Power bill hike application a ‘back-door tax’

Posted: July 10, 2012 | E-mail this to a friend | Print view

The five per cent rate increase for SaskPower customers would not be necessary if the Sask. Party government hadn’t taken a last-minute, emergency cash grab from the Crown.

If approved by the Rate Review Panel, businesses and families will pay $90.8 million more for power in 2013, offsetting the Sask. Party’s $120 million surprise raid of SaskPower bank accounts last year.

“The Sask. Party government should be allowing SaskPower to grow and invest in energy security for the province,” said Trent Wotherspoon, NDP critic for SaskPower. “Instead, SaskPower is forced to turn to ratepayers’ wallets.”

Wotherspoon said that the Sask. Party’s tactics amount to a “back door tax.”

“Everyday people need their government to make the monthly bills just a little bit easier instead of adding to people’s expenses,” said Wotherspoon.

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