm focused on. I'm focused on making sure that as Canadians, as the leader of the opposition, we find a path that sees the House of Commons work, work with the provinces, work across provincial and party lines, and start delivering for Canadians.”
