Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland (left) visits Baba’s Closet, a community organization run by Nettie Cherniatenski that supports Ukrainian families by providing basic necessities and school supplies, free of charge. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. Photo by (Saskatoon StarPhoenix / Michelle Berg)

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Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland visited Colonsay, Sask. on Wednesday to tour a potash mine and talk about the importance of Canada’s natural resources on the national and global stage.

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At the Mosaic mine, which was closed for large parts of the COVID-19 pandemic but is now re-employing more than 300 workers, Freeland said the production of potash – a key ingredient in fertilizers – is becoming increasingly important. We deliver the local news you need in these hectic times weekdays at 3pm By clicking the subscribe button you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of our emails. Postmedia Network Inc. | 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4 | 416-383-2300

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“Potash … is a strategic resource,” he said. “It’s always been a strategic resource because it’s part of how we feed people and nothing is more important than that. But with Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, potash has become even more critical.” Other world leaders are paying attention to Canada’s potash mining operations — particularly after the invasion of Ukraine. “I get asked at international meetings about Canada and our ability to source some of the strategic resources that the world no longer wants to buy from Russia,” he said. “I’m proud to be asked that question, because I’m really proud that Canada can play a role in supporting democracy and supporting our democratic allies.”

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Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland speaks at the Mosaic potash mine in Colonsay, Sask. on August 24, 2022. Photo: Julia Peterson/Saskatoon StarPhoenix In this geopolitical environment, Freeland said Canadian potash is a critical part of global food security. “The people who produce potash in Saskatchewan feed the world,” he said. “It’s not an exaggeration. Canada is the world’s largest producer and exporter of potash — 32 percent of the world’s total, in 2020. Farmers around the world depend on our potash… And that means millions upon millions of people depend on the work being done here, right now.” The federal government is under fire for a plan to cut fertilizer-related greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent by 2030. In a recent survey, nearly three-quarters of Canadian farmers said their crop yields and overall food production would fall if they were forced to cut back on fertilizer.

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Freeland said farmers are already good at minimizing fertilizer use while making sure they use enough to grow what they need. “I know a lot of farmers,” he said. “And I don’t know a single farmer who uses more fertilizer than they need. Fertilizer is expensive. And so I have great confidence in the very good judgment of Canadian farmers in managing their farms.” While in the Saskatoon area, Freeland also met with Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark and visited Baba’s Closet, a community organization that supports Ukrainian families by providing free essentials and school supplies. “In recent months, hundreds more Ukrainians have come here to Saskatchewan after being forced from their homes by Vladimir Putin’s illegal invasion,” he said. “I’m really grateful to the people of Saskatchewan for such a warm welcome… When I got off the plane in Saskatoon last night, one of the first things I saw was a blue and yellow flag. And I think the people seeking refuge here will have been greatly comforted by that.”

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