Saskatchewan Minute: Issue 86

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

📅 This Week In Saskatchewan: 📅

• A Saskatoon judge is considering whether a legal challenge to Saskatchewan’s plan to operate coal-fired power plants until 2050 can proceed. Environmental groups and three residents from Saskatchewan and Manitoba are seeking a judicial review of the government’s directive, which allows SaskPower to continue running coal plants well past the federal 2029 phase-out deadline. They have also requested an interim stay to pause the plan until the court rules on its legality. The province argues the courts should not interfere with long-term policy decisions made by elected officials. Lawyers for the applicants say the directive reverses 15 years of coal phase-out planning and lacks sufficient explanation. Critics also warn that refurbishing old coal plants could cost taxpayers nearly a billion dollars and divert funds from renewable energy. The judge’s decision will determine whether the case moves to a full hearing.
  
  
• Saskatchewan has begun publicly reporting emergency room closures through a website that updates daily at 4:00 pm CST with current and upcoming disruptions. Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said the move aims to give residents timely information while ensuring consistent standards across the province’s single health authority. The NDP has criticized the policy, alleging that criteria to keep an ER open have been changed, particularly pointing to what they call the “one nurse rule,” which they say places unsafe demands on a single registered nurse. SHA Chief Operating Officer Derek Miller said the requirements include having at least one physician, operational lab services, and two nurses, including one RN, at each facility. Opposition critics claim the new standards compromise patient care in rural areas and have received reports of concern from health-care workers. Cockrill defended the approach, emphasizing transparency and consistent standards for all regions. 
  
  
• Refugee claims in Saskatchewan nearly doubled over the past year, rising from 683 between April and June 2024 to 1,344 in the same period in 2025, as federal and provincial immigration cuts leave many newcomers with limited options. At the same time, the number of new permanent residents in the province fell by 53%, tying Saskatchewan with Prince Edward Island for the steepest provincial decline. Immigration lawyer Chris Veeman said many temporary residents, including students and workers, are turning to asylum claims as a way to remain in Canada, despite long delays for hearings. Saskatchewan is expected to receive about 1,000 additional spots in 2026 under the provincial nominee program, but advocates warn this will not address the backlog of people already in limbo. The province also saw a net loss of non-permanent residents and continues to lose more people to other provinces than it gains. 
  
  
• Saskatchewan has introduced new legislation to modernize legal name change in an attempt to give residents more flexibility while enhancing privacy and safety. The Change of Name Amendment Act, 2025 allows people to register more than two surnames and permits mononyms when culturally or religiously significant. The law also removes the requirement to notify a spouse, expands the agencies notified - including law enforcement - and grants registrars greater authority to issue certificates or amend registrations without a court order. At the same time, the legislation will prevent people convicted of serious crimes from changing their names, with further regulatory changes planned. The government says the reforms reflect Saskatchewan’s growing diversity and aim to remove unnecessary barriers.
  
  
• Prime Minister Mark Carney attended the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, where he performed the traditional coin toss before the game began. Some fans greeted him with boos and shouted profanities, though he continued smiling, waving, and taking photos with attendees. Before kickoff, Our Lady Peace performed a three-song pre-show, and fans - many wearing Rider green - enjoyed a large tailgate party outside the stadium. On the field, the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 to claim their fifth Grey Cup title. A late defensive play sealed the win when Saskatchewan recovered a Montreal fumble in the end zone. Quarterback Trevor Harris was named the game’s MVP, while Samuel Emilus earned top Canadian honours. The victory adds to Saskatchewan’s previous championships in 1966, 1989, 2007, and 2013.

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