Sask. delegation to COP28 includes 55 companies, universities

“We have some of the cleanest and greenest products on earth, and we’re there to share the how,” said Premier Scott Moe.

Published Nov 30, 2023 • Last updated 10 hours ago • 3 minute read

Premier Scott Moe discusses the upcoming COP28 conference inside the radio room at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

The final list for those attending the United Nations’ COP 28 climate change conference includes 55 total companies, nearly half of which are not Saskatchewan-based.

The conference began on Thursday, and runs until Dec. 12.

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Saskatchewan’s official delegation of five departs Thursday, including Premier Scott Moe alongside staff from his office and the Ministry of Trade and Export Development and assistant deputy minister Kevin France.

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Panels in the provincial pavilion, located inside the Green Zone on the trade show floor, will run from Dec. 3 to Dec. 11, and touch on topics like nuclear energy development, oil and gas, agriculture and mining.

Moe said the “sole focus” of the booth will be a “one-stop shop of what we are doing in Saskatchewan.”

“We have some of the cleanest and greenest products on earth, and we’re there to share the how,” said Moe on Thursday.

Among the larger group of attendees and industry representatives are Economic Development Regina and Mayor Sandra Masters, and Saskatchewan’s triad of post-secondary institutions.

Also on the list are at least 25 out-of-province entities, including the Governments of Alberta and Newfoundland, the Ontario Power Association, RBC Wealth Management, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and legal firms from Ontario and Alberta.

Officials from Japan, Norway, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Colombia are also allowed to utilize the meeting room, courtesy of the province.

“It adds to the conversation,” said Moe, when asked why.

“We’re there not only as the province of Saskatchewan, but as a province within the nation of Canada,” he said.

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Universities, researchers and industries “are not operating in isolation, he continued, adding “when we can work with other provinces, we’re going to.”

Industry giants with major Saskatchewan ties like Cameco, K + S Potash, and Mosaic are also on the list, as are smaller local companies like Saskatoon’s Black Fox Distillery and Hebert Grain Ventures near Moosomin, Sask.

“The big thing for us is to be around our customers, our consumers globally, and to really share what we are doing,” said Kristjan Hebert on Thursday.

Kristjan Hebert, a grain farmer from Moosomin joins Premier Scott Moe to discuss the upcoming COP28 conference inside the radio room at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 in Regina. Photo by KAYLE NEIS /Regina Leader-Post

Marnel Jones, director of public affairs from Mosaic, said having a united space creates a “great presence” and “a stronger message” for those attending to “differentiate from our competitors” on the international stage.

“Going alone probably isn’t as helpful to storytelling, as when we do it together,” she said.

Government has spent $765,000 on the booth space in the trade show portion of the conference, garnering alarm from Opposition critics and some members of the public.

Saskatchewan had made requests to participate in Canada’s pavilion, nine out of 10 of which were turned down by organizers, according to the province.

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Provincial representatives will attend some meetings in the more-restricted Blue Zone and meet with federal officials, said Moe.

Regardless, the Opposition continues to question the bill, with finance critic Aleana Young calling it “the most expensive junket in the history of Saskatchewan.”

Beck says she wants to see a “full accounting” by the government following the travel, including costs and “how many government agencies, ministries, Crown corporations” went, after it was revealed the Saskatchewan Research Council, a Crown Corporation, will be attending.

“We should be promoting Saskatchewan businesses, we should be doing that work of telling the story of Saskatchewan,” said Opposition leader Carla Beck. “But it still does strike me that we are the only province to be spending this extra million dollars.”

An itinerary of events is available online, at SustainableSK.ca/COP28.

Full travel and accommodation costs for the trip were not provided Thursday, per a request from the Leader-Post to the premier’s office.

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