SaskPower paid more than $100,000 to Elon Musk-owned internet provider Starlink last year, according to recently released documents. The province published its annual payee disclosure reports for Saskatchewan’s Crown corporations on Thursday. The 229-page report details employee wages, ministerial and board expenses, grants, donations, sponsorships and contributions in addition to payments to suppliers. Speaking to reporters following question period, NDP MLA Erika Ritchie highlighted a particular supplier expense listed under SaskPower – $114,428 to “Starlink Internet.” “At a time when we’re in the middle of a trade war with [the] United States, why do we have payments going to allies and supporters of the Trump administration?” Ritchie asked. “We know that we have a world-class Crown corporation, SaskTel, that offers connectivity services. We’re wondering why this Crown has elected to go to a foreign company to receive services?” In a response to CTV News, the Crown Investments Corporation (CIC) highlighted its efforts in expanding broadband and 5G cellular services, noting that once SaskTel’s Aurora program is completed, SaskTel fibre will cover approximately 85 per cent of households and businesses in the province. The Crown went on to say that in some cases where internet access is not possible through SaskTel, Starlink’s service’s are required. “Even with these significant efforts and investments, there are areas in Saskatchewan where SaskTel is not able to provide cellular or broadband services,” the statement read. “In these instances, including where life and safety could be at risk, arrangements are made to ensure that employees have access to satellite services provided by Starlink to ensure communication is available, such as for emergency medical assistance.” The Starlink network was developed by SpaceX, which is owned by Musk and headquartered in the United States. The network is made up of a low-Earth orbit constellation of satellites that can deliver broadband internet to remote locations with no access to fast and reliable internet service. Several provincial governments across the country have depended on Starlink in the past for communications in rural and remote areas where few alternatives exist. In 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro, the province’s Crown energy corporation, paid the internet provider $200,000 as part of an annual agreement. According to data from the Global Media and Internet Concentration Project, Starlink was Canada’s sixth largest internet service provider in 2023. Starlink’s owner, Elon Musk, is the richest man in the world, with a net worth of nearly $500 billion. Musk was an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump and played a key role in his campaign for re-election. Musk later served as the head of a Trump administration project aimed at making major cuts to government services. The pair’s working relationship ended abruptly in June. The province’s full disclosure report can be found here. -With files from The Canadian Press
