Jeremy Harrison did concede during budget estimates the cost of his plan to refurbish coal plants had already nearly tripled to $2.6 million from its original price tag of $900 million. Still, despite that massive swing, Harrison spent most of his committee appearance wandering through aimless monologues and refusing to answer questions on the total cost of his power plan.
“He was very clear: he couldn’t come up with a number,” said Aleana Young, Shadow Minister for Jobs, Economy & SaskPower. “Scott Moe and his Minister want the people of Saskatchewan to write them a blank cheque for their costly power plan. They’ve already hiked power bills $136 million after insisting there would be no increase. Now, who knows when the pain for more than 500,000 SaskPower customers will end?”
Carla Beck’s team contracted Doug Ford’s own energy firm to conduct independent modelling of more than 20 possible paths for Saskatchewan’s electricity system. Moe and Harrison’s current approach was found to cost the most, contain the most risk, rely heaviest on American imports and generate $35 billion in new debt.
“I’m gob smacked that a Government Minister would turn up a budget committee meeting without any idea how much money is allocated for his electricity manifesto,” Young said. “It’s either gross incompetence or a complete lack of respect for Saskatchewan people — or both.
“The Premier needs to step in and send this Minister packing. It’s time for change.”
Recently, Beck’s team introduced the Grid and Growth Plan, which delivers lower power bills for Saskatchewan people while generating $33 billion in economic activity and strengthening energy security. All Saskatchewan people are welcome to review the plan and provide feedback at
GridAndGrowth.ca.
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