As the ink dries on the latest uranium agreement between India and Canada, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is praising the energy partnership, saying it is good for the province’s economy.

“It’s going to be good for the electricity outbuild here in India as well as good for the economy and good for Northern Saskatchewan and Canada,” Moe told reporters in New Delhi Monday.

The $2.6-billion deal means Saskatoon-based Cameco is to supply just under 22 million pounds of uranium to India for nuclear energy generation over nine years.

“Saskatchewan will certainly benefit from the agreement signed today, but all Canadians benefit as well. I think that’s important for us to remember,” Moe said.

This is the second agreement between Cameco and India’s government, following the first five-year contract, which ended in 2020. The new deal is from 2027 to 2035.

In a news release, Cameco says its uranium will be used for India’s 24 nuclear reactors support the country’s plans to build dozens more.

“That isn’t possible without a stable supply of uranium fuel,” Cameco CEO Tim Gitzel said in the news release.

“We are thankful for the continued advocacy of the Saskatchewan and Canadian governments to foster international trade opportunities that allow us to meet the needs of global customers and bring the benefits home.”

Warren Kaeding, Saskatchewan’s trade and development minister called the announcement of the agreement marked “a very great day here.”

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He continued saying the deal provides Cameco with a “very solid plan” on its exports for the next decade, adding it helps the company with its capital planning, employment and investment in the northern part of the province.

Kaeding also said Saskatchewan will see more royalty revenues from the deal, which will help the province’s bottom line. “It literally opens the door for more agreements that are going to happen as we can likely anticipate are going to happen in the next few years.”

Saskatchewan is included in several other agreements and memoranda of understanding (MOUs) announced on Monday.

Canada and India intend to announce the establishment of a joint “pulse protein centre of excellence” to advance cooperation in value-added agriculture and food innovation. The federal government says that, through a declaration of intent, the two countries will establish a joint task force to develop and operate the centre.

In a statement, Pulse Canada says this centre will help build capacity in the industry through research and innovation.

“For Pulse Canada and its members, this approach underscores the value of partnership-led engagement, bringing together industry, academia, and government to focus on the role pulses can play in the future of food,” Pulse Canada president Greg Cherewyk said in a news release.

Several MOUs were also signed between Indian and Saskatchewan schools. The University of Saskatchewan is signing two agreements for agricultural research with NIFTEM-Kundli and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic is signing three agreements. One is for emerging technologies with Atira University, while the other two are for pathway programs with Axia International and Cambridge International School.

“This mission presents an important opportunity to strengthen Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s global connections and deepen our partnerships with institutions in India,”a spokesperson for for the school said.

Despite the uranium deal and other commitments, no progress was made on removing India’s tariffs on Canadian yellow peas and lentils.

India currently has a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian lentils. The country also placed a 30 per cent tariff on Canadian yellow peas in November to protect its local producers.

Before his trip, Moe said he hoped the tariffs would be removed and that lentil tariffs may actually increase.

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Premier Scott Moe lands in India, says lentil tariffs ‘might actually increase’

Kaeding said the province is doing “everything within our ability” to have those tariffs removed. “But we have to remember that ultimately it’s the federal government that has to be able to sign that trade agreement with India to have those tariffs reduced or eliminated.”

Moe remains in New Delhi until the end of the week, where he plans to attend the Raisina Dialogue, which runs until March 7.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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A proposed uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan has the support of several Indigenous communities as it enters the final stage of seeking federal approval.

Canadian mining company NexGen Energy Ltd. presented its Rook I development project and heard from several key Indigenous stakeholders in Saskatoon on Monday, the first day of the second part of its hearing before the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC).

The proposed mine is located in the southwestern Athabasca Basin, around 150 km north of La Loche, Sask.

NexGen has identified four Indigenous nations in and around the proposed mine area that have signed impact benefit agreements with the company and offered their support for the project. These nations are the Clearwater River Dene Nation, a regional division of Métis Nation Saskatchewan, Birch Narrows Dene Nation and Buffalo River Dene Nation.

Dene Nation elder Jimmy Montgrand was in attendance at the hearings on Monday and says the mining projects are more than just extracting materials from the ground, but for “the future generation of Indigenous kids in that region.”

Montgrand supports the project, adding that ongoing collaboration between the company and the local Indigenous nations is crucial to success, especially given that the proposed mining site is home to historical sites.

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“We’re trying to maintain, according to the elders, what is beneficial for both the Indigenous groups of that region, as well as the corporations that are working with in that area,” said Montgrand.

Components of the mine include underground and surface facilities, along with an onsite mill that is expected to process an average of 1,400 tonnes of ore per day.

The project, which has been in the works for over a decade, is also expected to generate 1,400 local jobs, according to Leigh Curyer, NexGen’s chief executive officer.

“We share with the communities financially as well, and the agreements that we have show that the communities and the company are totally aligned with respect to the sharing of those financial benefits,” said Curyer.

Marlene Hansen, secretary for Métis Nation Saskatchewan, was a part of the consultation process for the past four years and praised the company for meeting the needs of the community.

“We talked about how they’re going to come back and make sure that everything is done and that we could go on the land, and it’s going to be protected. So we know it before it starts, and that’s a good thing,” said Hansen.

“Everybody’s just really excited to get it moving and looking forward to all of the jobs and all of the excitement to come with this project.”

Following the conclusion of the proceedings, the CNSC will consider community, safety and environmental impacts before deciding to grant the project a licence, which could take up to four months. A licence from the CNSC is required before the project can begin.

The proceedings before the CNSC are expected to continue in Saskatoon until its conclusion on Thursday.

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