Saskatchewan Minute: Issue 66

Saskatchewan Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatchewan politics.

📅 This Week In Saskatchewan: 📅

• Saskatchewan’s provincewide state of emergency that was declared due to wildfires has officially expired. While the emergency order has ended, 20 wildfires remain active in the province, with two still uncontained. At the peak of the crisis, more than 10,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency will now provide wildfire updates only as needed, and residents can track information through online dashboards. Despite the easing of the situation, some communities continue to feel the impact of the fires. The government has been providing financial assistance for those affected by the wildfires.
  
  
• Saskatchewan's Opposition NDP is urging the government to eliminate the mandatory vehicle inspection for used cars purchased outside the province before registration. They argue that if a vehicle is deemed roadworthy and insured elsewhere, it should be allowed on Saskatchewan roads without extra inspections, calling the current rule a barrier to interprovincial trade and an unnecessary cost for buyers. However, Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) insists that inspections are essential for road safety and fraud prevention, especially to identify rebuilt or previously damaged vehicles. SGI notes that all other provinces have similar inspection requirements and warns that removing the rule could lead to unsafe or stolen vehicles entering the province. In 2024, over 32,000 out-of-province vehicles underwent inspection in Saskatchewan, slightly up from the previous year. The NDP argues that the current policy is inconsistent, as vehicles bought within Saskatchewan don’t require inspections, even if older or in poor condition.
  
  
• Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations reported $510 million in consolidated net earnings this year, a drop from $578 million last year. The government highlighted record $2.2 billion infrastructure investments and low utility rates, with $240 million in dividends going to the province’s general revenue fund. Major contributors included Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan and SaskEnergy, the latter seeing a notable income increase. However, the NDP criticized the government for releasing all annual reports at once, suggesting it was an attempt to avoid public scrutiny of poor results.
  
  
• FlixBus is launching a new intercity bus service in Saskatchewan starting July 1st, connecting Regina, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Calgary, and Edmonton daily. Pickup points include locations in Saskatoon and Regina. FlixBus entered the Canadian market in 2022 and has expanded across several provinces since then. The service fills a gap left after the closure of the STC in 2017 and Greyhound’s exit in 2021. However, Calgary-based Rider Express, which has operated a similar route for eight years, warns that two companies may not be sustainable on the same route and suggests government regulation of bus services. The Saskatchewan government, meanwhile, supports added bus services and currently has no plans to regulate routes.
  
  
• A three-year study by University of Saskatchewan researchers has found an apparent rise in moose activity around Saskatoon, with moose venturing into urban areas they previously avoided. Using 30 trail cameras set up throughout the city, researchers captured over 200 photos of moose, some spotted even in inner city locations. The increase is partly linked to moose behaviour after breeding season, when mothers push away their older calves, leading these young moose to wander into towns. Experts warn that moose can be aggressive and pose safety risks in urban settings. The recommended response when encountering urban moose is to keep a safe distance and contact authorities, who safely relocate the animals to suitable wild habitats.

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