REGINA The Saskatchewan government says it will be filing an amicus brief in support of U.S. states fighting President Joe Biden’s decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline. While we have no desire to wade into American politics, we must take every opportunity we can to stand up for Saskatchewan s economy, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Gordon Wyant said in a statement. Wyant said Montana’s attorney general asked the Saskatchewan government to participate in the litigation by providing information on the economic impact of the pipeline’s cancellation on the province. The province said it will hire an American law firm to prepare and file the amicus brief, which the government said is similar to filing intervenor status in Canadian courts.
By Gord Wiebe
May 14, 2021 | 10:53 AM
Saskatchewan will be filing what’s known as an amicus brief in support of 21 States in the U-S, fighting President Biden’s decision to cancel the Keystone XL Pipeline.
The move allows Saskatchewan to appear as a friend of the court, offering information and expertise on a matter before the court.
Justice Minister and Attorney General Gordon Wyant says, “The cancellation of this pipeline will have a significant negative impact on resource sector jobs in Saskatchewan and across North America,” He says. “It will ultimately make the U-S more dependent on rail for Canadian oil imports, which costs more, emits more greenhouse gases, and presents a larger risk to the environment.”
Saskatchewan raises fines for breaching public health orders
SHARE ON: Saskatchewan Legislature [Photo: File]
The Saskatchewan government is raising the maximum fine for breach of the public health orders which have been enacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ruling comes as numerous anti-mask and so-called freedom rallies have been held across the province. Legislators contend that the $2800 fines were not acting as a sufficient deterrent.
The new fines push the penalty for breaching the public health order to a maximum of $7,500 with a 40 per cent surcharge, totalling $10,500.
Groups found to be in breach of the health order can face up to $100,000 with a 40 per cent surcharge. That penalty could total $140,000.
Article content
Measures taken in Saskatchewan’s courts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are causing delays in dealing with provincial offence tickets, including those issued for violations of public health orders.
The courts have at times been unable to proceed with ticket dockets due to the need to comply with COVID-19 public health protocols, Court of Saskatchewan spokeswoman Dawn Blaus said.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or COVID-related tickets on back burner as courts face delays Back to video
“Given the inability of the Court to deal with provincial offence tickets on a regular basis, including those written under The Public Health Act, there is a build-up of matters to be heard in some locations. Sometimes, as a result, new tickets in those locations are often written for a date well into the future and have not yet come under the jurisdiction of the Court,” she said in an email.
Article content
Measures taken in Saskatchewan’s courts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are causing delays in dealing with provincial offence tickets, including those issued for violations of public health orders.
The courts have at times been unable to proceed with ticket dockets due to the need to comply with COVID-19 public health protocols, Court of Saskatchewan spokeswoman Dawn Blaus said.
We apologize, but this video has failed to load.
Try refreshing your browser, or COVID-related tickets on back burner as courts face delays Back to video
“Given the inability of the Court to deal with provincial offence tickets on a regular basis, including those written under The Public Health Act, there is a build-up of matters to be heard in some locations. Sometimes, as a result, new tickets in those locations are often written for a date well into the future and have not yet come under the jurisdiction of the Court,” she said in an email.