PRESIDENT - March 15, 2024 - M. Asmuss - , MCEd., B.A. Hon.

To summarize, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society fully supports the proposed Clean Electricity Regulations in the context of the current climate emergency. [...] Without the implementation of the draft Clean Electricity Regulations the pace of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction in the electricity generation sector will be much slower, resulting in unacceptably high releases of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. [...] Thus, the dangerous acceleration of climate change impacts and the threat greenhouse gas emissions pose to public health and wellbeing around the world should be emphasized when finalizing the objectives of the Clean Electricity Regulations. [...] The objectives should be written in such a way as to make it clear that the steps the Government of Canada is taking to reduce GHG emissions in the electricity generation sector are within the domain of the Government of Canada (as opposed to the provinces) and are essential for the purposes of protecting human well- being. [...] The Saskatchewan Environmental Society is worried that the constitutionality of the Clean Electricity Regulations will be challenged by several provincial governments, including the Government of Saskatchewan.