Deputy PM Freeland responds to criticism of fertilizer emissions plan, celebrates potash during Sask. visit

Canada's deputy prime minister and finance minister was in Saskatchewan Wednesday for a visit that included a stop at a potash and phosphate producer and a meeting with the mayor of Saskatoon.

Chrystia Freeland's first stop in Saskatchewan Wednesday morning was a tour of the Mosaic potash facility in Colonsay, southeast of Saskatoon.

Freeland was asked during the tour about criticism around a federal government proposal to reduce fertilizer-related greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent, and the effect such a policy would have on the agriculture industry. 

 "I know a lot of farmers, and I do not know a single farmer who uses more fertilizer than he or she absolutely needs to. Fertilizer is expensive," she said.

She added she has "a lot of confidence in the very good judgment of Canadian farmers" around minimizing fertilizer use.

Some farmers and politicians have raised concerns the federal government's proposal could require reduced fertilizer use, leading to smaller yields and lower income for farmers.

On Twitter last month, Premier Moe accused Ottawa of attacking western Canadian farmers "with an arbitrary goal to reduce fertilizer usage."

The federal government is currently soliciting ideas from farmers on how to reach the 30 per cent greenhouse gas reduction.

Deputy PM champions Sask. potash 

Freeland also recognized Saskatchewan's strong potash industry after touring the Colonsay mine and chatting with workers.

"Farmers around the world depend on our potash, on the potash you see right there, millions and millions of people depend on the work that is being done here, right now, to eat," she said to reporters.

Potash is a key ingredient used in fertilizer to support agricultural operations.

She noted Saskatchewan's potash exports are "more important than ever."

The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the global sanctions that followed have caused major disruptions in the potash supply chain.

​"The work you're doing here is helping the very brave people of Ukraine by providing the world with an alternative to Russian and Belorussian exports," she said.

Saskatchewan has benefited as demand for its potash grows. The change is one reason the province now expects to finish this fiscal year with a $1-billion budget surplus.

• Surging revenues turn projected Sask. deficit into $1B surplus

The province already produces close to one-third of the world's potash, and Freeland said today that she sees "huge economic opportunities" for Saskatchewan's potash industry moving forward.

Mosaic's Colonsay mine had been idle until late last summer because of poor market conditions.

"We're kind of stepping up our production and ramping up. This facility was shut down for a couple of years and we got our workforce back and we're ramping up to meet the market demand," said Dustin Orosz, a manager at Colonsay mine. 

Orosz said the deputy prime minister's visit was an exciting opportunity to recognize the hard workers at the mine and how operations like this can support hundreds of families and support community.

"We really want to get back on the map and help Mosaic and and everyone else in this province make some money and help feed the world," he said. 

Freeland's Saskatchewan stop also included an afternoon meeting with Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark, which was closed to the media. While in Saskatoon, she also visited Baba's Closet, a community organization that supports Ukrainians by supplying school supplies and other essentials.

The deputy prime minister is scheduled to visit Edmonton on Thursday.