Premier defends response to smart-meter debacle

REGINA – Saskatchewan’s premier is defending his government’s response to a smart-meter program that led to at least eight fires earlier this year.

Brad Wall says the government has acted transparently amid criticism directed at Economy Minister Bill Boyd.

The Opposition has been calling for Boyd’s resignation, saying that the minister knew about safety concerns and failed to take action soon enough.

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Wall says a review of the program highlighted that SaskPower dropped the ball in certain areas, leading to the resignation of CEO and president Robert Watson.

READ MORE: SaskPower CEO out after report: ‘consumer safety not a priority’

Wall adds that Boyd acted on advice from SaskPower in matters related to the smart-meter program.

Last summer, the province ordered SaskPower to remove more than 100,000 of the newer models that had already been installed.

NDP Leader Cam Broten says Boyd was asleep at the switch, and failed to ask the right questions about smart-meter safety.