Saskatchewan's Crown corporations face growing scrutiny over their financial performance and potential rate increases, despite government claims of delivering affordable services and record infrastructure investments.Crown Investments Corporation released its annual report showing the Crown sector contributed $240 million in dividends to the provincial treasury in 2024-25. The report highlighted what officials called the second lowest utility bundle costs in Canada and unprecedented infrastructure spending of $2.2 billion."Saskatchewan's Crown sector continues to support the continued growth of our province's economy through buying local, investing in infrastructure, and delivering essential services to families, communities, businesses, and industry," said Crown Investments Corporation Minister Jeremy Harrison."Our Crown corporations worked diligently in 2024-25 to deliver some of the most affordable utility costs in the country. The Crowns' record investments in building and maintaining systems continue to support service reliability, local economies, and the demand from growth across the province." Major capital projects included SaskPower's completion of the Great Plains Power Station near Moose Jaw and construction of the Aspen Power Station near Lanigan. .SaskTel expanded its cellular and fibre optic networks across the province.However, the Sask NDP paints a different picture of Crown corporation management. They point to declining profits at key utilities and warn residents should prepare for higher bills.SaskPower's net income dropped by more than $100 million last year while its debt ratio climbed to 76.2%. SaskTel saw profits decline for the fourth straight year."The writing's on the wall," said Aleana Young, Sask NDP Critic for SaskPower. "The Sask Party is mismanaging SaskPower, and it's only a matter of time before they hike rates again.".The SGI Auto Fund recorded its fourth consecutive year of losses in the Rate Stabilization Reserve, losing almost $200 million in 2024-25. SGI Canada paid a dividend to the government despite seeing net earnings decrease by $34.9 million from the previous year.“SGI is supposed to operate the Auto Fund on a break-even basis and keep rates affordable for Saskatchewan families,” said Hugh Gordon, Sask NDP Critic for SGI.“With years of losses in SGI’s rate stabilization fund under the Sask. Party’s watch, Saskatchewan people are going to be forced to pay higher premiums.” SaskEnergy showed improved performance with net revenue increasing significantly. .However, the dividend paid to the government also rose from $20.6 million to $31.8 million.Sask NDP questioned the timing of the report releases, pointing out that all Crown annual reports were published simultaneously rather than staggered through early July as they are normally released."This is a clear attempt to bury bad numbers," said Erika Ritchie, Sask NDP Critic for Crown Investments Corporation. "And once again, it's Saskatchewan families who will pay the price."
