CONTENTS
TABLING
THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE
Consideration
of Speech from the Throne
SECOND
SESSION — THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE
of
the
Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
DEBATES
AND PROCEEDINGS
(HANSARD)
N.S. Vol. 67 No. 1A Wednesday,
October 22, 2025, 14:00
[The
Assembly met at 14:00.]
Speaker
Goudy: — Members of the Legislative Assembly,
guests, please remain standing for the entrance of our Lieutenant Governor and
the Vice-Regal party.
[At 14:02 Her Honour the Lieutenant
Governor entered the Chamber and took her seat upon the Throne. Her Honour then
opened the session with the following speech.]
SPEECH FROM THE THRONE
Her Honour:
— Pray be seated.
Mr.
Speaker, Members of the Legislative Assembly, honoured guests, people of
Saskatchewan.
Welcome
to the opening of the Second Session of the Thirtieth Legislature of the
Province of Saskatchewan.
We
meet at a time of great challenges and great opportunities for our province.
The
challenges come in the form of a historic realignment of world trading
relationships and the imposition of significant tariffs by the United States
and China.
At
the same time, this global realignment is creating new opportunities for
Saskatchewan thanks to our abundant natural resources, our diversified and
expanded export markets, our strong and growing economy, and our people.
Saskatchewan
people — determined, resilient, innovative, resourceful and strong.
During
this session, our government will take action to meet those challenges and
build on those opportunities to ensure our economy is strong, our communities
are safe and our future is secure.
WILDFIRES
This
year has also been challenging for our residents in the north.
Multiple
forest fires have forced many to evacuate and some have faced uncertain
timelines for returning home.
Thank
you to our community leaders for their tireless efforts in supporting their
residents.
Significant
provincial support was provided to wildfire evacuees, including:
· $15 million to the Canadian Red
Cross which worked with the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) to provide
$750 to the head of a household evacuated for more than seven days and $2,000
to the head of a household evacuated for more than 30 days;
· Doubling the daily amount provided to
evacuated residents to $40 per day for the head of a household and $20 per day
for other members of the household; and
·
$10 million
to provide $500 financial assistance cheques to all evacuated residents over
the age of 18.
SPSA
and other government Crowns and ministries then moved to working with
communities in the recovery phase, including community clean up, temporary
housing and the development of the Denare Beach Resilience Centre.
$10 million
has been provided for temporary housing and $20 million for community
clean up.
Thank
you to everyone involved in these recovery efforts.
Thank
you as well to the many firefighters on the ground, and the water bomber and
bird dog pilots who risked their lives to fight the fires, protect communities
and keep residents safe.
To
recognize these heroic efforts, our government will be awarding the Premier’s
Commendation Award to Volunteer, Municipal and Saskatchewan Public Safety
Agency Fire Departments.
This
award recognizes personnel for their service and bravery while protecting
Saskatchewan people and communities during the unprecedented 2025 wildfire
season.
ECONOMY
Saskatchewan
has the strongest economy in Canada.
More
people are working than ever before, including more women, more young people,
and more First Nations and Métis people.
For
most of this year, Saskatchewan has led the nation in year-over-year job growth
and lowest unemployment rate and was second in both of those categories in the
most recent labour force report.
Saskatchewan
leads the country in capital investment growth.
Private
capital investment in Saskatchewan increased by 17.3 per cent last year to
$14.7 billion and is expected to reach $16.2 billion in 2025.
Our
government has incentivized investment and growth through initiatives like the
Small and Medium Enterprise Tax Credit for the food, beverage, machinery and
transportation sectors, and the new Saskatchewan Young Entrepreneur Bursary to
support youth entrepreneurs.
Reducing
red tape and regulatory burdens remains a key priority in order to let business
get down to business.
Our
government’s red tape reduction efforts have resulted in more than
$690 million in cumulative savings for Saskatchewan businesses.
Our
province is blessed with both abundance and diversity of natural resources.
In
addition to the big three resources that power our economy — oil, potash and
uranium — Saskatchewan is home to aluminum, cobalt, copper, gallium, helium,
lithium, magnesium, natural graphite, nickel and numerous rare earth elements.
Government’s
role is to make Saskatchewan a great place for resource companies to explore,
to invest, to build and to develop those resources for the benefit of all
Saskatchewan residents.
Saskatchewan
is again the top region in Canada for mining investment attractiveness, ranking
first in the country and seventh in the world, according to the Fraser
Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies.
Our
government will continue working to build a strong economy by maintaining
incentives such as the Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive, the
Targeted Mineral Exploration Incentive and the Saskatchewan Value-Added
Agriculture Incentive.
While
our government works to attract investment into Saskatchewan, we continue to
focus on expanding export markets abroad.
Recent
tariffs imposed by the United States and China have shown that improved market
access elsewhere is key to our continued economic success and strength.
Saskatchewan’s
efforts to expand our export markets did not start with the election of the
current US president.
Expanding
export markets has been a cornerstone of our government’s economic plan for 18
years — and it’s working.
Trade
missions to countries around the world and the opening of trade offices in nine
countries mean Saskatchewan exports are top of mind for international buyers
and importers.
In
the last year, trade missions were undertaken to Mexico, India, the United Arab
Emirates, Vietnam, Singapore, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States,
Poland, Japan, South Korea, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Our
government’s approach to expanding export markets through trade offices and
trade missions is working as Saskatchewan currently exports to over 160
countries around the world.
In
2007, the value of Saskatchewan exports was less than $20 billion a year.
It
is now between $45 and $50 billion every year.
More
exports abroad mean more jobs and opportunities for Saskatchewan people here at
home.
Diversification
and expansion of international markets means Saskatchewan is in a better
position than most to weather the current trade uncertainties.
Those
efforts will continue, while at the same time, my government will work closely
with the federal government to navigate the challenges created by US and
Chinese tariffs.
Saskatchewan’s
relationship with the federal government today is more positive than it has
been at any time in the past decade.
The
new Prime Minister has shown a willingness to engage with our province and an
understanding of what is needed to continue building a strong and growing
Saskatchewan within a strong and united Canada.
[14:15]
This
spring, shortly after the federal election, our Premier sought to reset our
province’s relationship with Ottawa by giving the Prime Minister our Strong
Saskatchewan, Strong Canada Plan — 10 actions the federal government must take
to help build a stronger Saskatchewan and Canadian economy.
These
include:
· Undertaking negotiations with China to
remove tariffs on canola and other Canadian agri-food products;
· Transferring responsibility for the
output-based pricing system for heavy emitters to the provinces;
· Repealing the unachievable and
unaffordable Clean Electricity Regulations and extending the life of coal-fired
power plants that provide affordable and reliable power to Saskatchewan
residents;
· Building new economic corridors across
the country to move goods to market; and
·
Expanding
pipeline capacity.
Last
month, immediately following his trade mission to China and Japan, our Premier
met with the Prime Minister to discuss the Strong Saskatchewan, Strong Canada
Plan.
It
was a productive meeting and the Prime Minister committed to addressing
Saskatchewan’s concerns and moving forward on nation-building projects that
benefit both the Saskatchewan and Canadian economies.
Our
government will continue to make every effort to work collaboratively with the
federal government toward our shared goals of a strong and growing Saskatchewan
within a strong and united Canada.
As
our trade relationships across some international borders have become more
challenging, Saskatchewan has been working with other provinces and the federal
government to make trade across provincial borders easier.
Saskatchewan
is already the leader in Canada in terms of removing interprovincial trade
barriers to labour mobility.
A
new Saskatchewan Internal Trade Promotion Act will encourage freer trade
within our own country and strengthen our Saskatchewan and Canadian economies
by reducing interprovincial trade barriers for goods and services.
My
government has listened to Saskatchewan people who have told us they want to
ensure our province’s energy security.
For
SaskPower customers, energy security means reliable, affordable electricity now
and in the future.
It
means extending the life of coal-fired power plants and developing nuclear
energy in Saskatchewan.
The
Saskatchewan First Energy Security Strategy and Supply Plan will do just that.
Those
who would oppose both of these electrical generation sources would sentence
Saskatchewan people to skyrocketing power bills and an unreliable supply of
electricity.
My
government will not let that happen.
AFFORDABILITY
A
strong and growing economy means our government can take steps to make life
more affordable for everyone in our province.
Saskatchewan
remains the most affordable place to live in Canada.
Compared
to 25 major cities across Canada, Regina is the most affordable city in which
to buy a home, with Saskatoon close behind.
Saskatchewan
has the lowest rental rates amongst the provinces.
While
Saskatchewan remains an affordable place to live, Saskatchewan residents are
feeling the impact of rising costs.
That
is why our government delivered on its promises to lower the cost of living for
seniors, students, families, homeowners and everyone.
That
will continue in this session as we deliver the second step of our four-year
plan for the largest personal income tax cut since 2008.
A
family of four with $100,000 combined income now pays nearly $3,000 less in
Saskatchewan income tax than they did in 2007.
By
2028, that same family will pay nearly $4,000 less income tax.
This
significant tax cut also results in over 54,000 Saskatchewan people being taken
off the tax rolls altogether and paying no provincial income tax.
This
reduction in personal income tax is just one of the ongoing affordability
measures enacted by our government in The Saskatchewan Affordability Act.
That
Act also:
· Makes life more affordable for seniors
by raising the seniors supplement and the Personal Care Home Benefit;
· Makes life more affordable for
low-income residents by raising the Low-Income Tax Credit;
· Makes life more affordable for young
people buying their first house by raising the First-Time Homebuyers Tax
Credit;
· Makes life more affordable for
post-secondary graduates and encourages them to start their careers in
Saskatchewan by raising the Graduate Retention Program benefit;
· Makes life more affordable for
homeowners through the Home Renovation Tax Credit;
· Makes life more affordable for families
by raising the Active Families Benefit;
· Makes life more affordable for persons
living with a disability and their caregivers by raising the Disability Tax
Credit and the Caregiver Tax Credit; and
·
Makes
life more affordable for small business owners by keeping the Small Business
Tax at just one per cent.
These
are not one-time measures.
They
are ongoing measures to make life more affordable for everyone in Saskatchewan
every year, year after year.
Our
government will ensure Saskatchewan continues to be the most affordable place
in Canada to live.
SAFETY
Everyone
in Saskatchewan deserves to feel safe and secure in their homes and in their
communities.
Almost
every crime that threatens the safety and security of Saskatchewan people stems
from the trafficking and use of illegal drugs.
Our
government will continue working with the RCMP, the Saskatchewan Marshals
Service and municipal police forces to track down, arrest and prosecute the
criminals who bring this deadly poison into our province and into our
communities.
That
is why our government has committed to hire 100 additional municipal police
officers, 14 new Safer Communities and Neighbourhood (SCAN) personnel and 70
officers within the Saskatchewan Marshals Service.
This
is in addition to our commitment to fund 180 new RCMP positions.
Those
police officers have more tools than ever before to keep our communities and
families safe.
These
include the new Safe Public Spaces Act and amendments to The Safer
Communities and Neighbourhoods Act and The Trespass to Property Act.
Additionally,
several legislative, regulatory and policy measures have been introduced to
protect communities against illicit fentanyl and methamphetamine production,
transportation, trafficking and street use in the province.
During
this session, we will take further action to protect Saskatchewan families and
communities from illegal drugs and crack down on those who profit from them by
introducing The Response to Illicit Drugs (RID) Act.
Our
government is committed to getting drugs out of the hands of criminals and
getting those criminals off our streets.
While
the criminals who traffic this deadly poison deserve to be dealt with swiftly
and severely, our friends and family members who have become caught up in a
life of addiction they are unable to escape on their own deserve our support,
compassion and care.
Our
government continues to work to fully implement a Recovery-Oriented System of
Care and to make recovery the easiest choice for Saskatchewan people.
Of
the planned 500 new addiction treatment beds, almost 300 are already available
and helping patients on their path to recovery in places like Saskatoon,
Lumsden, Estevan, Muskwa Lake, Onion Lake, Lloydminster and North Battleford.
Complex
Needs Facilities are now open in Saskatoon and Regina with future facilities
planned for Prince Albert and North Battleford.
During
this session, we will take the next step to provide the support, compassion and
care those struggling with addictions need by introducing The Compassionate
Intervention Act.
There
are some people with addictions problems who are simply unable to seek the
treatment they need on their own.
Individuals
whose addiction is creating a threat to themselves and others will be required
to enter an addiction treatment program, ensuring they get the help they need
while keeping our communities safe and secure.
Giving
someone struggling with addiction more drugs is not the answer.
Our
government will give them a safe space and the help they need to escape a life
of addiction.
At
the same time, homelessness remains a significant challenge in many
Saskatchewan communities.
Our
government is actively working with all levels of government as well as
Indigenous and community partners to address this complex issue.
Through
our Provincial Approach to Homelessness, our government has added 141 emergency
shelter spaces, 30 complex needs shelter beds and 155 supportive housing units,
as well as providing municipalities with funding for additional warming
capacity.
During
this session, we will release a renewed and expanded Provincial Approach to
Homelessness, which will provide a significant increase in support by providing
outreach services, enhancing public safety and increasing the supply of
supportive housing.
Everyone
deserves a place where they can feel safe.
That
is why we are committed to addressing the complexities of homelessness and
providing that safe place.
Our
government is taking other actions to keep our communities safe.
We
will continue to work with community leaders in our province to call on the
federal government to commit to meaningful bail reforms, including a reverse
onus for those who are repeat violent offenders.
As
North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin said: “We really want those violent repeat
offenders dealt with and taken off our streets and out of our communities.
We’re not asking for more people in prison. We’re asking for the right people
to be in prison.”
Our
government has invested resources and funding to help combat interpersonal
violence through awareness, programming and services, investments into
second-stage housing and a commitment to the National Action Plan to End
Gender-Based Violence.
Violence
and threats of violence no longer happen only in person.
With
greater frequency, we are seeing instances of abuse, intimidation and stalking
online.
In
order to protect Saskatchewan people from these threats and intimidation, we
will introduce The Cyberstalking and Coercive Control Act, which will
amend the definition of interpersonal violence to include coercive or
controlling behaviour, and online stalking and harassment.
Our
government is committed to ensuring Saskatchewan children are safe, secure and
supported.
That
includes financially.
No
child should be left wanting because a parent won’t pay legally required
support.
Moving
out of province should not allow someone to move away from their responsibilities.
During
this session, we will amend The Interjurisdictional Support Orders Act
to ensure support orders are enforced when a parent moves out of Saskatchewan.
Our
government will also protect Saskatchewan residents by amending The Change
of Name Act to prevent those convicted of serious crimes from changing
their name.
The
federal government continues to move forward with its ill-conceived gun buyback
program that will take firearms away from responsible, law-abiding gun owners
while doing nothing to reduce firearm-related crime.
[14:30]
During
this session, we will amend The Saskatchewan Firearms Act to protect
Saskatchewan gun owners from financial liability resulting from federal firearm
prohibitions and preserve their right to receive fair compensation.
EDUCATION
Saskatchewan
schools are giving our students their best start.
Learning
today means success tomorrow.
That
is why our government is putting students first by focusing on improving
Kindergarten to Grade 3 reading outcomes and investing $2 million into
improving student outcomes in those early grades.
Having
students read at the appropriate grade level is one of the most important
measures to guarantee future academic success.
Students
who learn to read by Grade 3 will read to learn in higher grades.
Specialized
support classrooms have been expanded to every school division in the province
and over the next four years, there will be more than 200 in Saskatchewan
schools.
Enrolment
continues to increase across the province, which is why our government is
making record investments into K‑12 education funding and why 115 schools
have been built, replaced or renovated since 2008.
In
Saskatoon alone, 12 new or consolidated schools have been completed with 10
more in the construction and planning stages.
This
year, 16 new or consolidated schools and three major renovations are in
progress across Saskatchewan.
In
just the past month, our government has joined with local school divisions to
open tawâw school in Regina, awâsisak kâ‑nîmîhtocik St. Francis School in
Saskatoon, Nįtélazëtúë Elementary School in La Loche, and the Coteau Hills
Elementary and Our Lady of Hope Catholic joint use schools in Moose Jaw.
In
order to meet the demands for more schools without unnecessary delays, in this
session, we will also introduce The Building Schools Faster Act.
This
Act will require municipalities to acquire and service sufficient land for the
construction of new schools where municipal reserve space is not able to cover
the land needs of new schools.
A
defined cost contribution for the joint purchase of land by the province and
municipalities will be developed.
More
students, more schools and more classrooms mean more teachers are needed.
Our
government is putting students first by funding more than 500 additional
teachers to ensure classrooms are manageable and students receive the attention
they need to succeed.
This
year, our government signed a historic Teachers’ Collective Bargaining
Agreement which will see $131 million going to address student enrolment
and classroom complexity.
With
this funding, more needs will be met and more support will be put in place so
that students can focus on learning and teachers can focus on teaching.
Funding
for teachers, increasing capacity in learning spaces and meeting the needs of
students where they are at will give our students their best start.
After
completing high school, nearly two-thirds of Saskatchewan students go on to
attend some form of post-secondary education.
Saskatchewan
universities, regional colleges and technical institutes are providing students
with the education, skills and training they need for successful careers in our
province.
Our
government is committed to ensuring students receive the best possible education
and training right here in Saskatchewan.
In
2021, we signed a multi-year funding agreement with Saskatchewan’s
post-secondary institutions — the University of Saskatchewan, the University of
Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, First Nations University of Canada,
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies, Gabriel Dumont Institute, Dumont
Technical Institute and Saskatchewan’s regional colleges.
That
agreement provided universities, colleges and technical institutes with
certainty about their level of provincial funding, enabling them to plan for
the future while minimizing tuition increases.
That
agreement has now expired, so during this session, our government will enter
into a new multi-year funding agreement that will once again provide funding
certainty while limiting tuition increases.
Saskatchewan
has now reached over 90 per cent of the 28,000 additional childcare spaces
outlined in the Early Learning and Childcare Agreement with the federal
government.
Saskatchewan
was the third province to reduce childcare fees to $10 a day.
Our
province will put families first by negotiating a better childcare agreement
with the federal government to achieve the best results for parents, children
and caregivers before the current agreement expires in March of next year.
HEALTHCARE
Saskatchewan’s
healthcare system is ensuring everyone gets the care they need.
In
2022, our government implemented the most aggressive Healthcare Human Resources
Action Plan in Canada.
While
every province is facing challenges with recruitment and retention of
healthcare professionals, Saskatchewan is making progress.
Since
the Healthcare Human Resources Action Plan was introduced, there are 346 more
doctors and 2,083 more nurses in Saskatchewan.
The
Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency is actively recruiting healthcare
professionals in the United States and other countries by highlighting the
benefits of practising in Saskatchewan — competitive compensation, lower cost
of living, supportive physician networks and numerous opportunities for career
growth.
This
past summer, Saskatchewan welcomed 11 pediatric specialists, improving access
to care for children and giving parents the confidence that they can access the
specialized expertise their child needs close to home.
Our
government is putting patients first by working to ensure everyone in
Saskatchewan has access to a primary healthcare provider — either a doctor or
nurse practitioner — by 2028.
To
strengthen primary care, we are introducing new contracts for nurse
practitioners.
These
contracts will enable nurse practitioners to work to their full scope of
practice, either by joining existing practices or establishing their own.
Each
nurse practitioner will serve a dedicated panel of patients, ensuring more
residents across Saskatchewan have access to ongoing, reliable care.
People
in rural and remote areas are concerned about access to healthcare.
That
is why the number of communities eligible for the Rural and Remote Recruitment
Incentive has increased to 70.
This
$50,000 incentive will increase the number of healthcare providers working in
rural and remote areas.
Students
have recently started their studies at a new Physician Assistant Program at the
University of Saskatchewan.
Demand
was high with 350 applications for 20 seats.
This
new program will see graduates working in Saskatchewan communities in just two
years.
Seventy-seven
new full-time healthcare positions have been added or enhanced in 30 rural or
remote communities across Saskatchewan.
Our
government has accelerated nursing training, assessment and licensing to make
it easier for international health professionals to start their new careers
here.
In
2007, Saskatchewan had the longest surgical wait times in the country.
A
determined effort was required by both government and the healthcare sector to
address those wait times.
Our
healthcare professionals were successful in reducing the number of people
waiting for surgeries.
Today,
a growing population and the challenges of recruiting and retaining healthcare
professionals have resulted in increased wait times.
A
determined effort is required once again.
Our
government is committed to performing 450,000 surgeries over the next four
years.
That
goal will be reached.
More
than 100,000 surgeries and procedures were performed in 2024‑25.
The
list of patients waiting longer than 24 months is nearly eliminated.
The
number of people waiting more than 12 months is down nearly 25 per cent.
During
the same time period, over 250,000 CT and MRI scans were performed.
Our
government will continue putting patients first by delivering healthcare when
and where they need it.
New
Urgent Care Centres will take pressure off our busy emergency rooms while
offering another alternative for people in need of urgent but not
life-threatening care.
The
new Urgent Care Centre here in Regina treated more than 41,000 patients in its
first year.
Our
government is working in partnership with Ahtahkakoop Cree Developments to
build the new Saskatoon Urgent Care Centre, which is now more than 25 per cent
complete.
Planning
is underway for expansion of urgent care services in Prince Albert, Moose Jaw
and North Battleford as well as additional locations in Saskatoon and Regina,
bringing access to care closer to where people live.
AGRICULTURE
This
year has been challenging for many of our agricultural producers.
Dry
conditions have affected some, particularly in southern Saskatchewan.
Our
government has been responsive to producers facing market and weather-related
volatility.
That
is why, working with the federal government, changes were made to the
AgriStability program.
Compensation
rates for losses have increased by 10 per cent with the cap now at 90 per cent
and the maximum cap for payment has doubled from $3 million to
$6 million.
We
also introduced the 2025 Crown Grazing Lease Reduction Program.
Reliable
risk management programs are essential to keep our agricultural industry
strong.
Agriculture
has a rich history in this province with many farms passed from generation to
generation.
There
is pride in Saskatchewan ownership of our farmland.
Our
government recently enacted new farmland security regulations to ensure
Saskatchewan farmland ownership benefits Saskatchewan producers and to prevent
pension plans from holding or buying Saskatchewan farmland.
Enforcement
of penalties for contravention of The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act
will be strengthened, ensuring compliance with farmland ownership rules and
protecting communities from foreign farmland ownership.
From
farm animals to the pets that many consider a member of the family, no one
wants to see an animal neglected or abused.
To
further protect animals, we will amend The Animal Protection Act.
Changes
to the already strong legislative framework will include the creation of animal
welfare inspector positions to provide education on animal care and
establishing a code of conduct for animal protection officers.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Our
government is meeting the needs of our growing province by building highways
and bridges, schools and hospitals, long-term care facilities and other
much-needed infrastructure.
This
year’s budget for infrastructure was the highest in our province’s history at
$4.6 billion.
That
investment has led to progress on major projects such as the Prince Albert
Victoria Hospital, Weyburn Hospital, Grenfell Long-Term Care Centre, La Ronge
Long-Term Care Centre, Saskatoon City Centre School, Harbour Landing School in
Regina and the Saskatoon Urgent Care Centre to name just a few.
[14:45]
More
than 1,000 kms of provincial highways were improved this year.
Passing
lanes are progressing on Highway 10 and Highway 17, with twinning on Highway 39
at Weyburn.
Our
government is investing a record $122 million this year to build, operate
and maintain highways and airports in northern Saskatchewan.
Progress
continues to be made on the new Saskatchewan Polytechnic Joseph A. Remai campus
in Saskatoon.
Our
government is putting Saskatchewan companies first.
Over
the last five years, over 90 per cent of all procurement has gone to
Saskatchewan companies.
The
Ministry of Highways has awarded over 96 per cent of contracts to Saskatchewan
companies.
Through
SaskBuilds, we are working to keep Saskatchewan people, businesses and
organizations safe and secure by partnering with the federal government and
other provinces on a Cybersecurity Collaboration Agreement to exchange
information, expertise and technology to prevent and mitigate security threats.
This
will ensure that in a world of increasing artificial intelligence development
and cybersecurity attacks, the people of Saskatchewan and their data remain
safe.
PEOPLE,
PARKS AND PARTIES
Saskatchewan
is home to many national, provincial and regional parks, where every summer,
Saskatchewan families enjoy our province’s natural beauty.
This
year, there were more than 930,000 visits to Saskatchewan provincial parks.
Another
great summer and fall activity in Saskatchewan is cheering on our Roughriders,
especially when they are having a winning season like this year.
The
Riders are Saskatchewan’s team so next spring, they will play an exhibition
game at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon.
There
is always a party atmosphere at Mosaic Stadium — the best place in Canada to
watch a game.
We
want fans to have as much fun as possible while still being safe.
That’s
why this session, we will introduce The Tailgating Act.
In
collaboration with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, a new regulatory framework
will be created that will allow tailgating events at Mosaic Stadium prior to
games.
A
new permit type under Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming will be ready before the
start of the 2026 football season.
“From
Many Peoples, Strength.”
Saskatchewan’s
motto is a reminder that our province is made up of people from a variety of
backgrounds from countries around the world — people with diverse and unique
cultures, interests and abilities.
Throughout
the year, we recognize the important contributions made by those diverse people
and cultures through official proclamations of designated recognition dates.
This
session, our government will introduce The “From Many Peoples, Strength” Act
that will allow for the permanent recognition of the special days, weeks and
months requested by these varied and unique groups.
We
are grateful to all those who have chosen to call Saskatchewan home, to all who
contribute to our strong, diverse and vibrant communities, and to all whose
contributions to our province ensure Saskatchewan remains strong, safe and
secure.
CONCLUSION
The
people who built our province could have looked at this land and seen nothing
but insurmountable challenges.
Instead,
they saw opportunity.
Our
responsibility today, and every day, is to honour their legacy by continuing to
find the opportunities in the challenges that face our great province.
Saskatchewan
will meet those challenges and find those opportunities.
In
doing so, we will ensure our economy is strong, our people are safe and our
future is secure.
The
strongest economy in Canada.
The
most affordable place to live in Canada.
Safe
communities.
Schools
that are giving our students their best start.
A
health system that is ensuring everyone gets the care they need.
Those
are the objectives of our government and of this legislative session.
I
leave you now to your deliberations, confident that all Members of this
Assembly will provide the best possible representation for the people who
elected you and for our great province.
God
bless Saskatchewan.
God
bless Canada.
God
save the King.
Speaker
Goudy: — I would invite Chaplain Fred Hill,
Rev. Dr. TV Thomas, and Chief George Cote to come forward for a prayer and
blessing.
Fred Hill: — Does anybody else
feel the heat? There was a time when God’s people were feeling the heat. He
sent them a letter through Jeremiah. They had been taken captive by a country,
Babylon, that’s come on to mean any world system, any government, any
institution, any company, any corporation, or any person that says good things
are evil and evil things are good.
And he brought them a promise. He says,
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good,
not for disaster, to give you a future, to give you a hope.”
But there’s behaviours that he expected
that come with that, and those behaviours are listed just a couple of verses
earlier. Listen to this. He says:
Wherever you are,
wherever I have placed you, I want you to build homes and stay there. I want
you to plant gardens and eat the food that they produce. I want you to find
spouses for your children and grow families. I want you to work for the peace
and the prosperity of the region that I’ve placed you in.
And then it says:
Will you pray for
the well-being of the place that I have put you because their well-being is
your well-being.
And so in keeping with that, we’ve
invited TV Thomas, who serves worldwide, to ask for God’s blessing on
Saskatchewan as it serves in Canada and in the world. TV.
TV Thomas: — Join me in prayer, please.
Almighty God,
thank you for Saskatchewan. Help us to be grateful for your
blessing upon this province. Your word boldly declares that the Lord’s blessing
is our greatest wealth — wealth of family, wealth of community, wealth of
agricultural resources, wealth of natural resources, wealth of industrial
resources.
O God of our future, show us your way.
Show us, Lord, how to steward our unique servant leadership across this country
and across the world. We pray this in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Fred Hill:
— Amen. We’ve also invited Chief George Cote as a recognized leader and
developer of people in Saskatchewan to pray a blessing upon the people of
Saskatchewan as we serve this great province.
George Cote:
— [Chief Cote spoke for a time in Saulteaux.]
Let’s pray.
O heavenly Father, we just thank you,
Lord, for this beautiful day. Father, your word says when the righteous are in
authority, the people rejoice.
We bring blessings onto the Legislative
Building here, Lord, to the Premier and his MPs [Member of Parliament] and to
the opposition as well, and to all the ministries that are represented here in
Saskatchewan.
I pray blessings onto my fellow First
Nation chiefs and their communities as well and the Métis leaders of this
community in Saskatchewan. May we embrace what has been given to us from the
Creator, the resources that are provided on this beautiful land, that we work
in unity and coming together, Father, to supply one another with the resources
that we require so that we can serve our Nations and serve our communities and
serve our towns.
We’re so grateful for all that you
provide, Father. You know, we just give you all the glory for the restoration
that’s coming, Lord. You know, just bless the homeless, the hungry, the sick
and addicted, those dealing with addictions, Father, and those dealing with
grief in our Nations, Father.
You know, only good things can come from
the things that were spoken from the Chair, Lord, this morning on what was
given to Saskatchewan. And we bless each and every one that’s represented
Saskatchewan. It’s such a diverse nation that we embrace and the treaty lands
that we have given to the community members that came along.
We
thank you, Father, for this beautiful day, and we just give you all the glory
and praise for everything that’s coming into Saskatchewan and into Canada,
Lord. Just bring peace and harmony to our communities, and peace and harmony
into our homes, and may we work together in unison, Father, with wisdom,
Father, guided by the Holy Spirit, in righteousness. We thank you for that,
Lord, in Jesus’s name. Amen.
Fred Hill: — Stay with me for a minute. My role as
chaplain is to pray on a regular basis for all of the MLAs [Member of the
Legislative Assembly] and the staff that bring about the work of the
legislature. And so if you would join me, I want to pray for them specifically.
Father, it is our ask that you would
protect and preserve the well-being of all of the MLAs and the staff that serve
in this building. We thank you, heavenly Father, that they have intentionally
set aside their lives to be servants in this place for the blessing and the
honour of Saskatchewan.
Father, we ask that under your
sovereignty, heavenly Father, you would give them godly wisdom to use, and that
you would give them the integrity with which to use it well. Heavenly Father,
we ask that you would develop the character trait of honour amongst all of
them, heavenly Father, and that that would be used with humility.
We ask for your blessing upon this
Assembly for all that they do and achieve for your purposes in this province —
and you can agree with me — in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit. Amen.
Speaker
Goudy: — Thank you. We appreciate your
prayers and blessings.
[At
14:58 Her Honour retired from the Chamber.]
[15:00]
Speaker
Goudy: — We kept the adults awake and
listening, and the babies have been sleeping. So that’s perfect.
I’ll begin with our legislative
blessing:
Present us, O Lord,
in all our doings with thy most gracious favour and further us with thy
continual help, that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we
may glorify thy holy name, and finally by thy mercy attain everlasting life.
Amen.
Please be seated. I recognize the
Premier.
INTRODUCTION OF BILLS
Pro Forma Bill
Hon. Scott Moe: — Thank you, Mr.
Speaker. I move that a bill respecting the administration of oaths of office be
now introduced and read the first time.
Speaker
Goudy: — It has been moved by the Hon.
Premier that the said bill be now introduced and read for a first time. Is it
the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?
Some
Hon. Members: — Agreed.
Speaker
Goudy: — Carried.
Principal
Clerk: — First reading of this bill.
TABLING THE SPEECH FROM THE THRONE
Speaker
Goudy: — I wish to inform this Assembly that
in order to prevent mistakes, I have obtained a copy of the speech of Her
Honour the Lieutenant Governor, and that I will now lay on the Table.
I recognize the Premier.
MOTIONS
Consideration of Speech from the Throne
Hon. Scott Moe: — Thank you, Mr.
Speaker. I move:
That the speech of
Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor be taken into consideration on Thursday,
October 23rd, 2025.
Speaker Goudy:
— It’s been moved by the Premier:
That
the speech of Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor be taken into consideration on
Thursday, October 23rd, 2025.
Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to
adopt the motion?
Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.
Speaker Goudy: — Carried.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Introduction of
Pages
Speaker Goudy: — I wish to inform the Assembly that
the Pages for this session will be Tahera Hussain, Kaleela Sangwais-Thomson,
Diff Zaumu, Usama Chowdhury, and Moise Mujanama. Thank you. They serve
faithfully and they serve well.
Introduction
of Table Officer
Speaker
Goudy:
— And I would like to introduce Miranda Gudereit as the newest Table Officer.
For the last two sessions, she’s been at the Clerks’ Table participating in a
career development program, and Miranda has had the opportunity to learn skills
that will serve her well as the new Table Officer in her role. Please join me in
formally recognizing Miranda as our newest Clerk-at-the-Table.
I recognize the Premier.
Hon. Scott Moe: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would move
that this House now adjourn.
Speaker
Goudy:
— So before putting the question on the adjournment motion, I have a few
announcements and thanks to make. I’d like to thank
all of you, the guests and members, for being here today.
I’d like to thank the chiefs representing the different treaties and the
First Nations peoples from across the province who are here today: Chief Rene
Chaboyer, Chief George Cote, and Chief Jeremy Norman. Thank you for being here and representing your people in
this Chamber today. Thank you for all the work that you do to serve your
people.
I want to also recognize the constitutional-recognized second official
language of French, and we have Denis Simard here representing the ACF
[l’Assemblée communautaire fransaskoise]. And we also have president of the
Métis Nation, Glen McCallum, here with us as well. So thank you for being here
with us today.
We had heard the ones that had prayed. Thank you for being here as well.
I want to acknowledge that we have a few ladies in the balcony that are
going to be singing later: Dr. Tina Alexander-Luna and Renée Coghill. Thank you
for being here and service that you’re providing for us. They had only served
half of their song in the rehearsal, and there was a lot of disappointment so
we’re looking forward to hearing the second half.
We have something in this Chamber. I
don’t know about all of you, but when I sit in this place, an especially
strange feeling in these robes with the tricorne hat. I’ve learned some things
in the seven years that I’ve been here that I didn’t know when I arrived.
And so, for those of you who may be
sitting here and looking at the layout of this Chamber, I just want to make a
few comments real quick. One is that the centre cube there . . .
They’re sharing together with some of the others from the province today. But
there are three branches of government. One is the executive branch, whose head
is our Premier, and his cabinet and the servants. There’s the legislative
branch, which the Speaker leads and all of the Clerks in service. And every
member that’s in this Chamber is represented by the legislative branch. But
there’s also the judicial branch, and we want to honour them today because
those three branches work together — equal and side by side, interconnected to
serve the people.
You may have noticed the prayers focused
on service. And we are part of a constitutional monarchy, so the monarch, each
time they’re coroneted, hold an orb under a cross and a sceptre. And the
Archbishop of Canterbury is the one who performs the ceremony. But there is a
certain amount of submission to something greater than us and that orb under
the cross represents whoever would lead over the people of this world needs to
be willing to lay down their life and be a sacrificial servant.
And so the three branches of government
here today. I just want to acknowledge that there are some very important seats
filled with some very important people, but the most important seats in this
building today are those of the people that we serve. And that’s you, and all
those people back home that you represent: your families, your children, your
communities, your businesses.
And we just want to say — and me as the
servant to the servants — that we honour you and appreciate the trust that
you’ve placed in us to serve you in this great Chamber in this great province.
As the first premier said, this is a great land, a big land with big people
with big ideas. And we’re here to serve and facilitate what you do to make sure
that you are able to carry out your dreams and your visions.
And so I appreciate the Hon. Premier and
his executive government. We appreciate the judges in the judicial branch. And
all of the rest of us in the legislative branch of the government, we
appreciate you being here today and just want to honour you as the ones that we
serve.
I would like to invite everyone to join . . .
Oh my. I forgot the ones who stand on guard for thee. We have the Saskatchewan
Regular and Reserve Forces units. I want to thank them for being here today;
the regular guard of honour being here with us earlier today. I also want to
thank Miles Newman for playing the Vice-Regal Salute this afternoon.
So now I would like to invite you to
join Their Honours, the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition, and members of
the Legislative Assembly at the Speaker’s tea, which will take place
immediately following this Chamber ceremony. The tea will be in two locations:
room 218 in the west wing, and the library reading room in the east wing. And
the beautiful ladies that have been serving year after year after year, they
call themselves the tea ladies. So make sure you appreciate them and thank them
for their service once again.
So at this time it’s been moved by the
Premier that this House do now adjourn. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to
adopt the motion?
Some
Hon. Members: — Agreed.
Speaker
Goudy: — Carried.
And now I would ask that Dr. Tina
Alexander-Luna and Renée Coghill close us off with a song.
[Dr.
Tina Alexander-Luna sang accompanied by Renée Coghill.]
Speaker
Goudy: — Alls I can say is, Dr. Jeff Keshen,
great choice from the University of Regina.
So as we leave, our order of departure
will be the Speaker’s party; Premier and Provincial Secretary; Leader of the
Opposition; judges of the Court of Appeal, King’s Bench, and Provincial Court;
chiefs; president of the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan and the president of the
ACF; members of our cabinet and their spouses; other members of the Legislative
Assembly and their spouses; and our honoured guests. Thank you.
This House stands adjourned until
tomorrow, Thursday, October 23rd at 10 a.m.
[The Assembly adjourned at 15:14.]
Published
under the authority of the Hon. Todd Goudy, Speaker
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