Sask. Party promises SaskPower rebate

Standing at a podium in the middle of the large empty space serving as Gary Grewal’s campaign office, Saskatchewan Party Leader Scott Moe on Thursday promised savings for SaskPower customers if his party gets back into government.

Moe announced a 10 per cent rebate for all SaskPower customers for one year, starting in December.

“The money people will save across this province can then be put back into our economy and economic recovery, providing a strong tailwind for that recovery in the months ahead,” said Moe.

Moe said his party’s priorities in the campaign and in the months ahead are “building a stronger Saskatchewan” and ensuring a strong recovery from the pandemic.

He said the rebate will be an equitable way to give all people and businesses across the province a break.

The party estimates the average household will save $216 over that year, with the average farm customer saving about $845.

For customers in Saskatoon and Swift Current who don’t get their energy from SaskPower, Moe said SaskPower will give the 10 per cent break to the municipality and it will be expected those savings will be passed on to the customer.

Moe said this isn’t an attempt to buy voters, but rather that it’s a way to put money in Saskatchewan pockets and foster economic recovery.

Moe admitted the province has very little extra money to play with right now but he says this is a good use because it’s an initiative that touches everyone.

The promise is expected to cost about $261 million over the 12 months, but Moe said it fits into his party’s plan to get the budget back to balance by 2024. He said the money will come from the province’s general revenue fund through SaskPower — the Crown Corp. will remain whole.

Moe also took the opportunity to attack the NDP and its announcements over the past couple of days: A tax hike on the wealthiest in the province and more money for classrooms.

Moe said the NDP will spend so much that it will have to expand the tax hike, and that it doesn’t have a plan for where the money it’s spending is going to come from.

“I think the difference between the two parties (Wednesday) was very significant and I think it’s indicative of where the parties intend to take this province,” said Moe, whose party offered a home renovation tax credit while the NDP was unveiling its wealth tax.

In response to the Sask. Party announcement, the NDP sent out an email saying the SaskPower rebate is a way for the Sask. Party to get away from its past of raising SaskPower rates.