Court Dismisses Climate Lawsuit – CJS and Co-Applicants to Consider Next Steps
Climate Justice Saskatoon (CJS) is disappointed by the decision from the Court of King’s Bench, which granted the Government of Saskatchewan and SaskPower’s motions to strike our climate lawsuit. The decision of the Court was released to the parties late in the day on Friday, October 10, 2025.
We joined this legal action to stand with other people, young and old, to challenge government actions that are worsening the climate crisis. This case was an effort to affirm that our constitutional rights to life and security of person apply to government actions that accelerate dangerous climate change and its harmful impacts.
While today’s decision is a setback, it does not change the urgent need for climate justice in Saskatchewan. We remain steadfast in our belief that the province must be held accountable for its role in exacerbating climate harms and its failure to meet its obligations to current and future generations.
Saskatchewan has one of the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions rates in Canada and is one of the worst per capita emitters in the world. Saskatchewan’s emissions have continued to rise despite the urgent need for reductions. The province’s emissions-intensive economy and reliance on power generation via fossil fuels, including fossil gas, put both people and ecosystems at serious risk. This case was brought forward in early 2023 to challenge the government’s ongoing development of new fossil gas electrical generation. The applicants argue that building new fossil gas generation undermines our rights to life and security of the person under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. At its heart, the lawsuit seeks to affirm that the government cannot maintain business as usual – building new fossil gas generation – because new fossil gas generation exacerbates the climate crisis and the harmful impacts that affect all citizens.
Together with our legal counsel, we are reviewing the court’s decision and discussing possible next steps, including avenues for appeal or further legal action. This is just one part of a much larger movement, and we will continue to push for systemic change through advocacy, public engagement, and solidarity with communities working to prevent climate breakdown.
We thank our legal team and everyone who continues to support this work.
Please see the decision attached:
KBG-RG-00848-2023 Dykstra, Sabrina et al v Saskatchewan Power Corporation et al
For more information on the case, see https://www.sustainablesask.ca/court-action.html