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The Saskatchewan NDP is looking for answers about a billion-dollar increase in expenses for taxpayers.
On Wednesday, the provincial government voted to provide an additional $813 million to SaskPower to improve its transmission system, as well as a further $194 million, which Crown Investments Minister Jeremy Harrison said was needed to cover the removal of the carbon tax.
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The decision was approved in a vote of 32-22.
Aleana Young, the NDP’s jobs and economy critic, accused the Saskatchewan Party of trying to cover up “massive losses” by the Crown corporation while handing taxpayers the bill.
“Never before has the Government of Saskatchewan effectively written itself a cheque for a billion dollars of taxpayer money,” Young told reporters on Wednesday.
The extra expenses first came up during a committee meeting on Tuesday, and Young criticized Harrison for not making himself available to answer questions about the expenditure at that time.
“Think about what ($813 million) could pay for. That’s two hospitals, half a bypass. That’s five per cent of the budget, and they’ve essentially taken that money with no oversight, with no accountability and written themselves a billion-dollar cheque in the darkness of the night,” Young said.
NDP MLA Aleana Young said the Sask. Party was contributing to the cost-of-living crisis. Dec. 3. 2025. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)
On Wednesday afternoon, Harrison defended himself, saying the minister has “never” appeared for a vote in supplementary estimates for statutory items.
“What’s unprecedented is the opposition demanding a minister appear for a statutory budget appropriate, and frankly, it’s a bit troubling,” Harrison told media.
Asked if the additional costs would drive up power rates for Saskatchewan residents, the minister said the government hadn’t given it any consideration.
“Utilities across the country are under significant rate pressure,” Harrison said.
“You’ve seen power rates that have gone up by double digits across the country, while we held the line here in Saskatchewan on power rates, but we have investments to make as well.”
Harrison said the $813 million will be invested in Saskatchewan’s transmission system, connecting the northern and southern power grids.
The Government of Saskatchewan forecast a $427 million deficit in its mid-year report, a significant increase over the $349 million deficit that was expected back in August.
That same report outlined a $292 million reduction in revenue from SaskPower. Young said the NDP would not have allowed the Crown corporation to fall into such a rut.
“SaskPower would not be, year after year, in a position of historic loss,” Young said.
“Energy security – being in control of our own electricity and how we generate power – isn’t just a nice idea. It’s not just a value that we have. It is critical for industry and it’s critical for a province like Saskatchewan.”
— With files from 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick
