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Earlier this year, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (PCS) merged with Agrium to become Nutrien, in a deal worth US$26 billion.

A 1994 law says PCS, or any of its successors, must keep its registered head office as well as its “head office functions” in Saskatchewan. The province maintains that law applies to Nutrien, but Moe was noncommital when asked if he thinks it is currently being broken.

“We’ve heard those conversations, and that’s why I’ve reached out to the board chair, to ask him to update the premier of this province, on behalf of the people of the province, as to the operations in Nutrien’s head office in Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon, to their intent to those head office positions,” he said, adding the law is “clear with respect to head office operations.”

He said there are a “number of opportunities” available to the province if Nutrien is in violation of the law, but that will only be looked at after his meeting.

When that meeting takes place is another unknown. Moe said he did not know if the province had heard back about a meeting with the board chair or not, “but we’ve sent the request.”

NDP leader Ryan Meili said Moe is “asking nicely for an update which is all very fine,” but said that needs to be followed up with an outlining of potential consequences for Nutrien.

“That’s the kind of leadership this premier should be showing,” he said.

Nutrien, which has about 300 office workers in Saskatoon, plans to relocate to the multimillion-dollar Nutrien Tower going up at River Landing, which will have room for another 100 or so workers.

The company owns six of the 10 potash mines currently operating in the province.

— with files from Alex MacPherson

dfraser@postmedia.com

Twitter.com/dcfraser