I would like to draw everyone’s attention to this recent SaskToday article that highlights a point we as the SGP have made many times, “unregulated wetland drainage exposes gaps in Saskatchewan water oversight.”

https://paherald.sk.ca/unregulated-wetland-drainage-exposes-gaps-in-saskatchewan-water-oversight/

From the 2024 Sask. Green Party Election Platform

“Saskatchewan is the only province without a Wetlands Protection Policy. It’s time that Saskatchewan follows the lead of our neighbours in Alberta and Manitoba and develops a more balanced mitigation policy, one that offers protection for municipalities, producers, and society.

When wetlands are drained, we lose the benefits they provide of clean water, flood and drought protection, and recreation opportunities.

Saskatchewan must have a Wetlands Conservation Policy that doesn’t fall short of what is actually needed. As well, we also need legislation to protect our grasslands.”

Sign our Petition:
https://www.saskgreen.ca/sk_needs_a_wetlands_policy

The SaskParty continues to “buckshot” us with so many issues at once that they hope we lose track of some. They are still planning the Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Expansion Project. They are moving forward with it with no provincial or federal review process. It will expand the irrigated acres from 54,000 to 534,000 acres (10 times the current amount). Expanded irrigation projects have environmental problems worldwide, on-farm drainage is increased and water returned to lakes and rivers is laden with fertilizers, chemicals and pesticides. As well, native prairie and wetlands, that left alone act as a carbon sink to stop climate change, will be destroyed for this project. Why are no environmental assessments being done? I believe that it will suddenly be upon us and no one will have a chance to express their concerns before a review board.

Saskatchewan needs to take heed of the many threats to our water security before we have another intense drought year. I’m not sure people in our province are fully aware that 98% of our drinking, agriculture and livestock water comes from Alberta. Alberta’s water needs are not going to diminish during a drought and they can be expected to use or store their 50% entitlement , regardless of the needs of those of us downstream. When we need water the most, during a drought, it may not be available anyway.

The SaskParty keeps pushing ahead with Small Modular Nuclear Reactors, AI Data Centres and the Lake Diefenbaker Irrigation Expansion Project. They are acting like we aren’t a drought prone province and we aren’t in a climate crisis. 

Water is Life and we must fight with all our energy to conserve it. It truly is our most precious resource.

Yours;

Naomi Hunter,
Saskatchewan Green Party Leader