The announcement leaves homeowners with a 16.8% higher bill next month
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for SaskEnergy Erika Ritchie and Critic for SaskPower Aleana Young called on the Sask. Party government to scrap their proposed 23% utility rate hike announced in a surprise press release and give Saskatchewan families a much-needed break.
“Helping Saskatchewan families make ends meet during 40-year high inflationary pressures should be the top priority of the government,” said Ritchie. “The last thing the Sask. Party should be doing is shocking homeowners by raising the cost of energy 16% with three weeks' notice.”
The Sask. Party government announced that it is implementing a rate increase affecting residential energy bills by roughly 16.8% on August 1, 2022, 2.9% on June 1, 2023, and 3.0% on June 1, 2024. This comes as SaskPower rates are set to increase 8% over the next year.
“This government continues to offer no relief for Saskatchewan families while sitting on massive resource revenues,” said Young. “Instead, they’re making life more expensive, whether it’s increasing sales taxes, higher fees or these massive utility hikes. Maybe instead of taxpayer-funded, invite-only separation tours, the Sask. Party government should focus on the crushing cost of living and the real issues currently facing Saskatchewan people.”
The Official Opposition calls on the government to stop the rate hike and provide immediate relief to the many families, farms and businesses left behind by the affordability crisis.
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I want to wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy new year from everyone here at the Saskatchewan NDP Caucus.
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