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
A turbulent campaign nears its finale as Americans choose between Harris and Trump
A presidential campaign marked by upheaval and rancour headed for its Election Day finale on Tuesday, as Americans decided whether to send Donald Trump back to the White House or elevate Kamala Harris to the Oval Office.
Government calls $9M condo purchase an 'operational decision'
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly defends the purchase of a $9 million condo for the Consulate General of New York City at a parliamentary committee, as a necessary investment.
New homeowners find skeleton in attic 15 years after previous occupant disappeared
Homeowners in France have discovered a skeleton in the attic of an outbuilding while undertaking renovation work.
Netanyahu fires Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, after months of clashes over war and politics
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has fired Defence Minister Yoav Gallant after months of clashes over domestic politics and Israel’s war efforts.
Trudeau and Harris? Poilievre and Trump? Here's who Canadians think would work best with: survey
As Americans prepare to elect their next president on Tuesday, new data from the Angus Reid Institute suggests Canadians hold differing views as to which federal party leaders would be best suited to deal with either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris.
'Extreme disregard for the safety of others': Lamborghini driver gets prison sentence for 2021 Toronto crash
A mortgage broker who totalled his Lamborghini and left a passenger with life-altering injuries after trying to pass a Toronto streetcar at nearly three times the speed limit has been handed a two-and-a-half year prison sentence.
'I’m not proud of it': Jason Kelce apologizes after video shows him spiking a cellphone after fan used a homophobic slur
Jason Kelce issued an apology during ESPN's 'Monday Night Countdown' after a viral video captured a 'heated moment' between the retired Super Bowl champion and a fan over the weekend.
Prison sentences handed down for sexually abusive London, Ont. parents
In handing down the sentences for two London parents, Justice Thomas Heeney told the court, "The facts of this case were the most egregious that I have encountered during my 26 years on the bench."
Harris and Trump tie in Dixville Notch midnight vote to kick off Election Day
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and former U.S. president Donald Trump have tied with three votes each in the tiny New Hampshire township of Dixville Notch, kicking off Election Day in one of the first places in the country to report its presidential preference.