Government not even trying to recoup costs, taking litigation off the table while SaskPower admits installer training was inadequate.
On another day of silence from the premier and his ministers, SaskPower revealed more concerning details about the response to the multi-million-dollar smart meter fiasco.
NDP Leader Cam Broten says the government has to get its act together and start addressing the smart meter debacle properly, before Saskatchewan people and SaskPower ratepayers are left holding the bag on the $47 million bill to remove the smart meters.
Alarming details revealed by SaskPower Wednesday included:
"Why hasn’t this government even spoken with the manufacturer yet? And why on earth is this government not willing to explore all options to recoup this money? It makes no sense to completely remove the possibility of litigation at this stage," said Broten. "It’s pretty clear the government’s plan is just to use $47 million of ratepayers’ money to pay for this mess. That’s hardly standing up for Saskatchewan’s best interests."
The smart meter project was contracted out to a Pennsylvania-based corporation using trucks with Texas license plates, which installed another American company’s smart meters throughout Saskatchewan. The government doesn’t seem to be going after either company to pay, instead leaving public money to cover the costs.
“It also appears the government knows the exemption it gave that private American company to use non-electricians to install the meters is part of the problem,” said Broten after SaskPower admitted the installers will now get some additional training. “But, instead of deciding to use journeyman electricians to remove the smart meters and install digital meters, the government is just going to add a tiny bit of training and keep using the same installers.
“That’s not enough to protect their safety, and it’s not enough to protect Saskatchewan families and their homes.”
REGINA—Saskatchewan New Democrats unanimously approved a solidarity motion with the people of Ukraine, as well as all Saskatchewan people with friends and family in the region at Provincial Council on February 26, 2022.
REGINA—The Saskatchewan New Democrats set the rules and timing for a leadership contest at Provincial Council on February 26th. The new leader will be elected at a leadership convention in Regina in late June, 2022.
All Saskatchewan New Democratic Party members in good standing will be eligible to vote online or by mail-in ballot.
Standing with New Democratic Party candidate Melissa Patterson in Moose Jaw Wakamow today, NDP Leader Ryan Meili called on voters in his hometown to reject Scott Moe’s plan for dangerous cuts during a pandemic.