“We’ve heard overwhelmingly that Saskatchewan families, farms and small businesses can’t afford this rate hike,” Beck said. “It's time that Scott Moe stop gouging money from struggling people in this province.
It’s time that the Sask. Party MLAs step forward, stand up to their boss and save Saskatchewan people some money.”
Moe denied any consideration of jacking up power bills when asked in the Legislature in December. On Jan. 2, the rate hike was announced and took effect Feb. 1, costing families, farms and small businesses $136 million.
Last week, Carla Beck’s team introduced Bill 612, The Lower Power Bills and Car Insurance Act, to try to reverse that rate hike and prevent another coming that will hike car insurance rates for 98 per cent of vehicles on Saskatchewan roads.
Scott Moe’s House Leader, Moose Jaw MLA, Tim McLeod, attempted to block the bill’s introduction. On Monday, Sask. Party members blocked an attempt by Saskatchewan NDP SaskPower Shadow Minister Aleana Young to seek leave and force a vote on the bill.
“I can’t recall a time when I’ve seen such sloppy political games being played by a government hellbent on avoiding accountability and hiking costs on families,” Young said. “People across the province are opposed to these rate hikes, and we hope to see some Sask. Party MLAs stand up to Moe to make life more affordable for their constituents.”
Saskatchewan Chambers of Commerce, Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) and the Agricultural Producers of Saskatchewan (APAS), have called the rate hike bad for business competitiveness and local communities.
“People are drowning every day in Scott Moe’s affordability crisis,” Young said. “Let’s stop the rate hike and make life more affordable — it’s time for change.”
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