75-Minute Debate (5 March 2026)

From Hansard (5 March 2026)

To view this section on video, click here and start play at 12:08:20 PM.

Welcoming Newcomers to Saskatchewan

The Assembly was debating the following motion moved by Aleana Young (NDP - Regina South Albert):

That the Assembly reject the divisive rhetoric from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith regarding the hard-working immigrants and calls on the Government of Saskatchewan to ensure Saskatchewan is a welcoming place for newcomers with quality public services and a growing population.

Mr. Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. The 2026 federal budget acknowledges that in recent years Canada’s immigration system has become harder to manage, less functional, and the pace of arrivals has begun to exceed the country’s capacity to absorb and support newcomers. To the member from Regina Coronation Park: do you agree with the federal government’s assessment?

Noor Burki: — Well thank you very much, member opposite, for a good question. When we’re talking about immigration, yes, it’s a federal portfolio as well and provincial as well. So I think if you both are aligned at one point we can do way better. If you think we are supporting in 2026 immigration, I think we should work very closely with the federal government.

And if you’re talking about Manitoba, they take incentives, they take a deal with the federal government. They are giving extensions of work permits for two years and many other promises they requested. And they get their demand . . . [inaudible] . . . more in the past last year.

We have to make sure to work with coordination of the federal government. There’s no hesitation. If you’re talking about this province, I won’t care who is sitting in the federal. How are we taking care of our province? Well all provincial governments should have to take a stand on that, work for that to make sure we can get the things that we need for our province. Thank you.

---

Back to 2025/2026 Session