Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he intends to make the most of a “renewed” relationship with Ottawa as the First Ministers Meeting in Saskatoon next month inches closer.

“There are some today that say we shouldn’t deal with the Liberal government; we shouldn’t deal with Prime Minister Carney. Well, fact of the matter is, he is the prime minister of our nation, and we must deal with the federal government,” Moe told reporters during a news conference Thursday.

Earlier this week, Moe shared a letter he sent to the prime minister – outlining 10 policy changes that he says would reset Ottawa’s relationship with Saskatchewan.

They include a push for negotiations with China to remove tariffs on Canadian agricultural projects and strengthening the criminal code through bail reform and the introduction of stronger penalties to fight against street drugs, among others.

During his availability, Moe described his government’s tone in the past as “responsive in nature” due to the lack of consultation with the provincial government on policies such as the carbon tax and impact assessment act.

He reiterated that his government is ready to work with the federal government following a decade of “increasingly strained” relations with Ottawa.

“We have to give this an opportunity to succeed,” Moe said. “We have to ensure that we are providing every opportunity for Saskatchewan to succeed. That’s my job as premier and leader of our party.”

‘A broken promise’

NDP leader Carla Beck says with the end of the spring session Thursday comes a broken promise from Moe.

“Six times this week we have pushed for a vote on my act to keep Saskatchewan in Canada bill and every time the Sask. Party has blocked the vote,” Beck said while also speaking to reporters Thursday morning.

The NDP’s bill was intended to introduce legislation to amend referendum and plebiscite rules, making it more difficult for those attempting to move forward a plan to separate Saskatchewan from Canada with a referendum vote.

Moe has repeatedly said he is not in favour of separation and will not suppress particular voices within the province.

“I truly believe there is an opportunity for Saskatchewan to grow and prosper within a united Canada,” Moe noted during his news conference.

“We’re not looking to take Saskatchewan people’s voice away. We’re talking about this topic today, but it could be any topic in two years or three years, and people need to have a voice in between elections.”

Moe continued, saying the current criteria to trigger a referendum is already quite burdensome.

“You know, 15 per cent is a very onerous number to begin with, and it’s a piece of legislation that hasn’t been altered for close to 30-40, years now,” he noted.

Moe has argued that the topic of separation is only being discussed within the legislature’s walls due to the NDP repeatedly making it an issue.

“I’ve said many times I don’t believe in the strong man argument that there’s only two options, separation or the status quo. I believe there is another option,” he added, referring to cooperation with Ottawa and policy changes at the federal level.

Beck said that even causal talk of separation can have devastating consequences.

“There is no better example than the Bank of Montreal (BMO) now headquartered in Toronto,” Beck said. “And all of this talk of separating and breaking up this country comes at the worst possible moment. At a time when we face threats to our economy and to our sovereignty.”

Beck said with a new prime minister there is now a shared desire with Saskatchewan to build pipelines, rail lines and power lines along nation building projects.

“We see a shared desire to build and make this country work from cost to coast to coast.”

Beck said the Saskatchewan NDP is focused on getting things built using that consensus, while she claims the Sask. Party is not.

“Instead, we see a government and a premier that are more focused on appeasing separatists, possibly in their own ranks, and defending their decision to allow taxpayer dollars to flow to Donald Trump and his allies,” Beck said.

She added the NDP is worried the Sask. Party will spend time placating separatists and paving the way for a vote on Saskatchewan leaving Canada now that spring sitting at the legislature is done.

“This is a time when leaders on all levels should be focused on bringing people together right across this beautiful country, not focused on tearing things apart.”