Cannington MLA Daryl Harrison reflects on 2025
December 22, 2025, 1:00 pm
Nicole Taylor, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The World-Spectator spoke to Cannington MLA Daryl Harrison about what kind of year 2025 has been and what he’s looking forward to in 2026. Following are his thoughts on the year:
What were some of the highlights for you in 2025?
Making life more affordable for people here in Saskatchewan is a priority. Our ability to index people’s income, having them be able to keep some money in their pockets is huge. It’s not something that really happens anywhere else in the country.
What were some of the things you believe you or your government accomplished this year?
I think on the agricultural side, having the Premier step up and go to China to open the door to the provincial government talking with China and working toward getting the tariff removed on canola, canola oil, and peas, as well as the duties that were a part of ani-dumping investigations. I think having the Premier step up and having some good meetings there gave the federal government the ability to have those conversations with China, and for Prime Minister Carney to have those talks face-to-face, because that’s how China operates on a nation-to-nation level. We need that dialogue to happen sooner-than-later. We’re looking forward to January as we’ve been told that there will be a state dinner between the two leaders.
What were some of the disappointments in 2025?
We’ll start with the trade talks and the duties on canola, as well as the tariffs on oil. We’re having disruptions with our three largest trading partners. CUSMA is coming up for review in 2026, so we’re very mindful of what might change in that regard. Dealing with our three largest trading partners virtually all at the same time is a huge undertaking. I can say from our Premier, we’re working hard to get that relationship justified and go back to some fair, free, open trade.
What are some things in 2025 that had the most effect on your constituents?
Being able to generate power, and being able to keep our electricity bills at one of the lowest in the country. Basically just keeping the heat and the lights on here for the people of Cannington.
What are some of the things you hear most from your constituents?
It certainly depends who you’re talking to. Of course the agricultural community had some of the best crops ever grown in the area, it wasn’t the same all across the province but Stats Canada predicts a record breaking crop for Cannington. Overall we are very pleased with the volume and quality, but disappointed on the prices for grains, seeds, and pulses. If you flip over to the beef producers’ side, they are coming off their best year ever.
For 2026, what would you like to see accomplished?
Again, I would like to establish our trade relationships, and getting our markets back to free and fair. Particularly with our three main trading partners, but also with the 160 other countries that Saskatchewan currently has a trade relationship with. We want that in any and all markets, but certainly with the U.S., China and India. We need those relationships because Saskatchewan is a trading province and Canada is a trading nation and we must keep that trade strong.
What do you think some of the biggest challenges will be for your party and your government in 2026?
I think that’s going to be that we renew CUSMA, it’s so important that we have those trade relationships for the commodities we produce. Most recently the U.S. president imposed potash tariffs. We don’t want tariffs on one of our biggest products, but we need the U.S. market for that product. We have to keep up and get that CUSMA renewal completed and keep us in a strong relationship with the United States.
What do you want to see accomplished by the next election?
Keeping Saskatchewan the most affordable and best place to live in Canada is certainly a goal of mine. You might say I’m biased, but Saskatchewan is the best place to live in Canada. We’ve got so much going for us, especially the people of this province and how they step up. Whether it’s a community project, sports, recreation, or just getting the job done. It’s very important to the province and very important to me.
What are some of the most challenging things about being an MLA?
There’s always calls coming in, and certainly health care and highways are two of the most urgent things. We’ve got to make sure that people always have access to primary care and keeping our emergency rooms on continuous operation. That’s definitely a priority being a Saskatchewan MLA.
What are some of the most rewarding things about being an MLA?
It’s the people. You meet so many great people as you travel around from all walks of life. It’s definitely about the people. I can’t say enough—people make this job worthwhile.
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I wish everyone a merry Christmas and everyone a happy and prosperous 2026!
