Trudeau in Sask., discusses resources controversy, grocery rebate, budget

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke about the cost of living and held a town hall meeting on the budget, during a visit to Regina on Thursday.

Trudeau met with families and employees at a Sherwood Co-op FoodStorein Harbour Landingto discuss the new grocery rebate included in this year's federal budget. It's estimated the one-time payment would help about 11 million low- and modest-income Canadians.

"We hope all parliamentarians will do the right thing and help us pass legislation quickly, with the new grocery rebate, so Canadians can get the needed support as soon as possible," Trudeau said during the media event.

Nearly $2.5 billion was earmarked in the 2023 federal budget for the rebate, which would be distributedthrough the goods and services tax credit mechanism, according to the budget. Eligible couples with two children could receive as much as$467; individuals without children could get up to$234; and seniors could receive about $225.

The federal government expects single parents particularly mothers and single seniors will be the main beneficiaries of the rebate, according to the budget's impact assessment.

Trudeau also participated in a town hall at the First Nations University of Canada in the afternoon, answering questions from students and otherresidents.

Some of the issues raised included the cost of living, child care and education, the war in Ukraine, Indigenous languages and missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

Theprime minister's visit comes in the wake of Trudeau accusing the premiers of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba of misinterpreting remarks by federal Justice Minister David Lametti on whether Ottawa might review the Natural Resources Transfer Agreements (NRTAs), which give those provinces control of natural resources.

The Prairiepremiers are furiousLametti said he "commits to looking" at suchagreements.

The comment came after First Nation chiefs called on Lametti to rescind the 1930 Natural Resource Transfer Actat the Assembly of First Nations meeting in Ottawa.

On Thursday, Trudeau said the federal government will not be changing the NRTAs. Instead, he urged provincial governments to work with Indigenous peoples on economic partnerships.

No meeting with Moe

The prime minister's visit excluded a meeting with SaskatchewanPremier Scott Moe.

"We were looking at trying to meet with him this afternoon," Trudeau said while on CBC Radio's The Morning Edition.Hediscussed topics includingaffordability, resource control and divisions between Saskatchewan's government and the federal government.

"Unfortunately he's out of town apparently, but I'm always happy to meet with him."

WATCH |Prime Minister talks budget, mineral rights and more on The Morning Edition:

Justin Trudeau talks budget, mineral rights and more on CBC Radio's The Morning Edition

2 years ago

Duration 11:16

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's visit to Saskatchewan comes in the wake of the Prairie premiers blasting Canada's justice minister comments about natural resources control. Trudeau tells CBC Radio's The Morning Edition host Stefani Langenegger his visit doesn't include a meeting with Saskatchewan's Premier Scott Moe.

Moe hadmeetings in his constituency and the Prince Albertarea Thursday, according to an emailed statement from the premier's press secretary.

"Yesterday, [the] Prime Minister's Office did provide notification he would be in Regina today," the press secretary said. "Premier Moe then requested a meeting to discuss Minister Lametti's comments, clean electricity standards and potential regulations and infrastructure funding."

The Prime Minister's Office indicated that Trudeau would only have time for a "pull-aside" at one of his events, they said, adding the premier will aim to haveameeting withsufficient time to discuss issues in the future.