As major problems with the Sask. Party’s net metering program become apparent, the NDP is calling for a more robust program to fill the gaps.
“We have the best solar exposure and a government with new ideas could put that to good use, but the Sask. Party is out of ideas and letting people down,” Meili said. “Imagine how much a government committed to ensuring Saskatchewan is a leader in renewable energy could accomplish.”
Meili noted that businesses, investors, homeowners, and producers will all be hurt by the failure of the Sask. Party to anticipate public interest in this program, and that this cancellation sends all the wrong signals for a rapidly growing industry.
“It’s important to send the right message to investors, business owners and people interested in entering into renewable energy programs because of the potential money they save and the jobs they create,” Meili said. “The message being sent by the Sask. Party here is that they don’t take this program, the renewable industry, the investments made by the over 200 participants, or the threat of climate change seriously.”
Meili and the NDP’s plan, Renew Saskatchewan, would ensure homeowners, producers and businesses see the full benefit of using renewable energy sources. The plan would provide assessments and financing options for clean energy installations or retrofits for homes, farms, businesses, industry, municipalities and reserves. Funds would be paid back over time from the customer’s power or energy bills based on the value of the power generated or fossil fuel energy saved by the installation.
“The fact that so many people subscribed to the program shows there is an appetite for using renewables for power generation in Saskatchewan,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “But what we’re seeing is that the Sask. Party’s plan was nowhere near ambitious or well thought out enough to take full advantage of Saskatchewan people’s desire to be a part of the transition to a clean energy future.”
Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.