On Tuesday night, Minister Jeremy Harrison and his officials refused to attend a legislative committee meeting to discuss an additional $813 million needed for SaskPower. The desperate Sask. Party scheduled this meeting. Sask. Party MLAs used their majority on the committee to reject motions to reschedule the meeting to a time that suited the Minister’s schedule. They also shot down a motion by Saskatchewan NDP SaskPower Shadow Minister Aleana Young that the privilege of all members had been breached by the Minister’s unprecedented no-show.
“We are not aware of a cover up of this scale ever occurring in the Saskatchewan legislature,” Young said. “Scott Moe and the desperate Sask. Party will clearly go to any length to avoid scrutiny.
“The massive financial hole at SaskPower will ultimately be paid by families, farms, and small businesses. A massive rate hike is coming and the Minister acts like democratic obligations are beneath him. Scott Moe needs to reign in this arrogance."
No reason was given for the Minister’s absence. The Sask Party could have scheduled this meeting at any time, or better yet, not needed an additional billion dollars of public money.
Young also called out committee members and Sask. Party MLAs Brad Crassweller from White City Qu’Appelle, Terri Bromm from Carrot River Valley and Chris Beaudry from Kelvington-Wadena for their roles in avoiding accountability.
“These whipped rookie members looked pretty ashamed, but they’re ultimately responsible for their behaviour. I hope they have good explanations ready for their constituents on why they allowed a wild and unprecedented Sask. Party cover up rather than allow routine scrutiny of a billion dollars of extra spending. What will they say to people worried about massive rate hikes on their power bills? There’s only one place this money comes from: the taxpayers,” Young said.
Young noted the power rate hike will come as Saskatchewan people already report the highest financial anxiety in the country, and half are emptying their savings or stacking on debt just to put food on the kitchen table.
“People are already worried about money. The most desperate are choosing between eating and heating. Now, keeping the lights on will cause even more stress,” she said.
“My message to the people of Saskatchewan is we don’t have to settle for this. We can elect a government that treats public money with the respect it deserves and makes life affordable for families struggling to make ends meet.”
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