Brian Zinchuk is editor and owner of Pipeline Online
A loader fills a haul truck on the mineface, east of the Shand Power Station, on March 23. Photo by Brian Zinchuk
Editor’s note: On May 7 both the United Mine Workers of America and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers sent letters of support for the Saskatchewan Party Government’s plan to rebuild the coal fleet and dismay at the New Democratic Party’s more assertive stance in recent days to do away with coal-fired power generation. Here’s the letter sent to Minister of Crown Investments Corporation and Minister Responsible for SaskPower Jeremy Harrison:
Dear Minister Harrison,
On behalf of the United Mine Workers of America and the workers we represent in
Saskatchewan’s coal mining sector, we are writing to express our appreciation for your continued public support of Saskatchewan’s coal industry, electrical generation workforce, and the importance of maintaining reliable baseload power within our province.
Our membership recognizes the difficult position the Government of Saskatchewan faces in balancing affordability, reliability, environmental pressures, and long-term energy security. Throughout these discussions, Saskatchewan coal miners and power workers have continued to show up every day to safely produce the electricity that powers Saskatchewan homes, farms, businesses, and industry.
At the same time, we are extremely disappointed by the reckless and misleading statements recently made by members of the opposition regarding Saskatchewan’s coal operations and SaskPower’s future plans. Sensational political rhetoric and inflated public claims are creating unnecessary fear and uncertainty for thousands of workers and families whose livelihoods depend on this industry.
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Statements portraying Saskatchewan’s coal sector as a “catastrophe” or suggesting that these operations are somehow worthless ignore the generations of workers who helped build this province and continue to keep the lights on during periods of growing energy demand and instability across North America.
These types of comments are damaging not only to worker morale, but also to investor confidence, community stability, and the long-term future of coal-producing regions such as Estevan and Coronach. Far too often, opposition politicians speak about coal workers as numbers on a balance sheet instead of recognizing them as highly skilled Saskatchewan men and women supporting families and communities across this province.
The UMWA believes political leaders have a responsibility to present facts responsibly and avoid fear-based narratives that undermine critical industries and the people employed within them. Workers should not become political pawns in partisan debates designed to generate headlines.
We appreciate your continued advocacy for Saskatchewan workers and your recognition of the essential role coal generation continues to play in maintaining a stable and affordable electrical grid. Our union remains committed to working constructively with government and industry to ensure Saskatchewan workers and communities remain protected moving forward.
Sincerely,
Jody Dukart
International Representative
United Mine Workers of America
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