In reaction to the announcement from Federated Cooperatives Limited that it is pausing its biodiesel and canola crushing plants, the Leader of the NDP says it has been a devastating week for Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry. In a statement, Carla Beck says first, there was news of the Viterra-Bunge merger. She attributes the University of Saskatchewan as having estimated it could cost producers nearly $800 million annually in lost revenue.

And now, FCL has announced pausing the two plants, which she cites is the loss of $4.5 million in economic investment and the creation of over 2,500 jobs. Beck says, “The Sask Party are the first ones with their golden shovels for the photo-op but are now in hiding as billions of dollars and thousands of jobs go up in smoke.”