Press Release: SES disappointed Court will not hear important climate case
PRESS RELEASE
Saskatchewan Environmental Society
October 16, 2025
For immediate release
Saskatchewan Environmental Society disappointed Court will not hear important climate case
The Saskatchewan Environmental Society (SES) is disappointed by the October 10, 2025, decision from the Court of King’s Bench to grant the Government of Saskatchewan and SaskPower’s application to strike the landmark climate lawsuit brought by several Saskatchewan citizens and Climate Justice Saskatoon.
The lawsuit argued that government action to expand natural gas-fired electricity violates Charter rights because of its negative climate change impacts. The lawsuit asked the Court to order SaskPower to set a credible target for reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible, but the Court has ruled that the case will not proceed.
“This is a deeply disappointing outcome,” said Margret Asmuss, SES President. “This case raises urgent and fundamental questions about climate change and human rights. We believe it should have been heard in full.”
SES had previously sought to intervene in the case to assist the Court by contributing legal arguments and expert insight on electricity generation, renewable energy feasibility, and climate policy impacts in Saskatchewan. With this ruling, SES will no longer have an opportunity to contribute.
“To support informed and responsible decision-making, we were prepared to bring forward expert evidence from Dr. Brett Dolter and Dr. Mark Jacobson—two leading voices on energy transitions,” added Peter Prebble, SES board member. “We thought it was important for this expert evidence to be heard by the Court because it would have illustrated there are lower cost, safer, and more environmentally friendly options for generating electricity than SaskPower and the provincial government are currently opting for. We were also prepared to make legal submissions, in addition to those being made by Climate Justice Saskatoon and the individual applicants.”
“While we respect the Court’s decision, we are concerned that urgent issues surrounding Saskatchewan’s electricity future remain unexamined,” said Bob Halliday, SES Vice President. “SES will continue advocating for bold, science-based climate action and responsible energy policy in Saskatchewan.”
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