A lawsuit against the Saskatchewan government regarding its environmental policies and use of gas-fired power plants has been dismissed by a judge. The legal action, initiated in 2023 by Climate Justice Saskatoon and seven individuals ranging from 15 to 80 years old, targeted the province, SaskPower, and the Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan. The claim alleged that the government’s actions worsened the effects of climate change, violating the applicants’ charter rights. They sought new laws and policies to address climate change in the province.
Last October, Justice Holli Kuski Bassett of the Regina Court of King’s Bench presided over the government’s request to dismiss the claim. In her ruling issued recently, she determined that the claim exceeded the court’s jurisdiction, as legislative matters fall under the province’s authority. The group was essentially asking for court-directed legislative changes, which the judge deemed beyond the court’s scope.
Despite the dismissal, Climate Justice Saskatoon and the individuals involved are disappointed and are contemplating an appeal. Amy Snider, one of the applicants, emphasized that their concerns about the future and climate issues persist despite the court’s decision. The ruling did not assess the merits of the lawsuit but focused on whether the court should proceed with the case. Justice Kuski Bassett underscored the significance of environmental protection in her decision.
Snider confirmed that further legal challenges are planned, mentioning an ongoing separate lawsuit against the province regarding its continued use of coal power plants. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society, also involved in the coal lawsuit, expressed disappointment over the court’s refusal to hear the case, emphasizing the urgent nature of climate change and human rights issues raised in the lawsuit.
In response to the judge’s decision, the province stated that it supports an all-encompassing approach to power generation with a focus on energy security, reliability, and affordability. Saskatchewan, along with Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and B.C., was identified as one of the top five greenhouse gas emitters in 2023, accounting for the majority of Canada’s national greenhouse gas emissions, as reported by Environment and Climate Change Canada.