NDP: Scrap proposed power rate hikes amid affordability crisis, revenue boom

REGINA - In light of SaskPower’s proposed 8% rate increase amid rising cost of living and affordability pressures, Official Opposition SaskPower Critic Aleana Young called on the government to scrap the proposed utility rate hike to give Saskatchewan families a break.

“Despite a massive windfall in provincial revenues, the Sask. Party continues to nickel and dime Saskatchewan families, farms and small businesses,” said Young. “It’s clear the government has the money to give people a break. What’s less clear is whether they will do anything about the crushing financial hardship more and more are facing, and scrap this rate hike.”

Since 2016, the Sask. Party has increased power rates four times. With the latest 8% hike, set to be imposed over the next two years, families and businesses will pay approximately 18% more on their power bills by 2024 compared to 2016.

“Inflation, the cost of gas and sky-high food prices are stretching families and businesses beyond breaking point. Instead of helping them get back on their feet, the Sask. Party decided to make life even more expensive,” said Young. “First they introduced 32 new taxes and fee hikes. Now they want to increase power bills for the fourth time since 2016. We need a government that will make life more affordable, not one determined to squeeze Saskatchewan people for every last penny.”

The Official Opposition calls on the government to stop this rate hike and provide immediate relief to the many families left behind by the affordability crisis.

-30-

Latest posts

BECK CALLS ON FEDERAL LEADERS TO COMMIT TO MAKING EQUALIZATION FAIRER

Saskatchewan has been treated unfairly in equalization under successive federal governments, Sask. Party

REGINA – With a federal election looming, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck called on federal party leaders to commit to changing the unfair equalization formula.

SASKATCHEWAN NDP CALLS FOR A MADE-IN-SASKATCHEWAN STRATEGY AS JOBS LOST MOUNT IN PRINCE ALBERT, SASKATCHEWAN’S NORTH

PRINCE ALBERT – The latest December 2024 job numbers by Statistics Canada show that the Prince Albert and Northern economic area of Saskatchewan lost another 700 jobs last month. Overall, there are 1,100 fewer jobs in the region since Scott Moe became Premier in February 2018.

SASK. PARTY SENDS TERMINALLY ILL WEYBURN ADVOCATE A BILL AFTER PROMISING TO COVER CARE

Sask. Party suggests involuntary separation will fix financial challenges

WEYBURN – Fred Sandeski, a terminally ill community advocate, is making a final plea to the Sask. Party to honour their promise, cover his end-of-life care, and spare other families the hardship he has endured.

LATEST SASK PARTY REPORT: NEW STUDENTS UP 15,000 AND TEACHERS DOWN

REGINA – Since 2020, the number of students in Saskatchewan's education system has increased by over 15,000, while the total number of teachers has actually decreased.