NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter says SaskPower's proposed rate increase comes as a blow to families who are already suffering to make ends meet after another 8.5 per cent hike less than a year ago.

"Saskatchewan families, particularly those living on fixed incomes and in rural Saskatchewan can expect to pay somewhere between 7.5 per cent and 8.5 per cent more for their power effective August 1, 2010. For farming families in rural Saskatchewan, the rate increase was 11 per cent in 2009 and the proposed rate increase for 2010 is another 8.8 per cent. So in less than 14 months, farming families in rural Saskatchewan will see their power utility bills sharply increase by 19.8 per cent," said Lingenfelter.

"The Wall Government has told our institutions such as our health regions, school boards and rural nursing homes that there will be a zero per cent increase in the next budget as a result of its own financial incompetence," he said. "At the same time, Wall is informing the public that SaskPower is expecting its customers to pay more for their power utilities. These rate increases will hurt our families. Brad Wall promised rural Saskatchewan that he had their best interests at heart, but his true priorities are not with the people," Lingenfelter said.

"Making life less affordable for Saskatchewan families is one of the promises that Brad Wall is delivering on," Lingenfelter said. "The Wall Government said last fall there would be a 100 per cent rate increase over the next ten years for SaskPower customers and sadly, this is one of the promises he is committed to keeping."

"Saskatchewan is becoming more unaffordable under the Wall Government and it for this reason that many people are saying they don't feel part of this boom. There are not many farmers, including myself, who are expecting a 7.5 per cent return on their investment. Most seniors with income coming from savings in a bank account are not getting 7.5 per cent interest. Costs keep on rising and its getting harder for people to make ends meet," said Lingenfelter.

"The people of Saskatchewan deserve an open and transparent government and a Premier capable of demonstrating strong leadership. The Wall government promised rural Saskatchewan families many things in opposition. After two years of a Sask. Party government led by Brad Wall, rural Saskatchewan is in a worse position than before and rural communities are being taken for granted," Lingenfelter concluded.