NDP calls for Sask First procurement for Saskatchewan’s energy future

REGINA - The Saskatchewan NDP is calling out the Sask. Party government failure to put Saskatchewan workers and companies first. Construction is set to begin on the Blue Hills wind power project north of Swift Current under a power purchase agreement with an out-of-province company bringing in out-of-province workers. NDP Leader Ryan Meili is calling for Saskatchewan companies and workers to be prioritized for the next round of SaskPower’s power purchase agreements which are set to be announced in the near future.

“These important infrastructure projects, especially in green energy, drive employment and trades experience that is crucial to our recovery and our long-term economic and energy future,” said Meili. “But that potential to drive new jobs that will build Saskatchewan expertise are lost when the Sask. Party refuses to ensure that Saskatchewan workers are hired to build these projects. The fact that out-of-province workers are building our projects is especially problematic during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Meili noted that under the Sask. Party, the ten biggest infrastructure projects in the last ten years have all gone to out-of-province and out-of-country companies. The Sask. Party’s management of energy infrastructure under SaskPower is a major contributor to this problem. Under a previous power purchase agreement with SaskPower, an out of province private company is currently building another wind project near Assiniboia. That company also brought in out-of-province workers during a pandemic, drawing criticism from the local community.

“With the challenges we are facing in Saskatchewan, we should be looking at every opportunity to create good jobs in sustainable industries right here, for Saskatchewan companies and Saskatchewan workers,” said Meili. “The Premier must ensure that Saskatchewan workers are building our infrastructure at this crucial time.”

-30-

Latest posts

MINISTER CAN’T KEEP CHILDCARE DETAILS STRAIGHT, FAMILIES IN CHAOS

YMCA Tells Families With Six-Year-Olds They Can No Longer Attend

MOOSE JAW — A week after Scott Moe’s Minister of Education shared the details of a new childcare agreement with childcare providers, confusion and chaos remains.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM INTRODUCES BILL TO PROTECT ALL CANCER PATIENTS FROM MOE GOVERNMENT’S CRUEL PARKING FEES

REGINA – Today, Carla Beck’s team introduced legislation to reverse the Moe government's cruel decision to charge some cancer patients parking fees every time they visit a health facility for treatment.

SCOTT, WE’RE ASKING ABOUT THE POWER HIKES TODAY

Sask. Party Denied Rate Hike Rumours In December, Jacked Rates In January
REGINA – Carla Beck’s team will kick off Question Period Thursday asking, yet again, for Scott Moe to come clean on when he knew he was going to jack up power rates on Saskatchewan farms, families and small businesses by $136-million annually.

CARLA BECK’S TEAM STANDS WITH SASK POLY FACULTY ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT TO DEMAND AN END TO CUTS & LAYOFFS

More Than 100 Faculty Fired, Entire Health Information Management Program Shuttered While Scott Moe Sits On His Hands

REGINA – Carla Beck’s team stood with the president of the Faculty Association at Saskatchewan Polytechnic at the Legislature Wednesday to demand more funding and an end to a series of devastating layoffs.