Judge reserves decision in challenge of SaskPower natural gas expansion
A group of climate activists is challenging SaskPower's move towards natural gas, arguing it violates their Charter rights.
The applicants in the case include an organization called Climate Justice Saskatoon and seven individuals.
The activists, represented by lawyer Glenn Wright, argue that SaskPower's reliance on natural gas as a "temporary bridge" to net-zero emissions is insufficient and fails to consider a wider range of renewable energy options.
"We're looking for a ruling from the court to say to SaskPower, ‘You've got to do something different," Wright said.
“We're not trying to get the court to legislate from the bench as to what power choices we make,” Wright added. "We're blessed with ample renewable resources."
SaskPower currently has two major natural gas projects in the pipeline: the Aspen Power Station near Lanigan, which broke ground earlier this year, and the Great Plains Power Station near Moose Jaw.
According to the Canada Energy Regulator – natural gas is nearly half as greenhouse gas intensive as coal power, which still powers a large portion of Saskatchewan’s power grid.
“I see it as a waste of resources and, direction to move in when we know that the future is and will need to be cleaner power,” said Amy Snider, one of the applicants.
Amy Snider, one of the applicants in the case, speaks to reporters following court on Friday. (Cole Davenport / CTV News) Before those arguments can be made in front of a judge, an application has to be considered, the subject of a special hearing at Court of King’s Bench Friday.
Lawyers representing the Government of Saskatchewan, SaskPower, and the Crown Investments Corporation argued that the case should be dismissed, claiming it lacks a sufficient legal basis for a Charter challenge.
The applicants want the case to move forward with the opportunity to make changes if required by the judge. They say the move to natural gas violates their rights under sections 7 and 15 of the Charter, which guarantee life, liberty and personal security – and equal protections and benefits.
“They just want an opportunity to get in front of the court and make the case that their rights are being infringed upon,” said Bob Guthrie, whose 16-year-old granddaughter is among the seven individual applicants.
“I know that she has taken a bold step in terms of participating in this. She's doing everything she can on a personal level in terms of her lifestyle choices to reduce her impact in terms of greenhouse gas emissions,” Guthrie said. “But what one human being can do is limited, so she's decided she has to go beyond her personal action and be part of a larger action to try to hold our government accountable.”
“I'm very proud of what she's done already,” Guthrie added.
Representatives for the government were unable to comment following Friday’s hearing given the ongoing provincial election campaign.
The judge has reserved her decision on whether or not the matter can move ahead to a later date.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'It’s a dream come true': Holt, Liberal cabinet sworn-in to office
Susan Holt, the province's first female premier, and 18 cabinet ministers took the oath of office in the chamber of the legislative assembly.
Alberta Premier Smith gets 91 per cent support in leadership review
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith received a dominating 91.5 per cent vote of support from her United Conservative Party members in a scheduled leadership review vote on Saturday.
Live from New York: Harris making surprise 'Saturday Night Live' appearance with election looming
U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris has made an unannounced trip to New York to appear on an episode of 'Saturday Night Live,' briefly stepping away from the battleground states she’s been campaigning in with just three days to go before the election.
Multiple RTDNA wins for CTV News, including 2 for W5
CTV News won four national news awards and a local news award from RTDNA Canada, the organization announced Saturday night at a gala event in Toronto.
2 people charged in Toronto incident that left police horse and officer injured were out on bail, police say
The driver of a pickup truck who allegedly struck a police horse and rammed several cruisers on Queen Street West on Friday afternoon was out on bail at the time of the incident, Toronto police say.
Here's what you can buy for $729,000 in 8 Ottawa neighbourhoods
CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you can buy for the average Ottawa home price of $729,000 in eight Ottawa neighbourhoods.
Calgary police issue warning after receiving over 150 calls relating to personal fireworks
Calgary police issued a media statement Saturday reminding residents about the rules regarding personal fireworks after receiving over 150 complaints.
Florida's convicted killer clown released from prison for the murder of her husband's then-wife
A woman who pleaded guilty to dressing as a clown and in 1990 murdering the wife of a man she later married was released from prison on Saturday.
Vancouver quietly proclaimed Chip Wilson Day as billionaire installed sign calling B.C. NDP 'communist'
On the same day Chip Wilson erected a controversial sign at his Vancouver mansion, the city was quietly honouring the billionaire and his wife.