December 6, 2024 | Advertise with us

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$265M for Sask. electrical grid update coming from feds

The federal government has announced a multi-million dollar investment to upgrade Saskatchewan’s energy grid.

In a news release, the government said that its Canada’s Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program will give more than $12 million for multiple projects aimed at building more renewable power sources including solar projects in Estevan, Lomond, Lajord, Gladmar, Alsask, and multiple First Nations. Nearly $14 million to add 400 megawatts of wind power and 300 megawatts of solar generation in south-central Saskatchewan by 2027.

The $256.7 million investment will also include:

• Over $55 million for a 60 megawatt/60-megawatt hours battery storage system and associated technologies to help manage peak demand and integrate renewables.

• Nearly $80 million for a new substation and two 240-kilowatt transmission lines connecting the province to the Southwest Power Pool in the United States, facilitating 500 megawatts of additional transmission service.

• Over $9 million to support consumer and household energy efficiency programs, including SaskPower’s new Energy Efficiency Discount Program that helps pay for ENERGY STAR appliances, home insulation, and other cost-saving measures for families.

• Over $20 million to help retrofit Northern First Nations’ homes and help new buildings achieve higher cost-saving energy efficiency performance standards.

• Over $5 million to develop power generation in remote and northern communities, while replacing aging distribution infrastructure.

According to the federal government, once the listed projects are completed, they will provide power to almost 20,000 Saskatchewan homes.

Federal Minister of Natural Resources and Energy Jonathan Wilkinson said, “As someone with deep roots in Saskatchewan, I know that these investments in Saskatchewan’s electricity grid will create jobs and ensure the province remains a destination of choice for investors looking to expand their operations.”

Sponsored by the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association

Learn more about the great work the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association and its members are doing at saskheavy.ca.

Canadians split on federal emissions cap

A new survey data from Abacus Data shows Canadians are split regarding the federal emissions cap on the oil and gas sector.

Abacus conducted a national survey of 1,915 Canadian adults to explore public opinions on the federal government’s proposed emissions cap for the oil and gas sector, set to take effect by 2030.

The survey found that just 50% of Canadians know about the policy. When that number is broken down by region, 57% of Saskatchewan residents have heard of the policy, the second-highest in the country behind Alberta residents at 59%. Just 42% of Quebec residents have heard about the emissions cap.

Canadians who know about the policy are equally split on how to view it. 33% of Canadians support the emissions cap to support climate action. 33% oppose the legislation because it harms economic interests. 33% have mixed feelings based on how the policy is implemented. According to the data, respondents in Saskatchewan and Manitoba reflect these results exactly.

Nearly half of Canadians who are aware of the announcement (47%) believe the emissions cap risks deepening divisions in the country by creating a stark contrast between environmental concerns and economic interests. 35% of Canadians who are aware of the emissions cap believe that the federal government can balance the urgent need for climate action with the concerns of oil and gas-producing regions, without alienating significant portions of the population by providing more support for the transition to clean energy.

Abacus Researcher Eddie Shepard said, “Climate change remains one of the most divisive policy issues in the country. It divides Canadians across regional and political lines. As climate policy continues to impact the political landscape, leaders must navigate these divides, ensuring climate goals are met while protecting economic stability and jobs, especially in energy-dependent regions. Canadians are deeply aware of the long-term risks of climate change, but they are equally conscious of the essential role the energy sector plays in driving the economy, supporting employment, and impacting the cost of living. To be effective, any approach to climate policy must balance these competing concerns – ensuring that climate goals are met while safeguarding economic stability and livelihoods. Solutions must be dynamic, balancing the need for climate action with economic and social realities.”

Earlier this year, Alberta launched a $7 million ad campaign to ‘Scrap the Cap’. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said, "We're telling the federal government to forget this reckless and extreme idea and get behind Alberta's leadership by investing in real solutions that cut emissions and do not cut Canada's prosperity."

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Regina council holds first executive meeting

Regina City Council held its first executive committee meeting this week. The meeting lasted less than three hours and every item received unanimous support from the 11 council members, 9 of which are new.

The meeting was about making decisions, but also about how council operates as most of the faces are new. Mayor Chad Bachynski said, "I anticipated drinking through a fire hose. So that has met expectations, I'll say. But no, nothing overly surprising. It's really just the learning curve and keeping pace," Bachynski told media after the meeting.

Bachynski said orientation has helped the council come together, "It was definitely one of the key factors that helped us to get together often and early, build some of those relationships and really understand each other."

City administration requested pre-approval on part of the city budget, including $5.6 million for the general operating budget, $92.4 million for the general capital budget and $131.7 million for the utility capital budget, totalling more than $229 million. Due to the timing of the 2024 election, the council won't be asked to debate the full budget until March 2025.

City Clerk Jim Nicol said, "This is done as a one-off this year to facilitate contracts being, you know, getting going on things so that everything isn't held up until the budget is completed in March. So, if these advanced approvals for whether it is furniture, acquisitions [or] other capital projects is not given today, then we are essentially in a standstill until March. So that can affect pricing [and] job completion."

The council has been undergoing orientation following the election, with more training happening in the new year. The newly elected Regina City Council will have their first meeting next Wednesday.

More news and info

• Poilievre’s Conservatives 22% ahead of Trudeau’s Liberals (Leger)

• Ottawa outlines $2B in spending for artificial intelligence computing (CKOM News)

• Saskatchewan maintains dismal status as leader in spread of HIV, with no provincial strategy in place (CTV Regina)

• Sask. government must help longtime advocate for low-income Weyburn residents with health care: NDP (CBC Saskatchewan)