Question Period (1 April 2025)

From Hansard (1 April 2025)

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Government Procurement and US Contracts

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, it’s not just our parks system that the Sask Party government gave away to an American company, but it’s our hunting and fishing licences too. When I buy my hunting licence in the fall or my fishing licence in the spring, I don’t want those dollars going into the pockets of an American company. I want those dollars staying in our province, creating good jobs here, staying in my community.

Why won’t the Sask Party scrap this US contract and find someone in Saskatchewan to sell hunting and fishing licences instead?

Hon. Travis Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I want to thank the member opposite for the question. Aspira is the name of the electronic booking system that all hunters have access to. It’s a very user-friendly system, very popular with all hunters across Saskatchewan, and it’s working out very effectively for each and every outdoorsman across the province. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. If this Sask Party government thinks that giving a contract for a fishing licence to a US company makes sense in the face of Donald Trump’s tariffs, then they’ve been taken in hook, line, and sinker. When you call to buy a fishing licence in Saskatchewan today, the person answering the phone is in New York. We checked this morning, Mr. Speaker.

Does the minister think it’s okay for New Yorkers to be selling Saskatchewan people hunting and fishing licences while Donald Trump is threatening our sovereignty?

Hon. Travis Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. IT [information technology] purchases can be extremely expensive. The Aspira format has worked out to be very affordable for each and every Saskatchewan outdoorsman. It’s been very widely received and very well run.

During the big game management extended hunt, Mr. Speaker, we had thousands and thousands of people purchasing hunting licences. It sold out in under three minutes. It worked out quite well and there was no challenges with the IT system, Mr. Speaker. We’re very happy with the Aspira network and it’s very happy with all of our outdoor enthusiasts all across Saskatchewan. Thank you.

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