Premier plans more talks with Nutrien on head office jobs

Premier Scott Moe says he had a “positive ” meeting with Nutrien Friday, but left without a commitment from the company on returning executive jobs to the province where its head office is located.

It was just under a year ago when Potash Corp and Agrium joined forces to become the world’s largest potash producer.

Nutrien’s head office remained in Saskatoon, but many of its executives did not, and in recent weeks the government has faced criticism from the NDP about dwindling leadership in the province.

Moe told Gormley Monday he plans to meet again this week with the company to further those discussions.

“I think as we move forward we are going to need a show of faith and show of trust from this company, in the very short term, that they are committed to moving some of that leadership back to this province.”

“Not only at executive level, but some commitments at the board level as we move forward as well,” said Moe.

Moe said it raises the question about how the province is encouraging investment in the potash sector and attracting new players, adding revisiting the province’s potash royalty structure is an option that could be considered.

“I don’t think its unfair for us to have that discussion.”