SASKATOON — A 12-year-old climate advocate from Saskatoon is part of a legal challenge against Saskatchewan’s decision to continue operating coal-fired power plants beyond the federally mandated Dec. 31, 2030, phase-out date.
Kiké Dueck, aware of the impact of climate change on today’s youth, wants to grow up in a world powered by cleaner energy and one where every species on the planet continues to thrive. Dueck is one of a group of environmental advocates challenging the provincial government’s decision.
Saskatchewan resident Sherry Olson and Manitoban Matthew Wiens, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, and Citizens for Public Justice are also plaintiffs in the case, with Glenn Wright of Procido LLP representing them. Wright and his clients were at the Court of King’s Bench on Monday, Nov. 10, contesting the motion to strike filed by the government.
The climate activists have asked the court to allow judicial review to proceed and to grant an interim stay of the provincial government’s June 18, 2025, decision directing SaskPower to refurbish Saskatchewan’s coal-fired power plants to extend their service beyond 2030. The government argued that if the court decides to move forward, it would be acting in a controlling manner, contrary to its elected mandate.
The group is asking the court to allow the judicial review to proceed and to grant an interim stay of the decision. However, that has not yet been made, and Justice R.S. Smith adjourned the hearing, as he will now decide the case’s justiciability and the Government of Saskatchewan’s motion to strike the proceedings. Wright requested the adjournment on whether to request all documentation about the government’s decision to continue operating Saskatchewan’s coal-fired power plants.
Wright said they need an adjournment because the government has not released the full record of its decision-making process, and they believe the decision is unlawful, unreasonable and made without public consultation. He argued that the move reverses 15 years of public commitments to phase out coal and violates both provincial greenhouse gas regulations and federal rules on coal-fired power and clean electricity. The government, however, is attempting to have the case struck, claiming it is not for the courts to decide.
Kiké said continuing to use coal as an energy source will be hard for everyone, as it would keep the air polluted and cause a greater negative impact on the environment, as seen in the number of forest fires in northern Saskatchewan and in several Canadian provinces this past summer.
“We don't want to be the example for doing bad things. Like, if our provincial government can get away with continuing to use coal, then other governments will do the same. We're a developed nation; we need to set an example and make sure we have more than enough. We should make sure that we have enough in the future and that we have an easily livable future, and it doesn't have to be harder for people to get by than it already is,” said Kiké.
Kiké added that pollution from coal power plants would be more disastrous for underdeveloped nations, humans and animals alike, bringing a lack of climate justice that further causes inequality and unfairness, as people from these countries, who already don’t have much, would have fewer means to afford essential things.
“The sun, the wind, they are, like, given to us. We don't have to take them from the Earth, and it makes so much more sense to take what you're given. That'd be like being given a gift and then stealing something else. It is just wrong. Sustainable development is an important part of our future as a species. If we don't have a livable future, it's hard to do anything. It'll become so much harder to do everything. I really don't want that. I want to be able to do a ton of stuff. I feel like my future is bleak if we don't take action and we don't try to make the world a better place. This is an important way that we can do that,” said Kiké.
Olson added that continuing to use coal would also set back all the efforts made by communities across the province, including composting and recycling, which are individual acts.
“At a time when governments are often more top-down, forcing a decision, it is essential for them to actually listen to the people that those decisions will impact. Our forest fires are just an example of how people are affected, and just calling it policy doesn't mean it isn't moving into the administration. They're [government] acting on those things, and we want them to change direction,” added Olson.
SES president Margret Asmuss, vice-president Bob Halliday, board director Peter Prebble, CPJ executive director Willard Metzger and other environmental advocates were also present at the hearing.
SaskToday asked the provincial government for further comment, but haven't received a response as of the time of posting.
