The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities says the recent Sask Power rate hike could impact community rinks.

In an official submission to the Rate Review Panel, SARM President Bill Huber explained that rural community rinks are at risk of shuttering due to the 3.9 per cent rate increase, which kicked in on February 1st. A second hike of the same degree will be introduced next February, as well.

Huber says, “many rural rinks are older, less efficient facilities with higher baseline consumption and limited capital to invest in upgrades, so they have less ability to pull from their own municipal revenues in response to higher rates.” He adds that these hikes could result in higher user fees, more fundraising, or cuts to hours and programs.

He adds that farmers are also being unfairly impacted by the decision and are expected to see more than double the monthly increase of a typical residential customer. SARM calls on the Province to reconsider.

The NDP brought this very issue up in Question Period Thursday. Deputy Leader of the Opposition Vicki Mowat says jacking up power bills is only making things worse for Saskatchewan residents who are already feeling the pinch.

She read Huber’s comments aloud, adding that the Province is trying to shut down the NDPs bill to lower power bills and car insurance, instead of scrapping the increases. Minister Responsible for SaskPower Jeremy Harrison felt as though community rinks are pretty well taken care of already.

“With regard to community rinks for example, this government has made significant investments to support community rinks through our Community Rink Affordability Grant. I would note further to that, that Opposition voted against that grant every single time they have had the opportunity.”

He adds that the NDP energy security plan involves shuttering Saskatchewan’s coal-fired power plants, “put 1400 people out of work, devastate two communities, and destroy the reliability of our power grid”, so he says he’ll stick with his own strategy.