Hon. Warren Kaeding: — Mr. Speaker, to you and through you and to all members of the Assembly, seated in your gallery, I would like to introduce Mr. Vice Skračić, the ambassador extraordinary of Croatia to Canada. He has served in this role since November of 2019. Accompanying him I would like to introduce Mr. Ante Jović, consultant general of Croatia in Mississauga. He has also served in his role since 2019. And lastly I’d like to introduce Irena Čačić, deputy head of mission, embassy of the Republic of Croatia to Canada. She has served in this role since July of 2023.

I was pleased to meet with this delegation earlier today to discuss the very important relationship that our jurisdictions share. They’ve had a very full morning engaging with various ministers, community representatives, and will be attending the food, fuel, and fertilizer summit later today.

Saskatchewan has what the world needs, and I know they will get to see the many highlights that our province has to offer. In 2024 Saskatchewan saw a 19.1 per cent increase year over year in goods exported to Croatia. And over the past five years, Saskatchewan exports to Croatia have additionally grown by 36.2 per cent. Top export commodities include lentils, beans, and chickpeas. Croatia is also a supplier of mining machinery and electrical machinery, including some of which is used right here in Saskatchewan mines.

As we look to strengthen ties abroad, especially throughout Europe, we look forward to continued collaboration between Saskatchewan and Croatia, now and into the future.

Croatia also remains a top tourist destination for Canadian travellers, and I would encourage everyone to visit if you get the chance in the future. I’ve been there and certainly can attest to the beauty of their country. This is the first official visit to Saskatchewan for all three of these representatives, so I’d ask all members to welcome them to the Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Fairview.

Vicki Mowat: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to join in with the minister opposite in welcoming the ambassador and representatives from Croatia here today, welcoming them to our legislature, thank them for taking the time to come and visit the legislature today as well as being at the food, fuel, and fertilizer summit, which I know several of my colleagues and the Leader of the Opposition have had the opportunity to participate in. We appreciate the ongoing trade relationship with your country, and thank you so much for taking the time to join us at the legislature today. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Provincial Secretary.

Hon. Jamie Martens: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I as well would like to welcome the delegation here from Croatia. Thank you so much. Along with my role as Provincial Secretary I get to meet some wonderful people from many other countries. And today I met these three fine individuals and we had a wonderful lunch together and had some great conversation. I learned a lot about Croatia.

And I just wanted to let you know a fun fact about Croatia. The kerchief that I wear today, there was a gentleman in Croatia that has designed the tie that everyone wears — the gentlemen wear in all formal attire — and it was designed off of a kerchief that was designed from Croatia. So Croatia has invented the tie. And the kerchief that I wear today was designed — let me just double check on that one — for the Presidency and Council of European Union. And I’m honoured to be one of the few ladies in Canada to be gifted this and to be wearing this today.

So I thank you and I welcome the delegation here again, and I’d like everyone else to welcome the delegation.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.

Hon. Alana Ross: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Request leave for an extended introduction.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has requested leave for an extended introduction. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Hon. Alana Ross: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, seated in your gallery are some very special guests from this morning’s induction announcement at the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame. Over the years the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame has been able to recognize so many outstanding individuals, and today the class of 2025 was announced.

This year’s inductees share qualities of determination and dedication. They all have exemplified excellence, and I am happy to say their contributions in sports will be acknowledged for many years to come. This year three athletes, two builders, and two teams joined the legacy at the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame.

Joining us today are athletes Julie Foster for rugby; Noah Miller for water polo; Jon Ryan for football, represented by his mother, Barb Ryan, and her grandson Henry. We have hockey builder Brad Hornung who is represented by his mother, Terry; and gymnastics builder Klara Miller and her son Lukas.

We have representatives Deanna Hautz from the Saskatoon Harmony Centre softball team and Ed Bankowski for the Regina Rams. And I would also like to offer a special thanks to Erin and Robb from Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame who are joining us here today as well.

Mr. Speaker, to you and through you, I ask that all members join me in welcoming this year’s inductees and representatives from our hall of fame to their Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Stonebridge.

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to be on my feet to echo the minister’s comments.

We have a history of great athletes in this province, whether it’s Gordie Howe or Patrick Marleau or Colette Bourgonje, just an absolute wealth of amazing individuals who have worked so hard. So thank you to Julie, Noah, Jon, and in their place Barb and Henry, Brad, Klara, Deanna, Ed, and Erin and Robb for the work that you do honouring these people.

We have a lot to be proud of in our province, whether it’s the Roughriders which Jon played for, but certainly it’s great to hear the array of rugby athletes, water polo athletes, so on and so forth. So thanks for representing us on the national and international stage. And I would ask that both sides join me in welcoming them to their Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of CIC [Crown Investments Corporation].

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would like to join with colleagues in welcoming and acknowledging all the folks here today, but I want to single out a couple. I want to single out Barb Ryan and just welcome Barb to her Legislative Assembly, obviously here for the purpose of having Jon and representing Jon at the induction ceremony. But also mother to Erica, Jill, and Steven.

I think all of us in the Assembly probably know all of Barb’s children. And also I want to say this: Barb has done remarkable work in working with our newcomer community here in Saskatchewan, really genuinely remarkable and selfless work. And I want to acknowledge that, Barb, and say thank you for that.

I want to as well acknowledge my buddy, Henry, who I’ve had the chance to introduce here before. But I think everybody knows Henry and knows Henry’s father, Andrew, who is kind of busy right now. But I want to say welcome to both Barb and Henry to your Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Mount Royal.

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, it’s a pleasure to join with the minister and members that have preceded me to welcome Barb Ryan and Henry Scheer to their Assembly here today. It’s an honour to have them here and to celebrate the legacy, remarkable legacy of Jon Ryan to this province and through sport, obviously a wonderful addition to the Saskatchewan hall of fame.

Jon Ryan is a phenomenal athlete, the pride of McLurg School, who was just something else with the Regina Rams and off to the Blue Bombers, and all the way down through the Packers and over to Seattle. One of the only, I think, certainly one of the only Canadian players ever to throw a touchdown in a playoff game as a fake punt. Just a remarkable accomplishment.

But Jon has always been committed, as his family has, to building Saskatchewan. And together with Barb and the family, they’ve built the Jon Ryan Gear Up foundation, as well as the foundation that celebrates and remembers the legacy of his dad, Bob Ryan. That foundation and that scholarship has made a huge difference in the lives of many people within our community and our province.

And as was identified by the minister, Barb Ryan is a powerhouse of good in our community. She works tirelessly to support newcomers throughout the community. She supports so many community initiatives in these foundations and her impact in this province is remarkable. I’m very proud to be her MLA [Member of the Legislative Assembly], Mr. Speaker, and to have her here today as well.

She’s been recognized in the past as a Red Cross Humanitarian of the Year. She’s received an honorary degree from the University of Regina along with Jon Ryan. She’s got a wonderful family — Jill and Erica, Steve and Jon, and it’s a pleasure as well to have her here with her grandson Henry Scheer, who certainly has a family that is deeply involved in the democratic process as well and in our community. So it’s a pleasure to welcome these two leaders to their Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Humboldt-Watrous.

Racquel Hilbert: — I would like to request leave for an extended invitation.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has requested leave for an extended introduction. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Racquel Hilbert: — To you and through you, I wish to welcome the students and staff from HCI. HCI is Humboldt Collegiate Institute. It’s my home town, born and raised. Very proud to have them here today.

You will see Mr. Millette and you will see Mr. Rowe in the gallery. And what I will say is — this might age both of us — but Mr. Rowe used to be my English teacher. And I do plan to meet you all after question period, and I am looking forward to it. Welcome to your Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Rochdale.

Joan Pratchler: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to welcome some child care providers who are here from our core area in Regina, Prairie Lily Early Learning Centre, the Sacred Heart location. They are Chantara, Jessica, and Madison, and they provide services to many of our most vulnerable intensive-needs children in the core area of Regina, and they are responsible for over 51 spaces for child care here in Regina. And I’d like to ask everyone to join me in welcoming them to their legislature.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to join with the member for Regina Rochdale in also welcoming Chantara, Jessica, and Madison who are here today for the proceedings. Thank you for the work that Prairie Lily child care is doing and, as the member mentioned, the 51 spaces that they offer to children and families here in Regina and surrounding area. Very much appreciative of the work that they do. And of course there’s been a lot of discussion and debate about the government’s commitment to the federal $10‑a-day child care deal and the steps moving forward. So I’d like to invite them to their Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Walsh Acres.

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to take a brief moment to welcome two individuals who are seated in the east gallery. My new CA, constituency assistant, Ren Smith — my first opportunity to introduce her in the House here. I just want to say thank you to Ren for helping in the office over the last month and a bit, and helping get things rolling and keeping me going. And also I want to acknowledge Bre Litzenberger also, beside Ren there, CA for Mr. Burki . . . or the member from Regina Coronation Park, my twin. Whoops.

[13:45]

But anyways I just want to acknowledge these two great people for the work that they’ve done in our office, and I ask all members to join me in welcoming to their Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Advanced Education.

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I request leave for an extended introduction.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has requested leave for an extended introduction. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, it is my pleasure to introduce some of the members of the 2024‑25 Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Student Council. Seated in your gallery, Mr. Speaker, are student council members Bashar Moolla, Emmy Maghilom, Janhavi Pandya, Maliha Khan, and Trynda Wilderman. They join us from the University of Regina, from Campion College, Luther College, and Sask Polytech.

Mr. Speaker, I had the pleasure of meeting with these students and other council members back in February when they gathered in Regina for an all-day meeting. I was very impressed with their passion for post-secondary education and for the province. I found their aspirations for the future to be inspiring. They are the future of Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker. And I must say, I feel very confident in the success of our province with students like this leading the way.

These students attended their last council meeting a few weeks ago. I want to personally thank them for taking time out of their very busy lives over the past several months to meet with ministry officials and share their insights and opinions. I can guarantee my ministry is listening very closely to their feedback.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in welcoming this very impressive group of students to their Legislative Assembly this afternoon.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon University-Sutherland.

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I would like to join the minister opposite to welcome Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Student Council. Thank you very much for your advocacy. I really appreciate the work you do for students. And I would like to meet you pretty soon, so I will ask all the members to join me to welcome to their legislature.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to take my feet briefly to join in the welcome of three familiar faces that are seated in your gallery. And I don’t want to embarrass them too much. I didn’t even know they’d be here today. But Jessica, Chantara, and Maddie have had the pleasure of watching my kids, of caring for my kids over the years.

I was very fortunate to get into Prairie Lily when I had my first. I think Maddie kind of started in the baby room around the same time that I had my eldest in that room. So you know, she is something of a kid herself at heart but knows how to be firm with those kids for sure. Jessica, her patience and her kindness especially with the littles. She definitely cared for my youngest, Éamon. And then Chantara, a leader in the facility and an educator herself.

I debated finding my feet to welcome them because I know they’re here on their own advocacy. Indeed we’ve seen people in the gallery almost every day since session began, advocating around child care. But I think it’s important to take a moment to acknowledge the work that early learning and child care providers do each and every day. And we don’t always have a moment to say thank you when we’re busy picking up or dropping off or in the chaos of that busy workday.

So I just wanted to take a moment to thank them for what they do. They are the profession that educates all future professions, as the slogan on the SECA [Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association] poster they have up in their facility says. And it’s true. And the work they do is important and it’s valued. And I just wanted to thank them and join in the welcome, and invite all others to join me again in welcoming them to their Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina South Albert.

Aleana Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Request leave for extended introduction.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has requested leave for an extended introduction. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Aleana Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you to all members, I wanted to take my sessional opportunity to introduce to his legislature my dad, Don Young, who’s seated in the east gallery and I promised I would not introduce. But, Mr. Speaker, I do try and introduce him at least once a session. He’s here also on his own accord.

Every so often, as a passionate and lifelong student of politics, both here in Canada — Western Canada in particular and across the world — every time my dad’s here, I try and share one interesting fact about him, because he’s a pretty cool guy, Mr. Speaker. Of course, unrelated to the good fortune that he has in having me as his daughter.

But my dad, here are a couple cool facts about my dad. He has worked and hung out with Dana White of UFC [Ultimate Fighting Championship] fame, and he’s also traversed the Amazon with Médecins Sans Frontières. He’s hiked the Klondike pass — how many times back and forth? — seven times back and forth, Mr. Speaker. And he has travelled by water from Winnipeg to Hudson Bay. The mosquitoes up there, I understand, are nothing short of deadly.

But beyond that, Mr. Speaker, on the subject of child care, the most important role that my dad plays in my life right now is as an incredibly proud and incredibly engaged grandfather to my two children, Hara and Kit. They know him as Pops. And the joy that I feel when he comes to our front door and their tiny footsteps rather loudly echo through my house as they scream, “Pops, Pops, Pops, Pops,” it makes my icy little heart grow at least three sizes.

Mr. Speaker, I recognize how lucky I am to have my dad in my life and to have the grandfather of my kids in their life. It’s such an important relationship. Not just in the ease that it provides to me when I say, “Hey, Dad, I have to go meet with like the Western Canadian Short Line Railway Association. Can you look after the kids tonight?” but the joy that they take in knowing their grandpa and having him tell them stories and play with them every day. And for that I am so thankful.

Whole bunch of other cool stuff about him, but I’ve been on my feet long enough, Mr. Speaker. So with that I’d ask all members to join me in welcoming my dad to this, his Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I just wanted to recognize our friends, the diplomats from Croatia as well. We had an enjoyable time for me, being reminded of a time I actually got caught behind . . . I was in Yugoslavia for some foolish reason during the war, and the Croatians were very kind to me that day. And I was reminded of some of the difficulties that your country was going through those days.

And you gave very wise, encouraging words for our nation. And you know, to see how Croatia and all of those nations have found their feet and have, you know, encouraged the world. I just want to thank you for those moments of encouragement this morning and hope that your time here in Canada, you’re treated as well as I was treated in your country.

One other comment. The microphones are live, and we have the SSTI [Saskatchewan Social Sciences Teachers’ Institute on Parliamentary Democracy] team all with their — what do you call those? — headsets on at the building parallel to ours. And so if we hit the mikes with our papers, remember that that can blow up the ears of Hansard, so just keep that in mind. And hello to all the SSTI people on the other end of the line there.

So with that, I will move into presenting petitions.

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Pasqua.

Bhajan Brar: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: that as both the Provincial Auditor and the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association have observed, approximately 3,000 Sask Housing units are currently vacant across Saskatchewan; that some of the units require renovation, but the Sask Party government has cut the maintenance and renovation budget approximately 40 per cent over the last decade and failed to invest in the housing stock; that thousands of people in Saskatchewan are unhoused; according to provincial point-in-time counts, those numbers are growing year by year; that the vast majority of unhoused people in Saskatchewan are Indigenous; that the province’s expenditures on emergency hotels, which have risen year over year, is one example of the cost of the Saskatchewan Party government’s failure to maintain the public housing stock.

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request the Legislative Assembly call upon the Government of Saskatchewan to renovate Sask Housing units that require renovation, make units available and affordable, and ensure that all currently vacant Sask Housing units are occupied.

The signatories of the petition reside in Regina. I do so present. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Coronation Park.

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: the evidence shows that older adults in Saskatchewan want to age in their homes and communities; that the factors that drive older adults from their homes often goes beyond their health needs, and a provincial subsidized home support program could help older adults with practical needs; that providing supports for the older adults in their homes comes at significantly lower cost than providing institutionalized care; that other jurisdictions have successfully implemented home support programs that reduce the strain on the long-term care and improve the outcomes of the older adults.

We, in the prayer that read as follows, respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to work with older adults, stakeholders, and municipalities to design a home support program that will allow seniors to age with dignity and autonomy in their homes and communities.

Mr. Speaker, the signatory of this petition reside in Saskatoon. I do so present.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Westview.

April ChiefCalf: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present this petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan calling upon the Government of Saskatchewan to designate the west lawn as the Chief Piapot Cultural Learning Grounds.

The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: Chief Piapot was an influential leader for First Nations on Treaty 4 land who brought his fight for treaty rights to a camp located at what is now the legislative grounds; in 2018 the Justice for Our Stolen Children camp stood for 197 days on the west lawn, bringing national and international attention to systemic discrimination of Indigenous peoples; in 2020 the group Walking with Our Angels walked 630 kilometres to the west lawn, where Tristen Durocher carried out a grieving ceremony and fast in response to government inaction on suicide prevention; the west lawn has become a site for Indigenous expression due to its proximity to the Legislative Assembly; and officially designating the site as such would facilitate the ongoing process of reconciliation.

And with that, Mr. Speaker, I will read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly call upon the government to recognize the west lawn of the legislative grounds as the Chief Piapot Cultural Learning Grounds, a designated site for cultural celebration, education, Indigenous ceremony, and peaceful demonstration.

The signatories to this petition reside in Duck Lake, Canwood, and Edenwold. I do so present. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Northeast.

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition calling for the repeal of Bill 137.

The undersigned residents wish to bring to our attention that queer and trans youth are at higher risk of homelessness, self-harm, and suicide, and when denied access to safe and inclusive learning environments, this becomes severe. The education parents’ bill of rights directs educators to non-consensually out these students, which is against STF [Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation] bylaws and counsellor’s ethic codes, as we all know. Bill 137 is in direct contravention of evidence-based practices. Bill 137 has resulted in reported self-harm rates that are going up.

So I will read the prayer:

The undersigned residents call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately repeal Bill 137 and ensure that all 2SLGBTQI+ students are supported and protected in accordance with our Sask human rights code.

The undersigned residents reside in Saskatoon. I do so present.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

[14:00]

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m on my feet to present a petition calling on the Government of Saskatchewan to renew the federal-provincial child care agreement.

The signatories of this petition wish to bring to the Sask Party government’s attention that the federal government renewed its $10‑a-day child care agreement with 11 other provinces and territories until 2031. Saskatchewan is one of only two provinces that have not renewed this agreement. Child care operators, parents, and agreements have all voiced their concern; they know that affordable and accessible child care is critical for families, our economy, for jobs, and for the future of the province.

In addition to giving kids a good start in life, licensed child care centres have contributed to the local economy by providing local jobs, opportunities for professional development, and by allowing parents to join or rejoin that workforce. And without access to affordable and accessible and high-quality child care, families will be forced to leave the workforce, which will have impacts on our economies and communities for years to come.

I’ll read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately renew the federal-provincial child care agreement to save jobs, help families, and boost our economy.

The signatories reside in Prince Albert, Mr. Speaker. I do so present.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Canora-Pelly.

Business Serves the Heavy Construction Industry

Sean Wilson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every journey requires taking a critical first step in a promising direction. Back in 1965 Nick Korpan did just that when he founded Korpan Tractor & Parts in Saskatoon. Nick saw potential back then in the Saskatchewan road building industry.

His efforts and initiative were passed on to his sons Bobby and Ray Korpan. Today Korpan Tractor is a third-generation business with Tyler and Brian Korpan that has achieved the notable milestone of celebrating 60 years of business in 2025. In the last 60 years, the story of Saskatchewan’s road building, construction, resources, and infrastructure can be directly linked to Korpan and its construction within the industry.

Since first opening the doors, the company’s growth has been progressive and deliberate. Korpan began by selling undercarriage parts for all makes of crawlers. With the succession of the business moving into the hands of Ray and Bobby, business had doubled within 12 months and the need to expand the offering was ever present.

In 1985 the business moved to their existing location on Idylwyld Drive. Today the business is comprised within two locations in Saskatoon, with 45,000 feet of shop space and seven acres of real estate.

Overall the company employs over 35 staff and can be considered a key component to the heavy construction industry in Western Canada. From its very beginning, Korpan Tractor considers themselves a strong Saskatchewan enterprise. Congratulations to Korpan Tractor. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Southeast.

Organization Works to End Human Trafficking

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize the incredible work of Nashi, a volunteer-driven organization that is dedicated to ending human trafficking both locally and globally. I would especially like to congratulate them on their 18th annual successful, sold-out Perogy Paradise fundraiser that myself and a number of my colleagues were lucky enough to attend.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan has the third-highest rate of human trafficking in all of Canada. That’s why the efforts of organizations like Nashi deserve recognition and support. Their Perogy Paradise fundraiser serves as a vital source of funding and ensures that this selfless organization can continue its powerful work.

Based out of Saskatchewan, Nashi provides funding for Ukraine’s Maple Leaf House. The Maple Leaf House is a safe haven that houses, educates, and supports at-risk youth. Sadly due to the instability in Ukraine, Nashi has had to move their girls to Poland. Their top priority is keeping girls safe.

It’s more important now than ever that we stand with Ukraine and support organizations like Nashi. I’d like to ask all members to join me in thanking Nashi and their dedicated volunteers for their unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, advocating in the fight against human trafficking, and for the hope they bring to so many girls in Ukraine.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Moosomin-Montmartre.

Community Wellness Bus Supports Vulnerable People

Kevin Weedmark: — Mr. Speaker, yesterday I was honoured to be in Saskatoon to announce the rollout of the community wellness bus project on behalf of our government.

There are three buses, one each in Saskatoon, Prince Albert, and Regina. These buses were designed with input from health care workers, and I got to speak with some of those who helped create the plan for the buses and make the project a reality. And it was clear from my conversations yesterday that the people who worked on that project are proud of their role in bringing a new health care service to reality. I want to thank all those who were involved in the project for their contributions.

These buses will focus on delivering health care to vulnerable populations by providing primary care and mental health and addictions supports. The first bus is now operating in Regina, the bus in Saskatoon will roll out tomorrow, and the one in P.A. [Prince Albert] will be online shortly.

Teams on each bus include a nurse practitioner, a licensed practical nurse, and an assessor coordinator who can offer crisis interventions and referrals to supports, including housing and social services.

Mr. Speaker, providing care where and when people need it is making a difference, whether through the new urgent care centres, through breast health centres, through complex needs shelters, or through these new community wellness buses. Mr. Speaker, I’m proud of our government’s efforts to improve health care, and the community wellness bus project is another concrete step to ensure that people across the province can get the health care they need. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Rochdale.

Showing Solidarity with Ukrainian Refugees

Joan Pratchler: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to remind ourselves that February 24th marked three years since Russia’s military invasion into Ukraine. In those last three years around 8,000 Ukrainians have fled the war and come to make a home here in Saskatchewan. They are our neighbours, they are our friends, and they are in our hearts always.

And so we must continue to stand strong and show solidarity with Ukraine, particularly in the face of Donald Trump’s attempts to sow seeds of division. I can’t re-emphasize enough that as Canadians we must always stand with victims of war who are forcibly displaced. If Donald Trump does decide to make the abhorrent and unconscionable decision to deport 250,000 Ukrainian refugees back to an active war zone, we must do what we can to open our arms and our hearts to them.

I ask that you join me in recognizing the ongoing strength, resilience of these Ukrainian refugees in our Saskatchewan communities.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cut Knife-Turtleford.

Award-Winning Cattle Breeders Have Left a Mark

James Thorsteinson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to extend my congratulations to constituents Barry and Elaine Ducherer of the River Hill Farm on being awarded the prestigious Canadian Speckle Park Association Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024.

Mr. Speaker, this award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the Speckle Park breed and the broader cattle industry. The Canadian Speckle Park Association recognized Barry and Elaine for their tireless dedication, innovative practices, and unwavering passion for Speckle Park cattle that has left an incredible mark on the breed’s history and success.

Mr. Speaker, River Hill Farm has become a cornerstone of the Speckle Park community, which has earned respect and admiration from breeders across the country and beyond. The efforts of Barry and Elaine have not only advanced the quality and reputation of Speckle Park cattle but have also inspired a new generation of cattle breeders to follow in their footsteps.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that all members of this Assembly join me in congratulating Barry and Elaine Ducherer and River Hill Farm on their Canadian Speckle Park Association Lifetime Achievement Award win and thank them for their remarkable contributions to the cattle industry and our province. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Meewasin.

Celebrating the Right to Strike

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. On January 30, 2025 Canada marked 10 years of the right to strike, a victory led by Saskatchewan workers.

Mr. Speaker, in 2007 the newly elected Saskatchewan Party government shamefully chose confrontation over collaboration, introducing Bill 5, The Public Service Essential Services Act and Bill 6, The Trade Union Amendment Act. These laws were seen as an ideological attack on organized labour. By 2008 both bills became law, prompting multiple unions and the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, led by president Larry Hubich, to file complaints with the International Labour Organization.

In 2010 the ILO [International Labour Organization] ruled that the bills violated international law protecting the right to organize. Mr. Speaker, in 2012 the Saskatchewan Court of Queen’s Bench ruled parts of Bill 5 unconstitutional, but this was overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2013.

The SFL [Saskatchewan Federation of Labour], with support from intervenors, took the fight all the way to the Court of Canada. In 2015 the Supreme Court ruled in SFL v. Saskatchewan that Bill 5 was unconstitutional, affirming the constitutional right to strike. The ruling underscored that striking is essential to meaningful collective bargaining, providing workers leverage in negotiations. This landmark decision reshaped labour rights not only in Saskatchewan but across Canada.

On January 30, 2025 we celebrated 10 years of the right to strike in Canada. It was a historic win. To everyone who fought for this right, thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Martensville-Blairmore.

Student Council Provides Valuable Feedback

Hon. Jamie Martens: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, when students succeed, Saskatchewan succeeds. The best way to help students succeed is by listening to what they need and learning about their experiences. That’s why our government created the Saskatchewan Post-Secondary Student Council.

Mr. Speaker, this student council connects governments directly with current post-secondary students who represent diverse backgrounds, multiple communities, and varying areas of study. They attend a wide range of post-secondary institutions across Saskatchewan and demonstrate exceptional leadership skills. Through the council, these students share valuable feedback and perspectives on a variety of higher education topics with government officials.

Mr. Speaker, as we heard moments ago, a few of these incredible students are here today. They are officially wrapped up in the council’s second year and are celebrating the achievements by attending their Legislative Assembly.

The students have had the opportunity to discuss many important post-secondary-related topics, including financing post-secondary education and enhancing student success. They also provide practical feedback on ministry tools, including the Advanced Education student portfolio and the Saskatchewan post-secondary graduate outcomes survey.

Mr. Speaker, engaging students in conversation about their post-secondary experience allows us to use their feedback to better support post-secondary education in this province. Our government appreciates the feedback that we’re receiving through the council and looks forward to welcoming a new group of students this fall. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

QUESTION PERIOD

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Fairview.

Provincial Budget and Response to Tariffs

Vicki Mowat: — Financial anxiety in Saskatchewan is higher than anywhere else in the country. Poll after poll makes that clear. Despite that, this Sask Party government has no plan to make life more affordable. Their tax cut does next to nothing until next year. No plan to address the trade war. No plan to build affordable housing. No plan to get our products to market, and on and on.

My question is simple: what exactly is this government doing all day? Because it certainly isn’t standing up for Saskatchewan.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Jim Reiter: — There’s a lot of things to address in there, Mr. Speaker. First of all, the member opposite says that there’s no plan to deal with the tariffs. I tabled that plan in the legislature last week. The members opposite voted for that plan in the floor of this Legislative Assembly.

Mr. Speaker, on affordability, happy to discuss that. The member already mentioned the income tax cuts, Mr. Speaker, is going to put $3,400 more into the pockets of a family of four; $3,100 into a senior citizens couple. And the list goes on. But possibly the most notable one recently, Mr. Speaker, is Saskatchewan, the only carbon tax-free jurisdiction in the country.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Vicki Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, the budget put forward by this government is pure fantasy. They overshot the price of oil by at least $10 per barrel. Oil dropped below $60 today. There is no consideration on the impact of Trump’s global tariffs on trade, on the cost of goods, on the revenues that we need to fund schools and hospitals.

How can this Premier have the audacity to rise in this House, say everything is fine, nothing to see here, when his so-called surplus budget is now covered in red ink?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Finance.

[14:15]

Hon. Jim Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, we are eight days into this fiscal year, and the members opposite want to rewrite the budget already.

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — I am going to warn the members that I’m watching for the ones who are the loudest. I don’t know if you noticed, but some people have to have their earbuds on to hear because there’s so much noise in the Chamber. So I would expect that when the minister is giving his response, we’re all going to be listening carefully.

Hon. Jim Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, we are eight days into this fiscal year, and the members opposite want to rewrite the budget already. The oil price was based on projections from industry. We are in the middle of a tariff war. Those prices are based on an average for the entire year, Mr. Speaker — the entire fiscal year, not eight days in.

Mr. Speaker, we are in uncharted territory. We’re concerned about, we’ve made no secret of the fact that an extended tariff war could have a significant impact on the budget, Mr. Speaker.

But in the . . . Well they’re talking about BC [British Columbia]. Interesting, Mr. Speaker. BC, who chose to have massive deficits. The NDP [New Democratic Party] BC who chose to renege on campaign commitments from their last election, Mr. Speaker. We chose a different path. Donald Trump is not going to control our budget. We met all our campaign platform commitments.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Minister’s Position in Cabinet

Vicki Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, I’m proud to be the shadow minister of Health and to rise in this House day after day on behalf of patients and front-line health care workers. Health care is a critical piece of government business. More than $8 billion is spent annually. But sadly, it’s been driven into last place in Canada under that Premier and that minister.

Now I’m shocked to see the same minister jet-setting to Ottawa to chum it up with Conservatives during what is likely the soft launch of his campaign to replace the Premier. When he runs for leader, will the Minister of Health resign from cabinet?

Speaker Goudy: — I would warn the member that you can’t be accusing and throwing out things like . . . It’s to deal with the government’s business, nothing about . . . Yeah. Please restate another question.

Vicki Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, when the Minister of Health is spending his time in Ottawa to launch his campaign, is he . . . to the soft launch of his campaign for premier, Mr. Speaker, will he resign from cabinet?

Speaker Goudy: — Call me naive, but I don’t understand how this has to do with government business. Move on to another question.

I recognize the member from Regina Mount Royal.

Provincial Budget and Response to Tariffs

Trent Wotherspoon: — Mr. Speaker, this budget isn’t worth the paper that it’s written on. None of their economic or fiscal projections accounted for tariffs, Mr. Speaker. There’s no supports for people or for producers or for industries, and markets are in free fall. The impact on our finances could be significant.

How much more does the Finance minister need to see before he admits that his budget should be in the shredder? When will we see a real plan to protect Saskatchewan people from this chaos?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Jim Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, I think my microphone’s working. The members have asked the same question day after day, and I’ve given the same answer day after day. There is a plan. They voted for it on the floor of this Assembly. I tabled it last week. I’d be happy to table it again, Mr. Speaker.

The fact of the matter is again the members opposite, eight days into the fiscal year, Mr. Speaker, and they want to rewrite the budget. We are in uncharted territory. The price of oil is down; it’s concerning. The price of potash is up. Mr. Speaker, do they want to rewrite the budget then again?

Mr. Speaker, we have a good budget. We’re proud of the budget. It’s the only balanced budget in the country.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Mount Royal.

Trent Wotherspoon: — Mr. Speaker, we didn’t wait for day eight. Mr. Speaker, we said on day one this budget was nonsense. Markets are crashing. Oil’s down. People’s savings are evaporating.

According to the Sask Party’s own budget that they of course recklessly jacked up oil price — way higher than next door Alberta — if these oil prices held we’d have a $180 million hit to the budget, not to mention the losses in the funds such as SGI [Saskatchewan Government Insurance] has, WCB [Workers’ Compensation Board], or pensions. Lower revenues and investment losses leads to higher deficits.

Why is the Finance minister clinging to his fairy-tale budget? Why won’t he admit that the fake surplus is long gone? Why won’t he step up with a real budget and plan that steps up for Saskatchewan people?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Jim Reiter: — Because we’re eight days into the fiscal year, Mr. Speaker. And the members opposite are pulling the fire alarm again. They want to compare how Saskatchewan’s doing to the rest of the country? How about this: NDP BC had a credit down-rating after their budget, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, we, Saskatchewan has the best credit rating in the country of all provinces. And what about the job report released on Friday? We are leading the nation with a 3.4 per cent job growth rate. Mr. Speaker, we also have the lowest unemployment rate in the country at 4.9.

Mr. Speaker, there’s lots of challenges ahead with this ridiculous tariff war, but we’re prepared to take those on. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Mount Royal.

Federal Policies and Support for Producers

Trent Wotherspoon: — The hard-earned savings of Saskatchewan people, retirees, has evaporated and that minister mocks while they laugh, Mr. Speaker. Producers take a hit, Mr. Speaker . . .

Speaker Goudy: — Member, I’d ask that you don’t throw out words like “mocks.” I don’t know who you feel he’s mocking. But please, please. I would just ask that we all show a little more decorum and question our ministers with proper language. Thank you.

Trent Wotherspoon: — Serious question. So the facts. Serious question about evaporated hard-earned savings. Fact: laughter from the side opposite, Mr. Speaker. Producers who are paying the price for Chinese tariffs, Mr. Speaker.

Now let’s look at those Chinese tariffs, Mr. Speaker, that are devastating to producers in this province. They were signalled, of course, in August of last year. Now they’ve become a reality. This has been moving down the tracks like a slow-moving train. And it’s frustrating that we haven’t seen sufficient action by the federal government to get these tariffs lifted, including scrapping the EV [electric vehicle] tariffs that have been placed on China to make that happen.

But then this morning in a media scrum, we also learned the Sask Party government has been sitting on its hands, only just now reaching out to the Chinese ambassador. Why did it take this government so long to lift a finger while producers are left paying the price?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, that’s simply not the case. I was asked this morning as to what we have done at the provincial level, of which I quickly answered that we have reached out to not only the Canadian ambassador to China but the Chinese ambassador to Canada, as well as a number of sub-national leaders to set up a phone call so that we can educate and advocate on behalf of the trade relationship that we have, on behalf of agriculture, canola farmers here in the province of Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker.

It’s far more than any federal leader has done, in particular the prime minister of Canada has been supported by the NDP for the last number of years, Mr. Speaker, with policies that are not only problematic to our agricultural industry in this province but to the general industries that are creating wealth in this province, creating wealth for Saskatchewan communities and Saskatchewan families, Mr. Speaker.

As we face a very chaotic time — where one gentleman is responsible for tariffs not only on Canada but to virtually every other trading country and partner around the world — what we see in this province is we can be thankful that we have a balanced budget introduced on the floor of this Assembly, Mr. Speaker.

We have in this province the highest credit rating of any province in the nation of Canada, the lowest unemployment rate, and the highest rate of job growth, Mr. Speaker. The advocacy, the work that we have been doing, that started in November 2007 when the Saskatchewan Party had the honour to form government, Mr. Speaker, is showing results today.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Mount Royal.

Trent Wotherspoon: — Well, Mr. Speaker, the Premier is getting on a plane and heading off to join a separatist agenda with Preston Manning, while he lifts up the phone to make a phone call to the Chinese, Mr. Speaker . . .

Speaker Goudy: — I’m going to ask the member to apologize and withdraw. The Premier is heading . . . Please, you know what you said.

Trent Wotherspoon: — I would apologize and withdraw.

Speaker Goudy: — And as you move forward, please stay away from that line of questioning.

Trent Wotherspoon: — Okay, so the Premier is departing and leaving to go to a conference with Preston Manning, who has advocated for separatism. At the same time, producers are paying the price and all he’s done is picking up a phone now, Mr. Speaker? That’s pathetic and weak.

Mr. Speaker, he said this morning that he’s just looking into what supports might be there for producers. And of course we see in the budget right here that they have nothing there to support initiatives like AgriStability and some new supports to make sure producers have the backstop they deserve. They’ve had these warnings since August, and again they haven’t lifted a finger. Or maybe they lifted the wrong finger, Mr. Speaker.

There’s no doubt that Ottawa has a big role in addressing this mess, but so does that Premier. Why won’t he do his job and have the backs of producers in this situation?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Agriculture.

Hon. Daryl Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry is in the line of fire because of tariffs Canada put on Chinese EVs. My predecessor saw this coming and wrote to the federal government last September. We’ve written to the federal government twice since then, urging them to prioritize negotiating with China and seek a solution.

It was disappointing to see the Prime Minister not honour his commitment to directly engage with China before calling a federal election. Once again, Western Canada is left with empty promises from a federal government who would rather support a non-existent Canadian EV market than our producers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina University.

National Unity and Support for Trade Infrastructure

Sally Housser: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A Canadian prime minister once said:

At a time of global economic instability . . . Government must stand unequivocally for keeping the country together. At a time like this, a coalition with separatists cannot help Canada.

So I ask the Premier, does he agree with Stephen Harper? And if so, will he still be sharing a stage in Ottawa with those who are stoking separatism at this time of economic uncertainty?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of CIC.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I can tell you where we stand. We stand in favour of getting more pipelines built in this country. We stand in favour of getting rid of the carbon tax, Mr. Speaker. We stand in favour of the one party, I stand in favour of the one party that has that position right now with an opportunity to form government.

They owe this answer, Mr. Speaker. They can’t say that they are in favour of pipelines and opposed to the carbon tax and then vote for a party or two parties that are going to keep both of those two policies in place. Mr. Speaker, they owe it to this public of this province. Who are they going to be supporting: Jagmeet Singh or Mark Carney?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina University.

Sally Housser: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The members opposite profess to be on Team Canada, but there always seems to be some kind of caveat. Every industry in this province and this country is calling for trade-enabling infrastructure that runs coast to coast, but they don’t seem interested in a path to tidewater, Mr. Speaker. They seem more interested in their buddy Danielle Smith’s path to a referendum that will put our unity, our sovereignty, and our economy at risk.

Will someone from the government commit to pick up the phone, talk to Premier Smith, and actually advocate for our need to build so we can stop this talk of tearing apart?

Speaker Goudy: — I just want to remind, too, the government that their role is to answer the questions and not be asking the questions. And so I would recognize the Minister of Crown Investments Corporation.

[14:30]

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Thank you very, very much, Mr. Speaker. I can tell you what we stand for on this side of the House, and we’ve been very clear. Bill C‑69 needs to go. This is the no-more-pipelines law that is in place and was put in place by the Government of Canada. That law, two federal parties have said, is going to remain in place. Those two federal parties are the New Democratic Party of Canada and the Liberal Party of Canada.

Only one party has committed to repealing Bill C‑69, which is the biggest single impediment to getting pipelines built in this country. You cannot say, Mr. Speaker, that you are in favour of trade-enabling infrastructure and vote for a party that’s going to keep Bill C‑69 in place. We proudly stand to get rid of Bill C‑69, get pipelines built, and get rid of the carbon tax. And we are taking action, Mr. Speaker, and we have a plan that is working — the best job creation record in the entire country.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Government Procurement and US Contracts

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, fact: this Sask Party government has extended a $60 million deal with American company LifeLabs without a competitive process. Fact: LifeLabs contributed at least $30,000 to this government’s political campaigns over the last decade.

Yesterday I asked the Minister of Health to release . . .

Speaker Goudy: — Member, you know that I’ve ruled that offside. Please continue on and don’t be talking about donations to political parties, please.

Meara Conway: — Yesterday I asked the Minister of Health to release any and all current contracts with LifeLabs. The minister ducked my questions to release those contracts repeatedly. So I’ll ask him again today: will he make public every contract between the Government of Saskatchewan or the SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority] and LifeLabs before the end of business today?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, fact: the contract that the Saskatchewan Health Authority awarded to LifeLabs back in 2018 was awarded through a competitive process. Fact: extension clauses are built into that competitively awarded contract. We have used one of those extensions and extended the contract another year, again to ensure continuity of service to patients in Regina and Saskatoon. Three thousand people a day in those two cities visit LifeLabs services, Mr. Speaker. We’re not going to put those services at risk over that member’s attempt to score political points. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I’d ask the member to withdraw and apologize.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — I’ll withdraw and apologize.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, also fact: the minister refers to an extension clause that no one has seen because he won’t release the contract. No transparency, just more backroom deals from this government. We’ve seen this movie before, and no one is asking for a sequel, Mr. Speaker.

If the minister won’t release the LifeLabs contract, I have to ask, why? Is he trying to protect his friends? Is he trying to protect himself? Or is he . . .

Speaker Goudy: — Please. Apologize and withdraw that “protecting the friends” comment, please.

Meara Conway: — I apologize and withdraw, Mr. Speaker. And you know, I’m rewriting this question on the fly because we now can’t ask about leadership races, so I’ll ask this: will the minister fulfill . . .

Speaker Goudy: — I would ask the member to . . . You may feel that I’m being unfair, but I feel that I’m being fair. And so I’d ask you to rephrase the question, please.

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Health focus on some of the basic requirements of his job, such as releasing contracts that he’s entered into? Surely this is information that taxpayers of Saskatchewan are entitled to as they are now on the hook for this contract to the tune of $60 million.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, I’d just like to summarize some of the tariff response plan that we’ve been working on as a government with other provinces, Mr. Speaker, is how we as provinces respond to, you know, the very chaotic tariffs that are being put in place by one gentleman who happens to be the president of the United States.

As part of that plan, and part of a response plan that was tabled on the floor of this Assembly — supported by all members — was to look at our procurement, all of our procurement opportunities, Mr. Speaker, and if there are opportunities to procure Canadian sources to provide those services without interruptions of those services. In particular when it comes to health care services, health care services that people in this province and across the nation, I would say, are very much aware of the importance of those services in a post-pandemic world, as we across this nation are procuring all of the opportunities we have to provide those services, whether they be access to a surgery, access to a primary health care provider, Mr. Speaker, in this case access to diagnostics.

That’s why in this particular case that contract extension, Mr. Speaker, we have exercised so that we can look at this contract like we are looking at all other contracts across government. And if there are opportunities to replace them with like provisions, Mr. Speaker, like providers, like services for a similar cost, we are going to make those decisions. However we are not going to interrupt the services, in particular when it comes to health care, that are offered to the people of Saskatchewan.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, this is a very straightforward ask. This government is saying they take local procurement seriously, and they have acknowledged that just Monday they extended, without a competitive process, a newly American company, LifeLabs. It used to be Canadian; now it is American. And they have extended it without any competition, and now they are refusing to release the details of that contract. At a time like this, this is information that Saskatchewan people are entitled to.

So again, yes or no, will the minister release this contract so the public can decide for themselves whether this was a reasonable decision? Yes or no?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — That member gets up in this House every single day and says that this contract was awarded not through a competitive process. That is not the case, Mr. Speaker. This contract was awarded in 2018 through a competitive process. The extension clauses are part of that contract. That is normal course of business with many contracts across government, Mr. Speaker.

You know, Mr. Speaker, it’s important to note — I mentioned this yesterday — you know, the NDP when they were in government back in 2004 they saw fit to contract out community lab services to a company that was US [United States]-owned at that time, Mr. Speaker. If it was good enough for the . . .

Speaker Goudy: — You know . . . all right. Member from Meewasin, I hear your voice quite often. Please. I appreciate your input in to the . . .

And this side, the word “disgusting.” I don’t know where that came from, but let’s show decorum here.

And Minister of Health, please finish your response.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I said, I’ve gotten up in this House every single day and said, you know what, our number one focus is the continuity of service for people in this province, Mr. Speaker. That’s exactly what we did by extending this contract year while we review this procurement, as we are doing across contracts all across government.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Centre.

Mental Health and Addictions Supports for Northerners

Betty Nippi-Albright: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, day after day we ask questions about this Sask Party’s government’s failures on mental health and addictions. People are dying in the cities and they’re dying in the North. This is happening every single day, Mr. Speaker. Many young people have lost their lives to suicide and drug overdose, and the supports that keep people alive aren’t there anymore. Instead of acting and staffing up, positions for counsellors in the North sit vacant.

What is the Minister of Northern Affairs doing to address the addictions crisis and the overdose crisis in northern Saskatchewan?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.

Hon. Lori Carr: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, every loss of life due to an overdose is a tragedy, and I do extend my condolences to all of those who have felt the impact of overdoses, drug toxicity, and addictions.

I spoke to this a couple of days ago, all of the services that we’re providing in the North that are available to individuals, whether it be in person, virtually, over the phone, Mr. Speaker. We understand that there are positions that still need to be filled and we’re working on that, Mr. Speaker.

But I think it’s important to note that no illicit drugs are safe, Mr. Speaker. It is those dangerous drugs that we don’t know what is in them out there that is causing some of these overdoses. So you know, as we talk about being leaders and having students in the gallery today, if I can send one message is, no use of illicit drugs is safe. And we are putting recovery in place for those individuals that are ready to go, Mr. Speaker, working towards our goal of 500. We’re at 264 and we will continue that work.

Sean Wilson: — I request leave for an introduction.

Speaker Goudy: — A request has been made for an introduction. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

Sean Wilson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. She was like 10 seconds late so I just . . . [inaudible] . . . Mr. Speaker, to you and through you, I’d like to introduce my friend Karen Kobussen from the Saskatoon Home Builders’ Association. They’ve been the voice of residential construction industry in Saskatoon and area since 1955. She took me to the Regina Home Builders expo and she bought me one of those taco-in-a-bag things, and it was really good and we’ve been friends ever since. So I would ask all members to welcome her to her Assembly.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

ADJOURNED DEBATES

SECOND READINGS

Bill No. 3

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Tim McLeod that Bill No. 3 — The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Amendment Act, 2024 be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Westview.

April ChiefCalf: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to be speaking today to The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Amendment Act, Bill No. 3. This amendment is meant to address issues such as abandoned buildings or nuisance properties that could become sites for illegal activities, graffiti, or loitering. And it proposes to do so by expanding powers to deal with nuisance properties through rehabilitation orders and forfeiture orders. And owners who do not co-operate with these proceedings basically waive their right to the property.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to read the definition for a nuisance property:

‘nuisance property’ means real property that:

is unfit for human habitation, occupation or use; and

negatively affects the health, safety, economic well-being or security of one or more persons within the community or neighbourhood in which the property is located.

In reading through the media releases, notes from Hansard, and the bill itself, I see that there’s many positives to this bill because the objective is basically to make communities and neighbourhoods safer. So thinking about some abandoned properties, they can be dangerous. They can be unsafe. They can be at risk of fire, things like that. So I can see that, you know, there’s some pros to this amendment, and I’m in favour of making communities safer.

But we need to be careful when we’re talking about nuisance properties and abandoned buildings and their connections to crime, because the buildings themselves are not the causes of crime. And so fixing, demolishing, or removing buildings isn’t going to fix some of the causes of crime. It’s not going to fix social issues.

Reading through the bill, I noticed there are provisions for removing people from property. And of course what I had to ask myself is, why are people living in abandoned buildings that may be dangerous? Why are they occupying those spaces? And I feel of course that this is because they’re having trouble finding a place to live and these are the spaces that are available to them. So this bill needs to function alongside measures that would address poverty — the growing situation of houselessness, for example.

I just wanted to recount an experience I had. Because even if we remove these dangerous buildings, you know, we’re still going to have people occupying spaces when they’re looking for shelter and a safe place to live.

[14:45]

And I met a man this winter, minus 30, in the vestibule of a restaurant with his dog. And because he has a pet, he’s had a difficult time finding a place to live, and he spends his day moving from, you know, entrances to banks, restaurants, other businesses until he’s asked to leave. And it just, you know, reinforces for me that people are having such a difficulty in finding a place to live, and wouldn’t it be nice if we could renovate these properties and make them available as safe homes for people.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say I look forward to more consultation and discussion on this amendment, and I move to adjourn debate on Bill 3, The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Amendment Act. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 4

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jim Reiter that Bill No. 4 — The Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2024 be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon University-Sutherland.

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to enter the debate on Bill No. 4, The Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2024. Workers’ compensation is extremely important for the workers. Last year my wife got injured at work while walking on the stairs. Her ankle was twisted. It took her several months to recover. The WCB paid for her treatment. She a researcher at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and it’s good to have that kind of coverage for all kinds of workers.

And when we’re talking about this amendment, this bill will extend compensation coverage to wildland fire fighters. And we fully support expanding the coverage to wildland fire fighters. Due to the climate change, wildfires are becoming more frequent and more dangerous. The firefighters, our heroes, deserve to be looked after. They are performing a very important and dangerous job. When the worst happens and they are hurt or killed, they and their loved ones deserve to be taken care of. The bill also extends the coverage to non-residents of Saskatchewan doing work outside of Saskatchewan for Saskatchewan employers, and this coverage is good to have.

The workers’ safety is extremely important wherever they work. We should continue to improve the safety standards. Our motto should be safety first. And with that, Mr. Speaker, I move to adjourn the debate on Bill No. 4, The Workers’ Compensation Amendment Act, 2024. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 5

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jim Reiter that Bill No. 5 — The Saskatchewan Employment Amendment Act, 2024 be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Southeast.

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to rise today to speak to Bill No. 5, The Saskatchewan Employment Amendment Act.

I want to start off by saying, you know, I believe that labour law and respecting workers is so important. During my time working at the Broadbent Institute, I had the pleasure of reaching out to unions — not just within Saskatchewan but across the country — to hear about the concerns and the challenges that they’re facing, and a lot of them are reflected within this bill today. And while there are some positives, I have to say that it is certainly lacking in some areas.

You know, we saw issues or we’ve seen issues around mass layoffs by certain companies nationally. As well, we’ve seen poor pay and poor treatment of workers, you know, especially one thing during the pandemic. And I think that that is a failure within this bill when we look at . . . You know, while I’m glad to see improvements on speaking notes, the threshold of two days twice a year is too low, and it discourages full rest and recovery for people that are ill. Like I said, during the pandemic this was an issue that we really saw, and it’s unfortunate to me that this isn’t something that is being addressed.

You know, other things that I heard was issues around termination thresholds and employees being terminated without cause and mass terminations. I have concerns about this bill because there’s a relaxing of the group-of-termination notice thresholds. We’re in an economic crisis right now, and now is not the time to make it easier to fire people. We will continue to speak to stakeholders and to advocate and to really understand what their concerns are and what the risks are.

But really, you know, this government is talking about how they have the best job creation, yet they’re allowing for mass termination with no threshold. So you know, when speaking to stakeholders, this is a decision that doesn’t involve unions about employees’ working conditions. And it might save time, but it risks employees not knowing their rights or how to advocate for themselves, something that is really, really key.

We all need to understand how to advocate for our own needs within the workplace and really strongly encourage work-life balance, especially at a time when there’s more economic anxiety in Saskatchewan than anywhere else in the country. I think it’s more important now than ever that there is work-life balance, that workers know their rights, and that they have the resources that they need to advocate for themselves.

Not to mention, paying wages in cash makes it nearly impossible to garnish wages, especially for things like child support.

So certainly, Mr. Speaker, I believe that there’s a lot of work that needs to be done, and while there are some positives within this bill, I think that our government needs to re-evaluate what they’re doing. Keep in mind, you know, the average working person in Saskatchewan with their economic anxiety, with the instability that we’re facing right now, and have conversations with unions who understand these issues and really work with workers to make sure that they’re advocating for them and for their rights.

So, Mr. Speaker, with that I would like to adjourn debate on Bill No. 5.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 6

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Tim McLeod that Bill No. 6 — The Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis.

Don McBean: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to address Bill No. 6, The Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act. This has been spoken to for a number of days. There’s no denying that it’s important that, in public spaces, we ensure the safety of the average person walking around, and that by legislating and banning certain instruments that can be considered weapons, that’s important for us. We can’t just let this go rampant.

There is quite a bit of definition determining exactly what a street weapon might be. The list is not complete by any means, because a weapon isn’t a weapon unless it’s being used as a weapon. I use that with my children. I use that with my students. I use that with my grandchildren now. It’s a weapon when it’s used as a weapon.

So while the definition and the clarification of certain aspects of what it is that we’re trying to achieve with this are important, I think more than . . . Or I would like to sort of address that, you know, violence comes from somewhere. It’s not the weapon itself that is the problem; it’s the person that feels the need . . . Because anyone who acts in any manner is doing it for a reason. People don’t act randomly. There’s always a reason why they’re performing the acts that they are. And what is being addressed and targeted in some of this legislation is looking at people’s obviously suffering from mental health.

My wife and I were talking about this the other day. I was explaining the adjourn-for-debate procedure and I gave this one as an example. And the conversation was about a spate of bear spray incidents on Saskatoon buses and in the mall. And the question that we both had was, what was their intent? Were they trying to rob someone? Were they trying to gain some economic advantage that they were denied? And as near as we could tell or were informed, that wasn’t the case. It’s straight-up mental health.

They feel with their . . . You know, the need to be somebody on the street means that you might be able to go up to someone that you perceive to be a person of privilege and hurt them. Because you’re hurting, you need to lash out. You need to do something to feel validated yourself.

So mental health comes from economic disparity. No big secret there. I’m not telling anyone things that they don’t know already. But what is particularly disturbing — and I haven’t heard spoken as I look back through the notes — is to recognize a lot of this as the obvious effect of colonialism. There’s a disproportionate number of First Nations on the streets, unhoused, unwell, and it ties right back to colonialism.

It’s not by making greater penalties that we’re going to treat colonialism. It’s not by having more police on the street. As much as that is important in order to ensure the safety . . . Damn. I gesticulate a bit. Sorry, I’ll work on that.

It’s not by a greater penalty. It’s not by more persons. It’s not by more law enforcement that we’re fixing colonialism, that we’re fixing mental health. There are very much more important avenues to explore. And as much as we do support many of the details, the details of this Bill No. 6 on safe public spaces . . . Because of course it’s been determined by somebody that these things need to happen to ensure greater public safety. But I ask for us to reflect on what are the root causes of most of this. And it’s not as simple as writing a passage in a bill, but it’s important for us to be considering.

That all said, thank you very much. I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 6, the Act for safe public spaces. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 7

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Tim McLeod that Bill No. 7 — The Court of Appeal (Residency) Amendment Act, 2024/Loi modificative de 2024 sur la Cour d’appel (résidence) be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Stonebridge.

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It gives me great pleasure to present and discuss and debate a bill that is very near and dear to my heart, Bill No. 7, The Court of Appeal (Residency) Amendment Act of 2024. I joke. But this bill is relatively straight and narrow, nothing that’s out of the ordinary.

Humbolt is now off the list of northern centres, which makes sense as Humboldt’s located directly east of Saskatoon. Instead of six judges, now there’s going to be seven. Again not controversial as that’s how many judges there are now. The Chief Justice may permit any given judge to reside in Saskatoon instead of Regina. So I guess if there was any controversy surrounding the bill, it would maybe be around the rules permitting someone to be located in Saskatoon instead of Regina.

[15:00]

However if that allows us to reduce wait times for cases in our court systems, if it allows us to attract more people, more good people to be judges in these areas, that doesn’t seem like a bad idea. And it appears that, you know, just examining the ability to have people, judges, reside in Saskatoon and the fact that it’s even a discussion shows that the Ministry of Justice is going to great lengths to avoid bias, avoid rulings in cases that might be seen as, you know, favourable for whatever reason. It’s encouraging to see that in our society, in our democracy, we take these things seriously.

So I appreciate . . . And I do wonder if this new designation affects Humboldt and its surrounding areas in any way, though I’m not sure that it does. I agree with the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre that there’s nothing too spicy here in this amendment. So with that I seek to move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 7.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 8

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Everett Hindley that Bill No. 8 — The Child Care (New Facilities) Amendment Act, 2024/Loi modificative de 2024 sur les garderies d’enfants (nouveaux établissements) be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis.

Don McBean: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise to speak to Bill No. 8, The Child Care (New Facilities) Amendment Act, 2024.

As has been addressed by some of my colleagues previously, there are some important refinements of definitions; who it is that can be licensed within the child care, the corporations — profit or non-profit, we’ll come back to that — co-ops, municipalities; that the licensed preschools, there’s a very particular definition of the importance or the necessity that they have a board of directors with parental involvement.

There’s no doubt as to the importance for us to be providing child care in order for parents to do and pursue their careers and support their families. We know that it’s a very challenging place, that the lists for finding a child care place are . . . You know, people are going on the wait-list at the first evidence of a pregnancy and still not sure that at the end of the maternity leave, should they be so lucky as to have a full year, that they’ll be able to get their child in. My grandson got there because his mom was returning to work at the school where the day care . . . Otherwise we would have been in a bad way that way.

It’s not just the place that provides the child care, obviously. It’s the workers, and we need to do everything possible to support these workers. This bill allows the care home limit to go up to 16 children from 12. We count on there still being enough control to ensure the proper space and the proper adult-to-child ratio.

I worked for a year in daycare. When I went to Quebec the second time I thought, I don’t want to go to school to learn French; I want to go into the work world. And I got a job working in daycare. And I have to tell you, it was possibly the best job that I’ve ever had. I’m hoping being an MLA might be better, but so far the jury’s out on that. It was amazing to work in a more open environment than I had experienced previously in school, to just be there and care for kids. I loved it. I would have kept doing it except the pay isn’t so good and the holiday structure isn’t very good.

And so when we . . . I will say, though, it was the best environment for learning French that you can imagine. Four- and five-year-olds, they don’t waste a lot of time explaining things. They say it twice. If I still didn’t understand they just left me. It was a great place to learn. But when we decided to stay in Quebec for another year, I thought, well I need to get into the school system, and I did.

But it’s evidenced every day. Again it was spoken to by the acknowledgement of some of the child care workers in the gallery. The member from Elphinstone-Centre’s acknowledgement of the personal contact of those workers with her children just shows how significant that is for all of our progress and all of our cohesion as a family.

I will just make the point. There’s been a lot of talk about the $10‑a-day daycare and the fact that Saskatchewan hasn’t yet signed on to it. We’ve heard the good reasons repeated on and on about that. There is a sliver of conversation about that being held up in negotiation due to some idea that private daycare needs to have more access to this, and I can’t see any evidence of it in this amendment and this bill.

But I sure hope that we continue to ensure that the child care facilities, you know, has the power as is detailed here, that there be a board of directors with parental involvement, etc. So I just make a little nod to that. But with that I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 8, child care facilities. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 9

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jeremy Harrison that Bill No. 9 — The Traffic Safety Amendment Act, 2024 be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Westview.

April ChiefCalf: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to rise today in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly to enter into debate on The Traffic Safety Amendment Act, Bill No. 9.

In short, this amendment would add regulation-making authority to allow other forms of document delivery than in person or mail. And as you know, the traffic safety legislation is the legislation that governs drivers’ licences and rules related to motor vehicle operation in the province, as well as administrative requirements for SGI.

So this amendment, simply put, will allow to provide for electronic delivery of documents. And I think that the positives to this proposed amendment is that sometimes our mail delivery can be disrupted by weather and other factors, and there may be times where we need those documents more quickly than how they can be delivered through the mail. And not everybody is able to get to an office in person. So again, weather can disrupt that lack of access to transportation, mobility issues.

So delivering these documents digitally can be very good options for some folks. I would just like to caution that this proposal might not meet everyone’s needs. So although it could be beneficial for some, it might not be beneficial for everyone.

So just to give a couple of examples, I like to make reference to my own family all the time, right. So I grew up having pen pals throughout the world. In high school I wrote a lot of letters. And it was a huge surprise to me one day when one of my children was in high school and they asked me how to mail a letter. Because they grew up in the digital age, so they grew up on cell phones and iPads and everything was done electronically, and so they didn’t know. I had to take them to the post office and show them how to purchase stamps and do that. It was kind of interesting.

At the same time, there’s people like me that struggle with technology, and I get lots of eye rolls from my children over that, even though they’re too old to be doing that to me. So I know that there might be some folks that find, you know, if it’s only digital delivery, it might be a struggle for them. So we need to keep all options open on this.

However I look forward to further discussion with my colleagues, and on that note I will move to adjourn debate on Bill 9, The Traffic Safety Amendment Act. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 10

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Tim McLeod that Bill No. 10 — The Miscellaneous Statutes (Public Registries Enhancement) Amendment Act, 2024 be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon northeast.

Jacqueline Roy: — Regina. Yes.

Speaker Goudy: — Oh, sorry.

Jacqueline Roy: — No worries. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a pleasure to enter into I guess what is my first bill debate here in the legislature today, and this is of course around Bill No. 10. Mr. Speaker, it’s definitely been spoken to before by some of my colleagues, and I absolutely agree with what they have said with regards to digital signatures. And I know even here in the Legislative Assembly, we’ve been trying to move towards that to be a little bit more on top of the technology. So I do encourage and recognize the importance of that.

Then we get into a little bit of the nitty and gritty around freedom of information and privacy. And that I think is where I hope that when this comes to committee, we do have some answers to the questions that are presented here today and that my colleagues have presented.

Whenever we make something FOIP-able [freedom of information and protection of privacy], or freedom of information and privacy related, we need to make sure that we’ve actually consulted with the proper jurisdictions before we put that into place. And I’m encouraged to see that when it come to The Land Titles Act, we did indeed say that results will not be FOIP-able unless they are available to the police or the CRA [Canada Revenue Agency].

That gives me some courage because land titles Acts are often searched in cases where women can be in vulnerable positions, and they need to know who is living where and their residency. That makes sense. The Land Surveys Act — it would be great to get some clarification on why that is FOIP-able, however, by the general public because I still have concerns about that.

That being said, Mr. Speaker, I believe this bill was adequately talked to by the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre and by the member from Saskatoon Meewasin in the past. So therefore I would move that we adjourn debate on the bill for now.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 11

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Tim McLeod that Bill No. 11 — The Miscellaneous Statutes (Public Registries Enhancement) Amendment Act, 2024 (No. 2)/Loi modificative diverse (amélioration des registres publics) de 2024 (n° 2) be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Northeast.

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I enter into debate on this bilingual law, I just wanted to cite some interesting points that were mentioned by my colleague from Saskatoon Meewasin concerning what is happening. And indeed he noted, “I am not bilingual. There are several members that are bilingual here. I hope somebody will get up and speak to this in French.”

So I guess that’s why I find myself here today, monsieur le Président. Alors j’aimerais passer à travers de ce qui est le contenu de cet article, en raison de l’article 11 qui est définitivement bilingue.

Alors une des premières choses que j’aimerais mentionner c’est que lorsqu’on traduit les lois, lorsqu’on traduit les lois il semble qu’on n’est pas en train de traduire la partie qui explique les lois, et que cette partie-là est seulement disponible en anglais. Je vais faire certain. Je vais vérifier avec le bureau de traduction pour faire certain que c’est le cas, mais j’aimerais qu’on a les explications même qui ont rapport à l’article là en français, parce que vraiment c’est ça le contenu que le publique peut accéder pour qu’ils sont capables de comprendre la loi.

[15:15]

Alors comme j’ai dit en anglais définitivement avec des choses qui concernent les signatures, je sais qu’on veut être dans l’ère moderne et j’ai aucun problème avec cela, monsieur le Président.

Mais quand ça vient au contenu par rapport à ce qui peut être vu à travers de l’accès à l’information et la protection de la vie privée. Alors avec la protection de la vie privée, je crois que c’est important pour les femmes et d’autres gens qui sont en des situations vulnérables d’avoir accès à l’information et le contenu de certains endroits, mais dans d’autres endroits ça devrait être vraiment limité à la police.

Et ce que je vois, c’est je vois qu’on a aucune mention — ni en anglais, ni en français — du marshals service. Et pourquoi je parle de cela? Je parle du marshals service parce que quand on regarde ça dit que les membres de la Gendarmerie royale du Canada, ils peuvent être consultés là-dessus. Ça dit que les gens de la police, ils peuvent être consultés là-dessus. Mais ensuite on dit, n’importe qui d’autre qui est selon la discrétion de quelqu’un.

Alors ç’est évidemment très, très vague; très, très vague autour de ce service des martiaux et si les martiaux vont avoir l’entraînement pour être capables de faire ces genres de choses là. Ç’est ce que j’espère entendre quand on est en comité. J’espère d’avoir des précisions là-dessus. Et avec cela, monsieur le Ministre, je décide que j’aimerais faire clôture de l’article. Merci.

[Translation: So I guess that’s why I find myself here today, Mr. Speaker. So I’d like to go through the content of this bill because Bill 11 is definitely bilingual.

So one of the first things I would like to mention is that when a law is translated, when a law is translated it seems that we are not translating the explanatory notes, and that that part is available only in English. I will make sure. I will confirm with the translation office to ensure that that is the case, but I would like to have the explanations of the bill in French because really that’s the content that the public can access to understand the law.

So as I said in English, definitely with the things concerning signatures, I know we want to modernize and I don’t have a problem with that, Mr. Speaker.

But when it comes to content that can be found through access to information and protection of privacy. With respect to privacy protection, I believe that it is important for women as well as other people in vulnerable situations to have access to information in certain cases, but in other cases it should be limited to the police.

And what I don’t see is any mention — in either English or French — of the marshals service. And why am I talking about this? I am talking about the marshals service because, when we look at it, it says that members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police can be consulted. It says that the police can be consulted. But then it says, anyone else, according to someone’s discretion.

Therefore it’s obviously very, very vague; very, very, vague in terms of this marshals service and whether the marshals will have the training to be able to do these types of things. That is what I hope to hear in committee. I hope to have details on this. And with that, Mr. Minister, I would like to move to adjourn debate on this bill. Thank you.]

Speaker Goudy: — Merci. [Translation: Thank you.] The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 13

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jim Reiter that Bill No. 13 — The Income Tax Amendment Act, 2025 be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis.

Don McBean: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m rising to discuss Bill No. 13, The Income Tax Amendment Act, 2025. There’s been some discussion of the highlights of this over debate in the last few days, last week. There’s a little bit up here and a little bit down there that certain aspects are being given an increased degree of latitude, or increased degree of tax exemption.

No one has mentioned all the great formulas in here. You know, just a couple of them where, you know, as we’re studying this prior to standing, you know, that the TCA [tax credit amount] is the [SIT + $500] − {SI − 0.1 x [SIT + $500]}. You got that one? Yeah. Like it makes me feel like I’m in grade 10 algebra and I just want to whip out my pencil and start solving for — what are we solving for there? — TCA. But I do know that income tax law is important. There’s a lot of lawyers who will tell me that income tax law is important. I’m very glad that I was a public servant, teacher most of my life. My income tax consisted of submitting my T4. I could do it myself most of my career.

It gives me opportunity, as is my wont, to reflect on the little bit bigger question at play here. Yes, there are some specific talking points of we will give an increased fertility credit, we will change certain regulations for part-time residency, we will tinker with various aspects of the tax law. It is something that I’ve . . . not struggled with isn’t the right word, but I’ve been concerned about what tax means nowadays. Because it’s turned into a dirty word.

People talk about, “Get rid of this tax. Lower this tax. Oh, I got to find a way to not pay tax.” And every now and again, in polite company, I offer the possibility that taxes are important. Taxes are the foundation. Taxes deserve to be put alongside death as the only certainty in life. And we spend so much effort to not pay tax, yet we demand the services of government, of our municipalities, of everyone. And where does that all come from? How does this place, this legislature . . . It’s from our taxes.

And I just, in doing a little bit of thinking about this, I want to point out to us all that, you know, taxes are our social responsibility. We live with great privilege. We have income. We have assets and capital, and we are allowed to make businesses and get great profit from those businesses to do good — to do good by our family, to do good by our community, and to do good by the larger community which is our social responsibility. And it’s not part of this bill, but it’s an important part of the discussion, I feel, and I wanted to have the chance to articulate that in front of the legislature today.

With that, I would move to adjourn debate for the second reading on the Bill No. 13, income tax amendment. Thank you very much.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 14

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jeremy Harrison that Bill No. 14 — The Power Corporation Amendment Act, 2025 be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood.

Keith Jorgenson: — Mr. Speaker, it’s a pleasure to rise onto my feet and debate Bill 14. You know, when I read through this bill the thing that really popped out at my eyes was that the bill raises the debt ceiling for SaskPower to $14 billion. And I looked at it and I said, wow. That’s really a lot of zeros, Mr. Speaker. Like, that’s a lot of zeros.

You know, I’m wondering soon if I’m going to need to buy a scientific calculator to keep track of all the debt that the government is racking up on our behalf, Mr. Speaker. You know, you use the scientific notation to see how far the earth is from other planets. And I really do say that the debt is really out of this world, Mr. Speaker.

You know, in my budget address I mentioned babies that were born in this province owing $32,000 upon their birth. And I did make a mistake, Mr. Speaker, because I did not include the additional debt that SaskPower is now racking up on behalf of those babies as well, Mr. Speaker.

You know, Mr. Speaker, I think that money does matter. Money is the embodiment of our dreams, whether it be on a personal level, you want to buy a new house, a new boat; or as a society, you know, better health care, better education. And when we don’t spend money wisely or spend more money than we ought to, then that really limits the dreams that we as a province can bring into fruition.

And so I would like to read into record when we’re talking about the debt of SaskPower, the debt that the province has racked up in the last number of years.

In 2016 this government ran a $1.5 billion deficit; and in ’17 a $1.2 billion deficit; in 2018 a $303 million deficit; in 2019 a $268 million deficit; in 2020 a $319 million deficit; 2021 a $1.1 billion deficit. Sorry I need to take a drink. That’s just a long list. 2020, a $1.5 billion deficit; 2024, sorry, a $660 million deficit. And I do believe that we’re in for another one, Mr. Speaker.

I know I’ve heard a lot of talk about balancing budget, whether it be SaskPower or this government. You know, and I think of the talk around balancing the budget. It reminds me of if you go to like a fair or something like that and you see a gentleman who’s spinning plates on a stick. And he keeps adding one plate after another, spinning, and you’re like oh, how long are all those plates going to stay up? And you know, Mr. Speaker, the thing about that trick is whether the guy’s good at it or not, the plates always fall and break.

And I just want to say, whether it be SaskPower or the finances of this province, when it comes to spending our money, Mr. Speaker, boring is beautiful. And I just wish this government could learn to balance either SaskPower’s budget or the province’s budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Oh, and I move to adjourn debate on Bill 14. Sorry.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 15

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Alana Ross that Bill No. 15 — The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Amendment Act, 2025/Loi modificative de 2025 sur la réglementation des boissons alcoolisées et des jeux de hasard be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood.

Keith Jorgenson: — Fourth time’s the charm. Mr. Speaker, it’s a pleasure to rise onto my feet again. So when I was reading through this bill, I got to speak to two bills that deal with our beloved Crown corporations. And so when I was reading through this, one of the things that kind of struck me is how our Crown corporations have kind of been mistreated and neglected by this government.

You know, Saskatchewan, I think, often when we talk about Saskatchewan words, everyone likes to think of the word “bunnyhug.” But I think there’s actually three Saskatchewan words, or used to be three Saskatchewan words, Mr. Speaker. There was of course “bunnyhug,” and a colloquial term for underwear which I won’t mention, and LBS [liquor board store].

So SLGA [Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority] was an important part of our Crowns, and this government has so gutted our Crowns. You know, they are happy to take money from the Crowns when they need to balance their budget, but they don’t spend the time and invest them and treat them with the due respect that they deserve.

And with that, Mr. Speaker, I move to adjourn debate on Bill 15.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — The member has agreed to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried.

Bill No. 16

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jim Reiter that Bill No. 16 — The Provincial Sales Tax Amendment Act, 2025 be now read a second time.]

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Chief Mistawasis.

Don McBean: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we say? I stand today to address Bill No. 16, The Provincial Sales Tax Amendment Act. Everybody stands and says, it’s my pleasure to stand and discuss this. And sure, it’s my pleasure. I’m just not sure it’s everyone else’s pleasure that I’m standing for a fourth time. But here we go.

The bill summary, the notes on the bill summary for this is six words long — removing PST [provincial sales tax] exemption on vape products. Pretty hard to have a problem with that. But it’s more to what all it’s not saying. There are so many questions that have already been raised by my colleagues. We certainly stand in support to include vape products. We call these a sin tax.

Someone has tried to explain to me why it is that vape hasn’t been taxed up till now because I don’t think that it was ever considered to be something important and healthy that we should give an exemption to, like children’s clothing. We think that would be a good thing to give an exemption to, like various groceries.

[15:30]

But vape, it’s pretty clear. Whether the sin tax is an appropriate name for it or not, we know that vaping is not a good thing. And the government tends to take advantage of people’s addictions, people’s need to participate in activities, that we know that if we slap a tax on it, they’re going to keep buying it. We do it with alcohol. We do it with tobacco. We will do it with vape now. I wonder if anyone’s listening because I say, you know, we’ve even done it on Roughrider tickets. And that’s kind of controversial in a lot of circles, but there we go.

We think that there’s a lot of places that PST could be cut back on. There are a lot of places it’s been added to. We think it should be added to vape products.

I’m curious how many people have, as I have, participated in various aspects of those sins. I was a smoker. I didn’t quit because it was costing me too much, but I did eventually, thankfully, quit. 1982 or 3, I think. So that was good.

But whenever we’re talking about tobacco and smoking, I like to share the story of my dad’s quit story. I remember my dad smoking until I was about six, so I’m guessing somewhere in about ’63 or so my dad — and my mom joined him — they quit smoking. And for my dad it was because the price of cigarettes had gone to 47 cents a pack. And he could see the writing on the wall that it was going to get to 50 cents a pack. And no way was he ever going to pay 50 cents a pack on cigarettes. That is a little bit multiplied because my dad smoked over two packs a day of cigarettes, so you know, it would have cost him a dollar a day to do that.

But the price will hopefully — adding the PST and having a greater price — hopefully will help people who are participating in that, including my son, to quit from vaping and smoking. So I’m glad that we’re rectifying this exemption that has existed.

And with that, I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 16, The Provincial Sales Tax Amendment Act.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried.

Bill No. 17

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Warren Kaeding that Bill No. 17 — The Saskatchewan Commercial Innovation Incentive (Patent Box) Amendment Act, 2025 be now read a second time.]

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — I recognize the member from Regina Wascana Plains.

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It’s certainly an honour to rise in these chambers today for the very first time to continue debate of Bill No. 17, The Saskatchewan Commercial Innovation Incentive (Patent Box) Amendment Act, 2025.

I do have a few notes to guide me on this momentous occasion, being that I am not as verbally fluid as my more seasoned colleagues. I do hope, however, that over the next four years over here and the following four years when we end up over on that side, I hope that I’ll get the experience needed to keep — just seeing if everybody was listening or not — I hope to get the experience needed to keep up with my colleagues and speak as eloquently as they do.

Bill 17 references a program that provides incentives and opportunities for medium and large businesses in the province to bring new products, ideas, and services to the people of Saskatchewan. In general the original bill is being amended to extend the incentive program for another two years and remove the economic eligibility test from the program requirements. I do have some questions and concerns as to why the economic eligibility test has been taken out, but as I go through the bill a little bit I know that our shadow minister for this area will provide some additional oversight and scrutiny on this front going forward.

Especially in these economic times of uncertainty, to say the least, we need to reduce our reliance on US-based companies and provide more economic opportunities for people right here in our province. For example, people of Saskatchewan should be able to book Saskatchewan campsites and obtain Saskatchewan hunting and fishing licences through a Saskatchewan-based company.

We fully support made-in-Saskatchewan innovation, entrepreneurship, and company start-ups. This is why we’ve been so disappointed at how listless the Premier’s response has been to this tariff crisis. More supporting Saskatchewan; less kowtowing to Trump. Streamlining the application process for individuals and corporations for certification can only benefit the economy of the province, making us more self-reliant.

This is a time when we need to look inward to Saskatchewan ideas for Saskatchewan products and services. We need to make more investment in the people of this province to keep them here rather than taking their ideas and skills elsewhere. Saskatchewan is abundant in intelligent, innovative, and creative people, people that have great ideas that just need to be given the opportunity to get their ideas out there.

That being said, I know that we’ll continue to confer with the voters and our stakeholders. Again the shadow minister will dive into this a little deeper and will seek further clarification in this area. And with that, Mr. Speaker, I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 17, The Saskatchewan Commercial Innovation Incentive (Patent Box) Amendment Act, 2025.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried.

Bill No. 18

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jeremy Cockrill that Bill No. 18 — The Regulated Health Professions Act be now read a second time.]

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Southeast.

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I rise today to speak to Bill No. 18. This bill is in regards to health care and health care workers, and I have to say that I’m a little disappointed. You know, there’s a lot of holes within our health care system right now. There’s a shortage of doctors, shortage of nurses. You know, women have to go out of province to access mammograms. Frankly there are countless flaws within the system right now.

I hear from people every day about the failures of the system, how they’re not able to access care, how wait times are horrendous, hospitals closing early. And frankly I’m disappointed that this bill doesn’t do more to address these issues. You know, this is a very difficult time for health care workers in the province, and it’s our responsibility to help with their good functioning and their governance.

I trust that the shadow minister will be talking to stakeholders about whether this bill is the best way to achieve that. It’s a pity that the government won’t take more direct action to improve conditions for health care workers, to improve retention, to hire more specialists, and to strike up a task force to communicate directly with the people on the front lines.

I say this all the time. We’re politicians. We’re MLAs. We’re not doctors. And most of us aren’t nurses, but we’re not doctors. So we don’t know what is in the best interest in the health care sector, and it is so important that we are having good dialogue, that we are hearing from people that are on the front line to really understand the issues. We can’t address them if we don’t know what’s going on.

And frankly it seems that this bill just doesn’t have that level of communication. And I know that the shadow minister for Health will absolutely do her due diligence to connect with folks to really understand if this bill is in the best interest of the people of Saskatchewan.

I’m very proud of the current health colleagues that we have, and I’m very proud of everybody who works in health care and all the additional work that they are tasked with because of the failures within our health care system. So I’d like to take this opportunity to thank health care workers, to thank the doctors, the nurses, the custodians, all health care workers within our province for everything that they do to contribute to keep us healthy.

And with that I will move to adjourn debate on Bill 18.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried.

Bill No. 19

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jeremy Cockrill that Bill No. 19 — The Regulated Health Professions Consequential Amendments Act, 2025/Loi de 2025 corrélative de la loi intitulée The Regulated Health Professions Act be now read a second time.]

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Southeast.

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It is a pleasure to rise on Bill No. 19, The Regulated Health Professions Consequential Amendments Act.

As outlined by Bill 18, this bill is just looking at updating some of the definitions and language, and as previously introduced before the House, I look forward to the oversight that will be brought to this bill by the critic, by my colleagues, as well as stakeholders — doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals — that work outside of this Assembly. And again I would like to express my sincere gratitude for everybody working in the health care sector at this time.

And with that I will move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 19, the regulated health professionals consequential amendment Act. Thank you.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried.

Bill No. 20

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Warren Kaeding that Bill No. 20 — The Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Investment Tax Credit Act be now read a second time.]

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon University-Sutherland.

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I am pleased to rise to enter the debate on Bill No. 20, the small and medium enterprise investment tax credit Act.

Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of our economy, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It’s more important now than ever to invest in local businesses, promote local businesses, and buy local. We are living in a very unpredictable environment where we don’t know what kind of tariffs are coming tomorrow or next week or next month.

Our party launched a campaign two months ago to shop local, shop Saskatchewan. This is to promote Saskatchewan businesses. You can go to www.shopsk.ca to look for Saskatchewan businesses. Mr. Deputy Speaker, we strongly support made-in-Saskatchewan small and medium enterprises and want to encourage investment, which is why we wish the Sask Party government would commit to hire Saskatchewan procurement policy instead of relying on out-of-province and American companies.

We don’t need American company to run our medical labs. We don’t need an American company to provide hunting and fishing licences in Saskatchewan. And we don’t need American company to book the campsite in Saskatchewan parks.

We need to promote Saskatchewan business and invest more in local business. It’s important to keep Saskatchewan-owned businesses Saskatchewan owned. Our small- and medium-sized businesses are really struggling right now. They’re looking for help. We need clear, direct answers on tariff responses. We do need a contingency plan to protect our businesses and workers.

With that, Mr. Deputy Speaker, I move to adjourn the debate on Bill No. 20, the small and medium enterprise investment tax credit Act. Thank you.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — The member has moved to adjourn debate. Is it the pleasure of the House to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried. I recognize the Government House Leader.

[15:45]

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. To facilitate the work of committees, I move that this House do now adjourn.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — It has been moved that this Assembly do now adjourn. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt this motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried. This Assembly now stands adjourned until tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

[The Assembly adjourned at 15:46.]

Published under the authority of the Hon. Todd Goudy, Speaker

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