Alec Salloum
Regina Leader-Post
As the Saskatchewan government looks to buy local wherever possible in response to tariffs, the province also cautions it’s not always that simple.
Cancelling active contracts with U.S.-based companies would present “challenges,” said Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement David Marit on April 1. “Some of the contracts, there isn’t a Saskatchewan company that provides that service, one way or another. Maybe not even a Canadian one.”
But the flow of criticism from the Opposition NDP remains strong as the uncertainty of the U.S.-Canada trade war continues to grind on.
The Opposition honed in on a particular deal with LifeLabs, a laboratory diagnostic service contracted by the government and acquired by a U.S. company some 10 months ago.
During question period on Thursday, NDP Leader Carla Beck flagged the “New Jersey” based company and asked Minister of Health Jeremy Cockrill if he will “stand by the promise to seek out providers at home?”
Cockrill said patient care was front of mind as contracts were reviewed. Although that process is ongoing, it’s easier said than done to decouple Canada from the U.S.
“It goes to show how integrated supply chains are in many sectors, including health care,” he added.
NDP ethics and democracy critic Meara Conway noted LifeLabs has donated approximately $30,000 to the Saskatchewan Party since 2016, when the company first signed a contract worth more than $60 million for laboratory services in Regina and Saskatoon.
“Not a bad deal for them,” noted Conway, implying that donations contributed to the government contract.
Cockrill said political contributions “have no bearing” on how the province delivers contracts, which elicited a chiding response from the Opposition.
“That member chooses to rise in this house and make accusations that are not true,” said Cockrill, referring to Conway.
“I’ve simply stated the facts,” she replied. “If he doesn’t like the facts, then they shouldn’t do it.”
In addition to being based in America, Conway said the company that acquired LifeLabs donates to the U.S. Republican Party.
“Can someone, anyone over there, tell me why does this Saskatchewan government, this premier, continue to put the interests of their donors and their fringe MAGA (Make America Great Again) fan club over the interests of Saskatchewan?” Conway asked before Speaker Todd Goudy ruled her question out of order.
Outside of the legislative assembly, Conway said the contract awarded to LifeLabs was a “failure” on the part of the government as it’s “an example of them privatizing aspects of our beloved public health-care system.”
The contract expired on April 1, but Cockrill explained that the agreement included three one-year extension clauses. He also noted that “the contract has not been renewed. It has been extended for one year.”
Cockrill said talks with LifeLabs are ongoing but emphasized the need for caution as the Canadian and U.S. economies are so intertwined. For example: the majority of anesthetics used in Saskatchewan come from south of the border, he noted.
Cockrill didn’t rule out the possibility of the province taking over lab services again in the future.
“Anything’s possible but you know, again, I can’t emphasize enough, it’s about continuity of service,” he said.
This week, the NDP also raised questions about a U.S. company that handles online campsite booking at provincial parks as well as the Hunting, Angling and Trapping License (HAL) system. The contract is up for renewal at the end of this year, while the HAL system is up in 2027.
The government recently stated that its plan in response to U.S. tariffs includes a directive to: “Promote the use of Canadian or non-US goods and services wherever feasible” and to “explore alternative suppliers to reduce reliance on US products.”
