On Friday, April 17, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal heard the case of Dykstra et al. v. Saskatchewan Power Corporation et al.
It is a complicated case as it addresses the court’s capacity or duty to create policy regarding the expansion and continued use of fossil-fuel energy generators in the province. There is a concern that the legislative branch of government might be over-stepping its jurisdiction in allowing the case to move forward and set what some consider a dangerous precedent.
The case, which has been put forward by Climate Justice Saskatoon as well as eight others, is situated at the intersection of international, human rights, and civil law. According to the International Court of Justice, Canada’s signature to the Paris Agreement in 2016 means that it is obliged “to adopt climate change mitigation measures to secure a sustainable environment for future generations.” As such, the plaintiffs claim that the Province of Saskatchewan is also bound to the International agreement to reduce fossil fuel emissions not only to reduce GHG’s, but also to assure the health of youth and other vulnerable individuals. They further claim that the Province’s authorization and expansion of natural gas-fired electricity generation violates Sections 7 and 15 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
To read more about this case, you may read the CTV News or CBC News articles by clicking the embedded blue links.