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Rink Facility Electricity Rates

Res #: 20-20A
Number: 20
Year: 2020
Midterm: No
Expired: No
Responses Received: Yes
Departments: SaskPower

WHEREAS rinks are the hubs in Saskatchewan communities, providing a place to exercise as well as to socialize;

WHEREAS the social benefits of providing activities for our youth and a gathering place for everyone are incalculable;

WHEREAS balancing the costs to operate rink facilities while charging fees that are affordable to people is difficult for our communities;

WHEREAS SaskPower charges rink facilities their business standard rate for electricity, which is designed for profit;

WHEREAS the business standard rate puts an unfair burden on our rink facilities, which are not-for-profit;

WHEREAS SaskPower is a Crown corporation of the Province of Saskatchewan;

BE IT RESOLVED that SARM lobby SaskPower and the Minister Responsible for SaskPower to recognize the not-for-profit nature of community rinks and the value that they provide by offering a reduced electrical rate for all rink facilities or offsetting electricity costs through a grant program.

Responses From: SaskPower

June 19, 2024

Thank you for your letter regarding an expiring resolution requesting a reduced electrical rate for rink facilities. Our government understands the importance of community rinks throughout our province.

In 2023 SaskPower made a change to electricity rates that will benefit all seasonal customers including rink facilities, and better reflect how a seasonal customer uses electricity. The time period to calculate demand charges has been reduced from 11 to six months with a reset every May and November. The reset allows customers to be billed at a lower demand charge during their off season, resulting in an average savings of about $1,140 per year for approximately 1,400 seasonal customer accounts.

In addition, SaskPower did not file a rate application in 2023-24 so electricity rates will remain unchanged through 2024. Our government prioritizes making Saskatchewan an affordable place to live, including a commitment to keep utility costs as low as possible.

Hon. Dustin Duncan – Minister Responsible for SaskPower, Government of Saskatchewan