MAY 6th, 2025 – The Saskatchewan NDP is under fire after urging Premier Scott Moe to personally intervene and shut down a growing petition calling for a referendum on the province’s independence – a move critics say shows disregard for democracy and open debate.
The petition, initiated by Nadine Ness and her organization Unified Grassroots, invites the provincial government to “negotiate new terms for Saskatchewan’s relationship, whether inside Canada or as an independent nation.” While still in early stages, it has quickly gathered thousands of signatures – a sign that many residents are increasingly frustrated with federal overreach and looking for real alternatives.
Rather than engage with the ideas being raised, NDP Jobs and Economy Critic Aleana Young on Monday demanded that Premier Moe take immediate steps to stop the petition, claiming his reluctance is encouraging “radicals” and invoking even U.S. President Donald Trump in a sweeping criticism.
Deputy Premier Jim Reiter quickly pushed back, defending the right of citizens to express their views. “Whether we agree with their opinion or not, they have a right to voice it,” said Reiter. “Members on this side are not interested in separation.”
But rather than clarifying the Sask Party’s position, critics say the NDP’s aggressive line of questioning revealed a deeper discomfort with public debate. Ness herself, responding to the attacks in an interview with the Western Standard, said the NDP’s hostility confirms they want central control, not representative democracy.
Ness has emerged as a vocal opponent of unchecked federal influence, particularly around issues such as natural resource development, energy policy, and carbon regulation. She argues that calls for separation are not fringe, but a reasonable reaction to Ottawa’s increasingly intrusive policies.
While Premier Moe has consistently stated that Saskatchewan should remain within Canada, he has also championed greater provincial autonomy and rejected federal policies he says harm the province’s interests – from carbon pricing to energy regulation. Many now see his refusal to condemn the petition as a sign he’s listening to grassroots concerns, rather than pandering to media outrage.
The growing interest in Saskatchewan independence mirrors developments in Alberta, where Premier Danielle Smith has championed provincial sovereignty and where nearly a 150,000 people have signed a similar petition at the time of this writing.
