Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
Remember Spaceballs, when the priest at the end of the movie does the “short, short” version of the vows? Well here goes on the coal decision appeal short, short version:
The Saskatchewan Court of Appeals heard arguments from the lawyers for five parties who wish to shut down Saskatchewan’s coal-fired power generation and its refurbishment, the Ministery of Justice on behalf of the Government of Saskatchwan and Dan LeBlanc, representing both the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and United Mine Workers of America on an intervenor status.
Glenn Wright represented the appellants, the five parties (two environmental organizations and three individuals) who want the party to end for coal. He started off with a list of about four items he was seeking from the court and rapidly found out the court was punting all but one of them. That remaining issue was “justicabilty,” which is whether or not the court can even consider the case. And that, in turn, all pivoted on whether or not the courts should be reviewing government decisions, or whether elected governments should govern.
The ruling under appeal by Court of Kings Bench Justice Smith said that governments should govern, and the courts should stay out of the way in matters like this. The Court of Appeal now has to decide if he erred in that ruling.
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Pointedly Justice Caldwell pondered if the prime minister was dealing with President Trump, should judges review his actions?
This took place before a packed courtroom, with an overflow courtroom and about two dozen people watching online. Most of those were aligned with environmental organizations seeking to shut down coal (they took a group picture on the courtroom steps.) But several members of IBEW and UMWA sat in the front row, too. Unlike the rest in the courtroom, their very livelihoods, jobs and mortgages are at stake.
This group of people took the province to court to shut down coal-fired power generation.
The justices reserved their decision, which indicates it could be several months before a decision is handed down.
Here’s a short video explaining what went on:
Pipeline Online is on the road for much of this month and will not be able to do a detailed report until much later. Meet editor Brian Zinchuk at the Lloydminster Heavy Oil Show on Wednesday or Thursday).
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