The provincial government’s decision to extend the life of coal-fired power plants past 2029 has prompted legal action by a group of local organizations and individuals. 

The Saskatchewan Environmental Society was joined by Citizens for Public Justice and a few individuals before the Court of King’s Bench in Saskatoon on Monday to kickstart their battle against the Province. 

Peter Prebble with the SES says back in June, the province announced it would keep its coal-fired powerplants running well into the 2040s, which violates the Governments of Canada’s law which requires all provinces to phase them out by January of 2030.  He adds that Saskatchewan is the only province that is not complying with the Government of Canada’s order.

 “It’s really just Saskatchewan that is essentially making a decision to invest a lot of public money in a venture that is a complete violation of federal law that no other province is undertaking.”

Prebble says coal-fired plants are the largest single cause of climate degradation, which shows its face as extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and unprecedented drought. 

In order to argue the decision itself, the plaintiff must first argue to have its case heard in court, as the Provincial Government is arguing that the case be struck down. That process took place Monday, and a verdict is expected soon.