Wall says potential Potash, Agrium merger needs to protect Saskatchewan interest

REGINA – Premier Brad Wall says he expects Saskatoon-based Potash Corp. to keep its pledge about increasing jobs in the province even if there is a merger with Calgary-based Agrium.

Potash Corp., (TSX:POT) the world’s largest fertilizer company by capacity, and Agrium (TSX:AGU) have confirmed they are in preliminary merger talks.

Wall says the CEOs of both companies have called him and indicated that jobs, as well as the economic impact to the province, are a priority in the discussions.

If there is to be a new company, the premier says he wants Saskatchewan’s interests protected and advanced, possibly with more jobs in the province.

Wall successfully argued against the Australian firm BHP Billiton’s (NYSE:BHP) proposed takeover of Potash Corp. in 2010, saying there was no net benefit to Canada.

He says this scenario is different because it’s a proposed merger of two Canadian companies, not a foreign takeover.