Government should cut ties with smart-meter company: NDP

Smart meters are seen in this photo taken July 31, 2014 in Regina.

Saskatchewan's Opposition continues to call for the government to cut ties with the manufacturer of smart meters linked to at least eight fires in the province.

The fires last summer prompted the province to order SaskPower to remove more than 100,000 of the electronic utility readers that had already been installed in homes.

U.S. manufacturer Sensus is refunding $24 million for all the meters purchased, is crediting SaskPower another $18 million for new meters and providing an extra $5 million for research.

NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon says the government should be reimbursed for the full $47-million cost of the devices.

He says the relationship with Sensus needs to be scrapped.

The Opposition has also been calling for the resignation of Economy Minister Bill Boyd, who is responsible for SaskPower.