The provincial government says Saskatchewan residents are enjoying the lowest utility expenses in all of Canada during one of the most challenging times in history. Don Morgan is the Minister Responsible for all major crowns. He says, “The government has implemented rebates through the Crown utilities to help protect the quality of life residents and businesses have come to expect. Saskatchewan is enjoying the largest utility rebate ever in 2021.”
The rebates include $285 million for automobile owners from the Saskatchewan Auto Fund Rate Stabilization Reserve. SGI customers will receive cheques in May for about 26 per cent of their annual premium. In addition, SaskPower customers received a 10 per cent bill reduction that started last December 1st for a period of 12 months. The government says it amounts to an average $131 per customer for the 12-month period.
The provincial utility cost calculation used in the comparison is based on:
• Two vehicles per household receiving 26 per cent of the annual registration premium using an average group of vehicles comparison for all provinces;
• Gas and electricity costs based on average customer consumption;
• Telecommunications costs include two cellular voice and data packages per household;
• Carbon levies were included in the expense calculations despite being flow through costs to the federal government;
“This has been a difficult year financially for many,” Morgan said. “We needed to take action to not only protect Saskatchewan customers, but help re-build their economic security. These rebates have put Saskatchewan ahead of the rest of the provinces at a most difficult time.”
Details of the utility cost comparisons and rankings are available in the attached background table.
