Coal catastrophe blows $26-billion hole

May 12, 2026

Media Release, Donna Pasiechnik, Senior Press Secretary, Saskatchewan NDP Official Opposition

Key points from this story:

• Leaked SaskPower documents revealed $26B cost
• Coal plan costs over $1 billion annually
• No relief for high gas prices
• No relief from high rent increases
• $136-million power rate hike planned
• 10,200 jobs lost last month

"Clearly, this budget is nothing but lies, cover ups and deception," said Aleana Young, Shadow Minister for Jobs, Economy & SaskPower. "There is no accounting for their catastrophic coal plan, which will cost Saskatchewan more than $1 billion per year for the next 25 years. This budget is pure fiction and the only thing that's clear is this – Saskatchewan people are going to pay dearly for Scott Moe's horrible decisions."

The $26 billion cost to refurbish coal plants was done in secret. First, Moe's Minister Jeremy Harrison claimed his plan wouldn't cost a dime. Then, the price went to $900 million. Then, $2.6 billion. Finally, SaskPower documents leaked to Beck's team put the cost at $26 billion.

"Here at the Saskatchewan NDP's headquarters, we have a history of cleaning up the mess left behind by deficit-fuelled governments, and this is the latest – and possibly the loudest – chapter in that story," said Sally Housser, Shadow Minister for Energy & Resources. "Putting this budget through the woodchipper only seems fitting as it offers nothing but more pain to families already reporting the highest levels of financial anxiety in the country."

Even before the catastrophic coal plan was exposed, Moe’s bad news budget offered:

• No relief for high prices at the gas pumps
• No relief from the highest rent increases in the country
• No relief from Sask. Party taxes on groceries and children's clothing
• A $136-million power rate hike for families, farms and small businesses
• A planned hike to car insurance rates

"And that's just the tip of the iceberg," Young said. "If you need it, the Sask. Party taxes it. We lost 10,200 jobs last month in Saskatchewan – People are tired and need a break from being stretched to the limit by high prices."

On Monday in Question Period, Moe wouldn't say whether he was aware of the $26 billion cost of his coal plan. He ducked questions about who knew what and when -- and he dodged Beck's call to fire SaskPower Minister Jeremy Harrison for leading the province off a devastating financial cliff. "We deserve accountability for this coal catastrophe," said Hugh Gordon, MLA for Saskatoon Silverspring. "It's time we get to the bottom of who's responsible for this mess. It's time for change."