August 28, 2023 - ​Blue Sky with Garth Materie

Do future generations have a legal right to a liveable planet?
Young environmental activists in Montana took the government to court arguing that the government was violating their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Today we asked - could the same thing work here? What role do the courts play in holding governments to account for inaction on climate change? We spoke to Jason Maclean who studies environmental law and teaches at the U of S and we heard from Ty Roberts, lands manager for the Lac LaRonge Indian Band.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-189-blue-sky/clip/16006006-do-future-generations-legal-right-liveable-planet​

From the Ground Up Ep. 289: Legal action and the Saskatchewan rush to gas | 2023.08.16

Thu, 17 Aug 2023
https://shows.acast.com/636073121217ef0012e36938/episodes/from-the-ground-up-ep-289-legal-action-and-the-saskatchewan-
Mark and Kaitlyn discuss the recent successful legal action by young people in Montana against their state's failure to take action on climate change, the upcoming legal action in Saskatchewan, and the implications of the federal government's draft clean electricity regulations.

Stop the rush to gas, go renewable for zero emissions electricity by 2035

[This is an edited version of a speech by Mark Bigland-Pritchard at the August 11th rally for net zero by 2035 outside the SaskPower offices in Regina]
https://climatejusticesaskatoon.ca/2023/08/12/stop-the-rush-to-gas-go-renewable-for-zero-emissions-electricity-by-2035/​

Sask. premier says federal net-zero electricity targets would double power rates, experts dispute that

Experts say proposed transition is possible for province
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/experts-say-net-zero-electricity-targets-are-possible-in-sask-1.6937188
Pratyush Dayal · CBC News · Posted: Aug 16, 2023

Experts questioning Sask response to 'unrealistic' federal emissions targets

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2255424067554

Saskatchewan's premier has called federal emissions targets unrealistic. That statement came after Ottawa released its draft clean electricity regulations last week. Now experts are questioning the province's response.

‘A victory for us’: Ontario youth celebrates U.S. climate case win

By Natasha Bulowski | News | August 16th 2023
- https://www.nationalobserver.com/2023/08/16/news/victory-us-ontario-youth-celebrates-montana-climate-case-win

Citizens Climate Lobby Canada - https://canada.citizensclimatelobby.org/

June 5, 2023 Media Release - https://canada.citizensclimatelobby.org/12366-2/​    
​
On Friday, June 2, 2023, Citizens’ Climate Lobby Canada put together a special online event with a stellar line-up of guests. People will have reasons to hope after they listen to “Our Rights and a Liveable World.”
https://canada.citizensclimatelobby.org/all-together-now-ii-human-rights-and-a-liveable-planet/ 

​Kaitlyn Harvey, Sabrina Dykstra, Dr. David Maenz, and Climate Justice Saskatoon have taken a courageous stand by filing a lawsuit against SaskPower, Crown Investments, and the Saskatchewan Government. These brave individuals, including 15-year-old applicant Sabrina Dykstra, exemplify the determination to protect our rights and build a sustainable future.

CCL Canada national call: "Our Rights and a Liveable World" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzU8-xNbeCc

May 26, 2023 - Federal support would help Saskatchewan hit net zero by 2035

The Saskatchewan Coalition of Sustainable Development says the path to net-zero electricity can be found in the recent federal budget.    
https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/columnists/opinion-federal-support-would-help-saskatchewan-hit-net-zero-by-2035

May 18, 2023 - ​Blue Sky with Garth Materie

May 18, 2023: What is preventing Saskatchewan from reaching net-zero by 2035?
The province and the federal government are at odds over whether Saskatchewan can meet the 2035 net-zero targets set out nationally. Today we heard an interview with Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, we heard from Premiere Scott Moe and SaskPower President and CEO Rupen Pandya. We also heard analysis from Margot Hurlbert, Canada Research Chair in Climate Change, Energy and Sustainability Policy at the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Regina and David Maenz author of the book The Price of Carbon.  
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-189-blue-sky/clip/15985715-what-preventing-saskatchewan-reaching-net-zero-2035

May 9, 2023 - ​Saskatoon Morning with Leisha Grebinski

Harnessing the power of the sun - A big part of "greening" electricity involves solar, and the city of Saskatoon wants more people to get on board. Host Leisha Grebinski speaks with the city's Education and Environmental Performance Manager Amber Weckworth about what the city is doing to encourage solar. She also speaks with Brent Veitch, the owner of local solar panel company Rock Paper Sun, and scientist and author David Maenz, about if the province can wean itself off coal and natural gas.
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-88-saskatoon-morning/clip/15983573-harnessing-power-sun​

​April 25, 2023 – Online Press Conference 10:30am Zoom

April 24, 2023 – CBC morning show Regina and Saskatoon interviews Lynn Oliphant

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-residents-taking-province-to-court-over-climate-inaction-1.6820631
​
The Government of Saskatchewan says it will be defending the province's decision to build natural gas-fired power plants, "as this is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without causing undue harm to our people and economy."
 
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-88-saskatoon-morning/clip/15980245-will-courts-frontline-fight-save-planet-a-group
​

April 19, 2023 – Eight Saskatchewan residents are suing the provincial government

Eight Saskatchewan residents are suing the provincial government, claiming that expanding gas-fired electricity generation violates their Charter rights to life, security of person, and equality. And to come up with a plan to get to net zero in the oil-rich province.
https://cleanenergyshow.libsyn.com/160-electric-school-buses-have-huge-health-and-social-effects-on-children

April 18, 2023 - Energi Talks - Citizens sue SaskPower over natural gas power plants

Markham interviews David Maenz, one of the technical experts on the Saskatchewan strategic climate litigation.
 
Climate Justice Saskatoon and 7 Saskatchewan residents, aged 15 to 80, filed an application at the Court of King’s Bench on March 31, 2023, claiming that expanding gas-fired electricity generation violates their Charter rights to life, security of person, and equality.
 
WHAT IS ENERGI TALKS?
Journalist Markham Hislop interviews leading energy experts from around the world about the energy transition and climate change.
 
https://share.transistor.fm/s/0b8d77e2
 
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/citizens-sue-saskpower-over-natural-gas-power-plants/id1534771882?i=1000609522283

Energy Media Podcast
   Spotify:  Energi Talks | Podcast on Spotify
   Apple Podcasts: Energi Talks on Apple Podcasts
   Listen Notes: Energi Talks (podcast) - Markham Hislop | Listen Notes
​

Media Release - April 14, 2023   ​
Citizens file application to halt SaskPower’s expansion of gas fired generation

media_release_-_sk_decarbonization_future_cjs_rev_april_14_2023.pdf
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Saskatoon, SK.  April 14, 2023 - Saskatchewan Power Corporation, Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan, and the Government of Saskatchewan will be challenged in court by Saskatchewan citizens who are deeply concerned about the impacts of dangerous climate change. Climate Justice Saskatoon and seven Saskatchewan residents, aged 15 to 80, filed an application at the Court of King’s Bench on March 31, 2023, claiming that government action to expand gas-fired electricity generation violates our Charter rights to life, security of person, and equality.  
 
SaskPower is currently building a new gas-fired electricity plant near Moose Jaw and is planning to build another near Lanigan, SK.  The current provincial Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gas Regulations permit SaskPower to increase its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, thereby accelerating dangerous climate change.  Saskatchewan has the highest GHG emissions per capita in Canada and according to the Supreme Court of Canada and our Saskatchewan Court of Appeals, we face an existential threat to the future of all life on this planet caused by ongoing GHG emissions.
 
Dangerous climate change is upon us and is made worse by these inexcusable actions by our government and SaskPower.  The applicants argue our Charter rights are violated and that the government has a duty to mitigate its emissions. The applicants are asking the Court to order SaskPower to set a reasonable target to decarbonize and achieve Net-zero emissions as soon as possible.
 
This Court application should provide helpful clarification for all parties and spur important dialogue about our shared power future. 
 
For more information contact:
Email: info@sustainablesask.ca or climatejusticeyxe@gmail.com
​

March 28, 2023 - Farmer frustrated about missing climate action in Sask. budget

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/saskatchewan-budget-2023-environment-and-climate-change-1.6791624
  • A previous version of this story did not mention that Wright ran as a provincial candidate for the NDP in 2011 and 2016, and the Green Party in 2020, and federally for the NDP in 2015 and as an independent in 2019. It has been updated to include that information. - Mar 29, 2023 4:05 PM CT

​For Immediate Release December 18, 2022:

There is a new marketing push from the Government of Saskatchewan to brand our province as "Sustainable Sask" - you may have seen advertising on Facebook and other social media.  Their webpage shows flashy images of Saskatchewan landscapes along with fossil fuel infrastructure such as tank farms, pump jacks, and refineries. The truth is there is no path to sustainability that expands the fossil fuel industry. 

Saskatchewan people show up and pitch in when there is work to do. We have the best solar resource in Canada, excellent wind resources, and have so much potential to reduce energy consumption by focusing on efficiency.

Burning of fossil fuels is responsible for 86% of CO2 emissions in the past decade. Countries are already forecast to produce: 240% more coal, 57% more oil and 71% more gas than is consistent with a 1.5C trajectory by 2030. There is no reason to expand fossil fuels other than perhaps shameless greed.  Read the full details in this report: priceofoil.org/2021/11/12/fossil-fuelled-five-report/

Saskatchewan has the highest emissions per capita in Canada at 55.9 tonnes of CO2e– 216% above the national average of 17.7 tonnes per capita. Saskatchewan’s GHG emissions in 2020 were 65.9 MT of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Saskatchewan’s emissions have increased 46% since 1990 and declined only 8% since 2005. Details can be found here: www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles-saskatchewan.html

We have a long way to go to do our fair share. Sadly, our Premier, Scott Moe, doesn't care about our high GHG emissions per capita - see here:  www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/premier-moe-care-comments-carbon-emissions-1.6416828)
​
The energy transition to electrify and build only clean energy sources is already well underway around the world. The Rocky Mountain Institute published an excellent summary in October 2022 that can be found here: 
rmi.org/insight/the-energy-transition-narrative/

The International Energy Agency released the latest World Energy Outlook on October 27, 2022. For the first time ever, there is NO SCENARIO that sees continued long term growth of ANY fossil fuel including fossil gas (aka natural gas).
www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2022

Don't fall for the glossy marketing trying to cast Saskatchewan's actions as "sustainable." Unlike our Premier, who doesn't care, there are many good people here at home working to end fossil fuel subsidies, working to promote clean energy, and striving to push policy makers to focus on efficiency and reduce waste. Join us in working to lead Saskatchewan to a sustainable future and help call out greenwashing.  Happy Holidays!
​

May 3, 2019

The Saskatchewan Coalition for Sustainable Development strongly endorses the decision made by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal in upholding the constitutionality of the Federal Government’s backstop mechanism for imposing a carbon fee and dividend system on provinces that fail to implement their own economy-wide carbon pricing mechanism. As part of the ruling, the court acknowledged the position put forward by the vast majority of economists and policy experts that carbon pricing is an essential component of effective climate action plans.   

“What then of the idea of minimum standards of price stringency for GHG emissions? Significantly, the factual record before the Court indicates that GHG pricing is not just part and parcel of an effective response to climate change. It indicates that GHG pricing is regarded as an essential aspect or element of the global effort to limit GHG emissions.”
Paragraph 147 of the Court of Appeal of Saskatchewan decision IN THE MATTER OF THE GREENHOUSE GAS POLLUTION PRICING ACT, BILL C-47, PART 5.
​
The decision by the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal that "The Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act is not unconstitutional either in whole or in part" is a victory of facts and expertise over empty rhetoric and misinformation.  Pricing pollution is a meaningful and cost-effective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. ​

FEBRUARY 7, 2019

On Feb 7, 2019, SCSD issued this press release on the upcoming Carbon pricing court case.  The hearing took place in Regina, SK on Feb 13 and 14, 2019.  

Another active member with SCSD, Glenn Wright, has submitted the following affidavit on behalf of the National Farmers Union.  More details about the National Farmer's Union involvement with the upcoming court case, including Mr. Wright's submission, may be found here on their website.

SCSD is participating in the joint intervention in the Carbon Tax Reference case that will be heard at the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal in early 2019.  An affidavit was submitted to the court on behalf of SCSD written by David Maenz, one of the founding members of SCSD, and author of the book The Price of Carbon.