A lawsuit filed by Climate Justice Saskatoon and seven residents ranging from 15 to 80 years old against the Saskatchewan government regarding its environmental policies and use of gas-fired power plants has been dismissed by a judge. The lawsuit, initiated in 2023, named the province, SaskPower, and the Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan as respondents. The applicants claimed that the province’s actions had violated their charter rights, exacerbating the impacts of climate change, and urged the court to implement new laws and policies to address climate change in the province.
Regina Court of King’s Bench Justice Holli Kuski Bassett reviewed the provincial government’s motion to strike the claim last October. In her written ruling issued last week, the judge determined that the claim was beyond the court’s jurisdiction, as legislative matters are under the authority of the provincial legislature. The judge noted that the group was essentially seeking “court-directed legislative reform.” Climate Justice Saskatoon and the individuals involved expressed disappointment with the decision and are contemplating an appeal.
Amy Snider, one of the individual applicants, stated, “I don’t think it’s the end of our case, because it’s certainly not the end of our concern.” She emphasized that their worries about the future, including that of their children and grandchildren, persist despite the judge’s ruling. The court’s decision focused on the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case and did not assess the merits of the lawsuit. Justice Kuski Bassett underscored the importance of environmental protection in her ruling, clarifying that the decision did not absolve the respondents from constitutional scrutiny regarding their response to climate change under appropriate circumstances.
Snider indicated that further legal challenges are forthcoming, mentioning an ongoing court case against the province concerning its continued use of coal power plants, involving a separate set of applicants. The Saskatchewan Environmental Society, also involved in the coal lawsuit, expressed disappointment over the court’s refusal to hear the case, emphasizing the critical questions about climate change and human rights raised by the lawsuit.
The province welcomed the judge’s decision, highlighting its commitment, along with SaskPower, to an inclusive approach to power generation that ensures energy security, reliability, and affordability. Environmental and Climate Change Canada reported that in 2023, Saskatchewan was one of the top five greenhouse gas emitters in Canada, along with Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia, collectively responsible for 92% of Canada’s national greenhouse gas emissions.
