Sask. offering relief to utility customers, tax filers affected by wildfires

REGINA – Saskatchewan’s Crown utilities and Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) are offering temporary relief to customers under a mandatory evacuation order due to northern wildfires.

“Being away from your home and your community is stressful enough without worrying about bill payments or insurance coverage lapsing,” said Premier Brad Wall.

Until Sept. 1, 2015, SaskTel, SaskPower and SaskEnergy are waiving late payments and will not be proceeding with collection action or disconnection of services for non-payment of services due to mandatory evacuation orders.

The Crown utilities will also be providing a future credit amounting to approximately one-months fixed service delivery fees to residents and small and medium business.

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Officials said customers will still be responsible for payment of services being supplied while they are not home, such as electricity being consumed by freezers.

In communities where SaskEnergy has shut off service to the natural gas system, customers will not have consumption charges during this period.

SGI announced any vehicle plates or driver’s licences that are due will not expire because of non-payment of fees or premiums, or because customers are unable to renew their policy.

Insurance policies through SGI Canada already have a grace period written in for evacuations, which covered the duration of evacuations as well as up to 30 days after the mandatory evacuation order has ended.

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Businesses directly impacted by the wildfires are also getting relief from penalties and interest charges for filing later PST returns.

Officials say affected businesses must submit a written request for the waiver of penalties and interest to the Finance Ministry.

Requests should include the business location and outline the circumstances on how the wildfire-related conditions prevented PST returns from being filed on-time.

More information is available from the Finance Ministry.