The South Saskatchewan River shapes Saskatoon’s identity, but the future of Saskatoon businesses and public services that rely on the river, is at risk.

In a press conference held today, NDP MLAs and Prairie Lily Operators called for urgent action after they say warnings have been ignored by the Sask. Party government.

The South Saskatchewan River has been reduced to sandbars and shutdowns.

In an effort to show the dire situation, Prairie Lily operators took Water Security Agency officials out on the water to show them what the future holds and say the government ignored them.

Erika Ritchie, Shadow Minister for the Water Security Agency says, “This failure has significant impacts on our daily life, from our economy, our safety and our sense of place. There are fears that first responders won’t have access to all parts of the river, as they have historically in the past.”

The Shadow Minister says, “In an emergency, help might not be available in time. The Sask. Party has allowed this to become a serious public safety risk, and when a government can’t keep people safe, or strengthen our basic infrastructure, now and into the future, it has failed its most fundamental responsibility.”

Recreation and community well-being, SaskPower’s ability to reliably generate power, and long-term ecological health of our river valley, all hang in the balance.

Possible summer cancellations this year include Canada Day celebrations and the Nutrien Fireworks Festival, which had planned to launch from boats this year, due to construction on the Broadway Bridge.

In her letter, the Shadow Minister is requesting immediate action on water flow, an annual flow management plan, public transparency and accountability, and long-term protection measures.