The massive hike took effect Sunday and will impact families, farms and small businesses — farmers and business owners continue to speak out against the move and called for more transparency. On Tuesday, the Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce released their submission to the Rate Review Board raising concerns about the impact of rate increases on business competitiveness.
“Many businesses expect costs to be passed on to customers. Electricity rates are viewed as another added cost in an already challenging environment,” reads the Chamber’s submission.
“The Chamber of Commerce is making clear what we’ve known all along — Scott Moe’s ridiculous power bill hike is bad for business, bad for the economy and bad for everyday people already struggling to make ends meet,” said Aleana Young, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for SaskPower.
“Scott Moe and Jeremy Harrison lied about this rate hike in December and now they’re completely ignoring the very real concerns about the harm they’re causing.”
Technically, Sunday’s rate hike is considered interim while the Rate Review Board conducts required consultation — the Saskatchewan NDP is preparing a presentation opposing the hike.
Last month, Young officially launched StopTheRateHike.ca, where Saskatchewan residents can sign a petition calling for the Scott Moe to back off his power-bill hike.
“Local businesses are the backbone of this province, and we need to stand with them,” Burki said. “These rate hikes are nothing but a cash grab from this Premier trying to salvage the absolute mess he’s made of SaskPower’s finances.
Saskatchewan people are coming together to call on Scott Moe to stop the rate hikes. It's time for change.”
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