Hon. Jamie Martens: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my honour to rise in the House today recognizing His Excellency Matthias Lüttenberg, the ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany to Canada. Ambassador Lüttenberg has served in his distinguished role since September of 2024, sharing the position with his spouse, Her Excellency Tjorven Bellmann, and each serving in alternating eight-month terms.

Their joint appointment reflects a truly modern approach to diplomacy, and one that values partnership, collaboration, and balance.

Prior to posting in Canada, Ambassador Lüttenberg served as a commissioner to Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and caucus of Germany’s federal foreign office where he advanced strategic relationships across the complex, dynamic region including many other postings. And, Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan and Germany share deep ties in trade, innovation, education, and clean energy. We value Germany’s partnership in advancing sustainable technologies, investment, and exchange of ideas that strengthen both of our regions. Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan has deep cultural ties to Germany, with many residents descended here from Germany.

And during his visit he met with the Premier, the Minister of Trade. And His Excellency, Mr. Lüttenberg, was here to discuss important issues of Saskatchewan’s trade relationship with the German republic and how we’ll work together in the future. And on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan and all members of this Assembly, I ask that everyone welcome His Excellency today.

Mr. Speaker, thank you so much. I would also like to introduce the gentleman that he is with today, and that is Mr. Benedict Emile Nussbaum, who is the honorary consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Saskatoon. And, since his appointment in March of 2023, Mr. Nussbaum has been a valued bridge between Saskatchewan and Germany in supporting cultural business and diplomatic ties. I’d ask that everyone here in the gallery today also welcome Mr. Nussbaum. Thank you so much for coming.

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

Aleana Young: — Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you to all members, it’s my pleasure to rise on behalf of the official opposition here in Saskatchewan and welcome Ambassador Lüttenberg, Her Excellency, and Honorary Consul Nussbaum here to this, the Saskatchewan legislature.

As the member opposite pointed out, we do have deep historic and current ties to the Republic of Germany. I was looking over my shoulder at my colleagues who speak German, seeing if anyone was going to give me a couple of pointers in the minute that I had, but sadly I’m not that quick on my feet.

But on behalf of the official opposition, people here in Saskatchewan, we extend a warm welcome to you and through you to the German republic. I’d ask all members to join me in welcoming these people to the Saskatchewan legislature.

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

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

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. Through you and to you, Mr. Speaker, I’m honoured to welcome many of our post-secondary education leaders from across this very province today seated in your gallery, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, you will see presidents, CEOs [chief executive officer], vice-presidents of finance, directors, board Chairs, board members, Vice-Chairs from all of our post-secondary institutions. There are too many people here to name them all individually — I believe there’s a group of more than 25 — but I am grateful for each one of them being here today. Many have travelled from across our province.

They joined me this morning as our government announced a brand new multi-year funding agreement with publicly funded post-secondary institutions, each and every one of them. Thank you to many colleagues on both sides of the House for attending this announcement this morning. I said that this announcement rises above partisan politics and I truly, truly believe that.

A lot of work that we do together is much appreciated by all members of the House. With our advanced education institutions, it’s a partnership. And I feel fortunate to have committed education leaders from across the post-secondary sector and especially welcome them here today.

So to all colleagues in the House, please help me in welcoming these post-secondary education leaders to their legislature for this truly historic announcement. Thank you.

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

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I join the minister to welcome all the leaders from different post-secondary schools in this Chamber. Thank you very much for educating our young people, and thank you very much for training all sorts of professionals for health care, for mining, for agriculture, and so on. I ask all the members, please join me to welcome all these leaders.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Weyburn-Bengough.

Michael Weger: — Mr. Speaker, I’d request leave for an extended introduction.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s a great day today. I have a few guests to introduce. I’ll start with three individuals seated up in your gallery. They are here on behalf of the Weyburn Theatre Community Service Cooperative. So I’d like to introduce the president, Ryan Janke; vice-president, Corey Morrissette; and treasurer, Sean Purdue.

And, Mr. Speaker, I’m very happy these individuals have come here today to visit with me. We did a quick tour of the building, and they had a quick lunch. And I will have more to say about these individuals during my member’s statement.

Also, Mr. Speaker, I am very excited to introduce the grade 7 class from St. Michael School in Weyburn, along with their teacher, Joanne McLeod. We have 23 students up there, Mr. Speaker. And I can say they drilled me with questions before coming into the Chamber here, and we shared some ice cream and a couple laughs. And I think they did very good; they did very good asking questions.

And I’ll also, Mr. Speaker, point out one individual in this class I have to make special recognition of. Seated on my left, the second from the left there, is my youngest daughter, Abigail Weger. I guess I could have said, just the one with the red face, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier has said it many times that we do not serve alone, and I’m so lucky to have my wife and children that support me. Abigail likes to watch the legislative channel and give me some critiques on my clothing attire and such once in a while.

So thank you for them attending today, Mr. Speaker. Our students are our future. And I would ask all members to please welcome the students from St. Mike’s and three individuals on behalf of the Weyburn Theatre Community Service Cooperative to their Legislative Building.

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

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I would also like to join the member opposite in thanking members of the Weyburn theatre cooperative. It’s great to have opportunities for art to be displayed in all of its forms in our province. And with that, on behalf of the official opposition I’d like to thank you to your Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cumberland.

Jordan McPhail: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour today to rise from my chair and recognize a few northerners, and maybe one former northerner, up in your gallery. I’m going to start off with my former neighbour, who when I decided to cut down some trees in my backyard, her sons were graciously willing to take them away from my yard and plant them in her yard. They still live there to this day.

Marlee Proulx with GDI [Gabriel Dumont Institute] delivers good programs here in the province. Their regional director that I’ve had the honour of knowing for many years growing up in La Ronge, Laura Burnouf is here, provides incredible leadership to the community that she serves.

And last but certainly not least, one person that would probably have a lot of stories if you wanted to know what the MLA [Member of the Legislative Assembly] from Cumberland was like growing up, he knows me both as a neighbourhood kid and a high school student, my former principal, Ken Gray. Good to see you down here in Regina, and thank you for your leadership in, still, continuing education here in the province of Saskatchewan.

On behalf of the official opposition and the member here with Athabasca as well, I’d like to welcome these fine folks to this, their provincial legislature.

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

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I have a pleasure and an honour to have a group of community members from the Azerbaijani community. They are here in the Legislative Assembly with their children.

I will be saying more about in member statement, but I will say today we have participants Rena and Saida — if you can wave your hand — Samira. And they’re along with their children, Rashid, Aleaya, Maya, and Adin and Zara. I will request all members to give them a warm welcome to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Jared Clarke: — 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.

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today we’re joined by Dennis Ogrodnick in your gallery, and Dennis is joined today by his sister Bev Rooney and brother-in-law Mike Rooney.

I’ve been an MLA for two years now and have had the privilege to get to know Dennis over those last two years. And he’s a pretty inspiring guy. As many in the Assembly will know, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer and has been an advocate for cancer patients over the last few months and maybe more. He’s been relentless to re-establish free parking for cancer patients, Mr. Speaker.

He shared with me a personal story of while he was doing treatment in P.A. [Prince Albert]. He met a friend, a fellow patient there who unfortunately passed away. But before she passed, Dennis promised to keep fighting for cancer patients in Saskatchewan. And he continues to do that; that’s why he’s here today.

But, Mr. Speaker, his advocacy didn’t start with advocating for cancer patients. He’s been doing this for a long time. He embodies the spirit of dedication, service, and community. And I want to read a few things to put into the record about this amazing human being.

So Dennis was a teacher for almost four decades. And I’ll have you know, he’s still on the sub list, Mr. Speaker. Some folks here will know Dennis as a public servant. He served as a city councillor in Prince Albert for two terms, and he shared with me that he won his second election with 73 per cent. I don’t know if that was a flex because he was better than me or what, Mr. Speaker, but it’s impressive.

He’s also a huge volunteer, and he has worked with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, the food bank. He served on the P.A. Arts Board, the Terry Fox Foundation. He’s volunteered with various sports teams with hockey, lacrosse, softball, and he is a founding member of Prince Albert’s Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser.

He’s given back to the community in so many ways, Mr. Speaker, and there’s one that I wanted to mention. He sponsors the monthly award for the Hardest Working Minto of the Month, which is a hockey team in P.A. as members know. And the young member, the young hockey player, gets a new suit, a shirt, and a tie from Matheson’s Menswear in Prince Albert each month. So pretty cool program.

The last things I’ll touch on, Mr. Speaker, is Dennis is the recipient of the Friends of the Legion medal. He was the first ever in Saskatchewan. He’s got the Queen Elizabeth Platinum Jubilee Medal, the Paul Harris fellowship award, and he is an honorary member of the Prince Albert & Area Teachers’ Association and a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral Knights of Columbus.

[13:45]

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I just wanted to take a moment to recognize this incredible individual who calls Saskatchewan home. I want to thank him for his advocacy, for his volunteerism, for a life well lived, and to put on the record his contributions to this province.

So with that I ask all members to join me in welcoming Dennis Ogrodnick to his Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you to all members of this Legislative Assembly, I would echo all that was just said about Mr. Ogrodnick, Mr. Speaker.

I would say a few things. First, I don’t think Dennis and I would ever once vote the same in a provincial or a federal election. However that doesn’t mean that we agree on many things, in particular when it comes to the work, the volunteer work largely, that Dennis and his family have done over the years, Mr. Speaker, in Prince Albert and area, the work that Dennis has done as an educator at St. Mary High School for many, many years as well. And there has been, you know, much fruition I think to that work.

And I think of the conversations we had during his time on council with respect to the investment in the hospital in Prince Albert — which we see being built now — with respect to the community share of that hospital and a change in policy when it comes to that project, Mr. Speaker, on the Government of Saskatchewan funding 100 per cent of the capital cost of that facility.

But also far beyond that, with just a beautiful new rec facility in Saskatoon that came about through Dennis and others’ work on city council there as well. And so many other initiatives in Prince Albert — Little Red River Park and so many others. And so many young people that have been influenced by his time as an educator.

And so I would like to join with the members opposite in thanking Dennis for all of his work as a volunteer, as an educator in the city of Prince Albert, which has had an impact far beyond the city of Prince Albert, Mr. Speaker. And I’d ask all members as well to welcome Dennis and his family to the Legislative Assembly.

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

Carla Beck: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to join with the member for Walsh Acres, join with the Premier in welcoming Dennis to this, his Legislative Assembly. You know, there’s so many important things that have been said about Dennis and his love of learning, the positions that he has held in his community, the position that he holds in the hearts of so many people in Prince Albert and surrounding area.

You know, when we think of who we are when we’re at our best in this province, someone like Dennis comes to mind — always willing to help out, to fight for what’s right regardless of how difficult it is. Mr. Speaker, the dogged determination that Dennis has shown to right something that he knows is wrong in his community despite dealing with his own very, very difficult diagnosis, Mr. Speaker, is I think something that we could all learn from, and certainly something that we all admire.

I’ll just add one thing to the long list of reasons that I think it’s important that we honour Dennis here today. I had the opportunity to chat with him and his sister and his brother-in-law just before we came into the Assembly, Mr. Speaker. And he looked me right in the eye and he said, “you know, it’s always been my role, it’s always been who I am to fight for those who are most vulnerable.” Mr. Speaker, I think that’s admirable. I know that he has inspired so many others, and he will continue to do what’s right, Mr. Speaker, despite challenges. And, Mr. Speaker, I think that’s something that we can all admire and reward.

With that, I again invite all members to join me in thanking Dennis and welcoming him and his family to this, their Legislative Assembly.

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

Hon. Alana Ross: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just briefly like to join with the member opposite, the Leader of the Opposition, and the Premier in welcoming Dennis Ogrodnick to his Legislative Assembly. Being a fellow citizen of Dennis’s up in Prince Albert, I must say Prince Albert is much richer for the contributions that Dennis has made to our community.

And even when I first entered into this field, even though we may not agree politically, Dennis was very supportive and very inclusive in his dealing with me, which I really appreciate. And he gave me my very first bag of sunflower seeds to plant, and I so very proudly had those on my table and took a picture just to send to him to show him. So thank you, Dennis, for everything that you have done for everyone in Prince Albert.

I ask all members to please join me in welcoming Dennis Ogrodnick to his Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Government Relations.

Hon. Eric Schmalz: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too would like to rise and recognize Mr. Ogrodnick. Dennis and I served on two councils at the same time. Dennis was with the city of Prince Albert as a councillor for many years, and I was reeve for the RM [rural municipality] of Prince Albert. And our paths crossed frequently. But as many challenges as we’ve had as a city and an RM, no challenge could surpass him having to deal with two Schmalz brothers in his classrooms over the years.

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Ogrodnick has been very gracious and very hospitable and co‑operative with me over the years, Mr. Speaker. And I want to rise and recognize that today. Thank you very much.

Speaker Goudy: — Well I was born in P.A., and it seems like I somehow missed on getting to know you. You’re an influential man in this province.

But I did want to mention one thing. We’ve got the ambassador from Germany, Ambassador Lüttenberg, here today. And I had a chance to speak in Ottawa a couple of weeks ago. We met for the first time, and heard a little bit about this guy. I really like Germans; I ended up marrying one. And one thing that I’ve found since I took over the role in the Speaker’s office is that 30 per cent of Saskatchewan citizens self-identify as German. So when you consider that, that’s a big deal.

And you know, I was driving here and . . . I’m from a farm, rural community. And we really say a lot by the colour of paint we park proudly at the side of the road or at the entrance to our farmyard. And I must say that the Germans have found their way back into the hearts of Saskatchewan farmers by the shade of green that’s changed over the last few years. And so very thankful for the German influence in our province, and welcome here to this place.

And the honorary consul, Nussbaum, welcome here to the Legislative Assembly. Thank you for your service to the people of the province. And with that I will move on to . . . What are we moving on to?

An Hon. Member: — Question period.

Speaker Goudy: — No, we’re not. We’re moving on to petitions.

PRESENTING PETITIONS

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

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to rise today to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly calling for adequate and equitable SAID [Saskatchewan assured income for disability] rates. The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to our attention the following: that poverty has deepened because the SAID program has not increased the basic amount over seven years and does not account for regional realities of the cost of living; that this failure to increase the program represents a decrease of 20 per cent of the benefits since 2012; and that the provincial government has made cuts to many additional benefits formerly available under the program, such as special diet and rental supports.

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to increase SAID rates to account for inflation; respect the constitutional rights of persons living with disabilities in Saskatchewan by halting discriminatory practices and aligning policies with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and indexing SAID basic amount to inflation going forward; and providing targeted relief to those in deepest poverty, such as single individuals paying market rent.

I do so present. The individuals who have signed the petition are from Regina, Mr. Speaker.

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

Bhajan Brar: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this petition to the Legislative Assembly is the affordability crisis.

We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: this inflation is the highest it has been in more than three decades; that according to Angus Reid, 84 per cent of Saskatchewan people are feeling stressed about money, the highest such rate of financial insecurity in Canada; that half of Saskatchewan residents are living paycheque to paycheque before transportation and food costs skyrocketed in 2022; that the Sask Party government’s power, PST [provincial sales tax], and tax hike makes life more expensive.

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to meaningfully address the affordability crisis in Saskatchewan.

This petition has been signed by the residents of Saskatoon. I do so present. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Regina Wascana Plains.

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present a petition calling on the government to reverse the ban on third-party educators from publicly funded schools in the province.

These residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring attention to the following: on August 22nd, 2023 the Saskatchewan government banned all third-party educators from publicly funded schools. This ban includes organizations throughout the province that provide information on sexual assault, consent, healthy relationships, and child sexual abuse prevention. These organizations have been providing research-based education in Saskatchewan schools for decades.

The Government of Saskatchewan’s own domestic violence death review reports have highlighted the importance of prevention education for youth and reducing the rates of intimate partner violence. With Saskatchewan’s worst-in-the-nation rates in intimate partner violence and sexual abuse, the decision to ban these educators will make Saskatchewan’s rates of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and sexual abuse worse rather than better.

The prayer reads as follows:

We respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately reverse its decision to ban third-party educators in Saskatchewan schools and consult with experts in developing a comprehensive curriculum for all Saskatchewan students.

Mr. Speaker, the signatories today reside in Saskatoon. I do so present.

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

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d ask to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to implement rent control.

We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan, wish to bring to your attention the following: Saskatchewan leads the nation in average rent increases; Saskatchewan’s average rent has continued to increase, rising by 4 per cent in the last year; average rent in Regina has gone up to 3.9 per cent in the last year; average rent in Saskatoon has gone 5.4 per cent in the last year; rent control would protect tenants from excessive and unreasonable rent increases; British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island have all implemented rent control.

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately protect tenants and implement rent control.

The signatories of this petition reside in Regina. I do so present.

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

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to fix the funding crisis in the disability service sector and for community-based organizations.

The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: the disability service sector faces a funding crisis that threatens the CBO [community-based organization] workforce stability and ability to provide essential services due to the underfunding of transportation, meals, technology, and maintenance; that direct-support professionals working for CBOs in the disability service sector make significantly less and have far fewer benefits . . . doing similar work in health care and within homes for people experiencing disabilities that are directly operated by the Government of Saskatchewan.

[14:00]

I shall read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to commit to a three-year funding plan that strengthens CBO capacity and stabilizes the sector, while simultaneously collaborating with CBOs on a job analysis for the disability service sector, as well as a full review of the operational funding standards to ensure adequate funding for areas including but not limited to transportation, maintenance, technology, food, insurance, and audit.

The undersigned residents reside in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. I do so present.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Dakota-Arm River.

Barret Kropf: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Last week my colleague from White City-Qu’Appelle let the House know that Regina will be hosting . . .

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

Speaker Goudy: — Sorry, I thought you might have had a petition, which was a surprise.

Well now that we’re out of order, I was wondering why I couldn’t remember what was coming next. But there’s two ladies sitting in our gallery, if I could just introduce two more.

We’ve got Alison Dubreuil from Suncrest College and a Melfort girl, Corinna Stevenson, who I was thinking, after I introduced the ambassador and her honorary counsel general, to remember. But as you know, sometimes I forget things. So welcome here, you two. Thank you for all of the good work that was done with the Advanced Education and the announcement today. It was a great day for Saskatchewan, so welcome to your Legislative Assembly.

Now we’ll go on to reading and receiving petitions.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Dakota-Arm River.

Saskatoon to Host the 2027 Brier

Barret Kropf: — Second time is better. Last week my colleague from White City-Qu’Appelle let the House know that Regina will be hosting the 2027 Grey Cup. Well, Mr. Speaker, I’d hate to try to one-up him, but Saskatchewan just got more exciting news this morning: 2027 will also see Saskatoon host the 100th Brier curling championship.

Mr. Speaker, from February 26th to March 7th of 2027 some of the best curling in the world will take place at the SaskTel Centre in Saskatoon. Fans from across the country will once again descend on our largest city, and we will be ready to welcome them.

Mr. Speaker, while being able to host these events is a privilege for our province, it’s also a sign that Canada and the world knows that Saskatchewan can put a great entertainment environment on. Saskatoon was also host to the Brier for its 75th annual tournament, and we’re proud to see it once again selected for the centennial.

Best of luck to Saskatchewan’s team in the upcoming 2026 Brier. And, Mr. Speaker, fans will be able to get their tickets for the ’27 Brier starting this spring. Thank you very much.

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

Support for Citizens’ Rights in Saskatchewan

Jacqueline Roy: — Merci, monsieur le Président.

[Translation: Thank you, Mr. Speaker.]

On this side of the House we firmly stand for working people, for their wages, and their rights. Next door in Alberta we see the Premier’s good friend Danielle Smith invoking the notwithstanding clause to trample the rights of teachers and force a contract on them. And what does that Premier do? He praises her words, saying it was the right decision.

Last week we met with health care workers. They put their hearts and souls into their work and then — fact — some said they stop at the food bank on the way home because of their low wages. They said they can make more money stocking shelves than working in our very own hospitals.

When the Premier praises efforts to take away people’s rights, Mr. Speaker, workers, unions, cultural minorities, every darn citizen in Saskatchewan should be alarmed. If our rights can be stripped this easily, none of us are safe.

On this side of the House I proudly stand shoulder to shoulder with colleagues who support wages, who support workers, and who support the very basics of human rights. And that government ought to know that if they come after those rights, they better darn well be ready for a fight. This is not, this is not political conviction. This is pure cowardice. Shame on the Premier and shame on that government.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Weyburn-Bengough.

Fundraiser Aims to Bring Back Weyburn Movie Theatre

Michael Weger: — Thank you. And now for a good news story from Weyburn, Mr. Speaker.

The Soo Theatre served the community of Weyburn for nearly 70 years, but was forced to close its doors eight years ago. For Weyburn and area, that closure wasn’t just the loss of a building, it was the loss of an experience, a gathering place, and a tradition that brought families, friends, and neighbours together. I remember watching the Titanic sink as I held my girlfriend’s hand while Céline Dion sang “My Heart Will Go On.” I had a girlfriend.

Mr. Speaker, I’m happy to report that the memory of the Soo Theatre will go on as well, thanks to the Weyburn Theatre Community Service Cooperative. After failed attempts to woo the big theatre chains, the Weyburn Theatre Community Service Cooperative was formed — a small group of passionate community members committed to bringing the magic of going to the movies to residents of Weyburn and surrounding communities.

The group received early start-up funding from Weyburn Regional Economic Development along with feasibility and business planning support from Co-operatives First. This project carries a price tag of nearly $5 million. The philosophy is that if the community can raise the money, it can support a theatre.

So far this has proven to be very true. To date, the community has contributed $1.9 million towards the group fundraising goal of 3 million. The board of the co‑operative hopes this fundraising momentum will continue, with the goal of opening in 2026.

This project is a testament to hard-working Saskatchewan values where communities come together to achieve a common goal.

Speaker Goudy: — Just before we continue on, I want to mention . . . During our member statements there’s a level of freedom to share what’s going on back home and share private members’ statements to the legislature. But let’s remember calling “cowardice” and things like that. Let’s really try to keep our decorum and our comments civil.

I recognize the member from Saskatoon Silverspring.

Centenarian Honoured for Her Service and Sacrifice

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On October 10th I was pleased to attend the 100th birthday celebration for Canadian World War II veteran Ruth Bond-Martinson.

During the Second World War, Ruth served with the Women’s Royal Canadian Naval Service known as the Wrens, part of the vital network that helped protect Allied forces and ensured victory. After the war, Ruth dedicated herself to her family and her community, embodying the same quiet courage and commitment she showed in uniform. She received a Minister of Veterans Affairs commendation in 2008. For more than 35 years, she’s been actively involved in the Maple Leaf Unit, the only all-female veterans group within Canada, which she helped found after being denied membership to the Royal Canadian Legion because of her gender.

Today, as we witness growing global instability from conflicts in Eastern Europe to unrest in the Middle East, Ruth’s century of resilience reminds us of the immense cost of war and the enduring value of peace.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in congratulating Ruth Bond-Martinson on her 100th birthday, and in honouring her service and sacrifice. May we continue to uphold the values for which she and so many others bravely stood — courage, democracy, and peace.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from White City-Qu’Appelle.

Young People’s Passion to Pursue Medicine Recognized

Brad Crassweller: — Thank you. Mr. Speaker, most of us set out in life with the hopes of accomplishing certain things that we’re passionate about. And that passion, many times, drives success. It’s an excellent motivator that provides the fuel to persevere through tough times. Parents, grandparents, spouses, kids, teenagers, athletes, scholars all celebrate accomplishments.

This fall, Mr. Speaker, I had three young people reach an amazing achievement in their educational career: Reece Kirby, Peighton Materi, and Camryn Warnecke. These amazing young people received their white coat at the pharmacy White Coat Ceremony on September 28th. All three of them live in my constituency, and we’re very proud of their accomplishments and their commitment to help others by pursuing medicine. So thank you to Reece, Peighton, and Camryn.

Mr. Speaker, it’s important to point out that here in Saskatchewan we have so many bright and talented young people that I’m confident will provide us the great nurses, doctors, and so many other trades that we need in our thriving province.

I would ask all members of this Assembly to join me in congratulating Reece Kirby, Peighton Materi, and Camryn Warnecke on this achievement in their academic careers. Thank you.

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

Azerbaijani Cultural Association Builds Bridges in Our Province

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my introduction, we have some guests from the Azerbaijani community Cultural Association of Regina, known as AzCAR, joining us today in your gallery. I’m honoured and very pleased to see them over here, and I will talk about their work that they’re doing in our communities in detail.

AzCAR is a non-profit organization established in 2023 by Azerbaijani-Canadians who wish to share and celebrate their rich cultural heritage with the people of Saskatchewan. Over the past two years AzCAR have organized and participated in numerous events where they take part in various community gatherings and showcase their tradition, music, dance, and food with the communities. This includes many Saskatchewan culture days, which explore the cultural parallel between Indigenous and Azerbaijanis’ traditions.

Mr. Speaker, the Azerbaijani community in Regina may be small, but they’re mighty. Right now the volunteers are providing language lessons to grade 4 students in collaboration with the Saskatchewan Association of International Languages, and also actively engaged in many community services initiatives. AzCAR are doing amazing work and are just one example how cultural organizations enrich and strengthen our province and build bridges between communities, bringing people together.

With that I will say I’m really proud, and thank you for the incredible work you’re doing for our communities.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Batoche.

Opposition Position on Trade Missions

Darlene Rowden: — Mr. Speaker, our producers need fair access to the world’s largest markets, including India, China, and the US [United States]. That is why we have invested in nine trade offices around the world to support our producers and exporters.

The NDP [New Democratic Party] has taken a different approach. They have spent the last year attempting to score cheap political points at the expense of our producers. When it comes to India, the NDP have called . . .

Speaker Goudy: — Well we get member statements that are flexible, but “cheap political points,” “attempting” . . . Continue. But my . . .

Darlene Rowden: — When it comes to India, the NDP have called trade missions wasteful, taxpayer-funded travel expenses. The NDP publicly attacked missions to India, calling them “junkets” and “unnecessary.” Even on Evan Bray the NDP jobs critic said, and I quote, “A trip to India sends a wrong message,” and “To me, this trip at this time seems like not quite the priority.” The jobs critic even tweeted, “Leave trade missions to the exporters and experts.”

This is the same reckless NDP who were silent when India imposed tariffs on chickpeas and lentils. This is the same reckless NDP who were silent when India imposed tariffs on peas from 2017 to ’23. Only today when it’s politically expedient are the NDP calling for trade missions.

Mr. Speaker, it’s no wonder the lost and reckless NDP has zero credibility when it comes to trade.

QUESTION PERIOD

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

Food Bank Usage and Affordability Measures

Carla Beck: — Well, Mr. Speaker, after 18 years of this Sask Party government, Saskatchewan people are working harder and harder but they’re falling further behind. Let’s look at The Battlefords, where 1 in 10 people in that area are turning up to food banks just to put food on the table. That’s 1 in 10, Mr. Speaker. And 40 per cent of those are children. Further we’ve got seniors in the area relying on the food bank in numbers that have doubled since that Premier took office.

What does the Premier, Mr. Speaker, have to say to the growing number of people in The Battlefords who are relying on the food bank just to put food on their tables?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, on numerous occasions we’ve had the discussion on the floor of this Assembly, in the rotunda, with respect to what is really a Canadian challenge; however Saskatchewan certainly is not exempt from the inflationary pressures that families are seeing across this nation, Mr. Speaker. That’s why very much this government, and in the last election, this party ran largely on a platform of ensuring that Saskatchewan remains the most affordable place in Canada to live today, as it has been, and into the future.

Mr. Speaker, that’s why we have enhanced what was about $2 billion in affordability measures in each and every budget in years gone by, is now two and a half billion dollars in affordability measures, with an effort to ensure that everyone in the province would feel the investments that were being made. Whether it’s the extension of the graduate retention program for new career individuals that’ve just left post-secondary institutes, whether it’s those that are living with a disability, seniors, families, Mr. Speaker, everyone had something in the last platform that we ran on, Saskatchewan people voted on, and was delivered in the most recent budget, Mr. Speaker.

[14:15]

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

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, if we’re doing so well . . . [inaudible] . . . seniors in The Battlefords using the food bank has doubled since that Premier took office, Mr. Speaker. But it is not just The Battlefords. The number of people using the food banks has increased by almost 50 per cent province-wide, and we have the highest percentage of children using the food bank in this province compared to all other provinces, Mr. Speaker. Yet we have a premier that defends his taxes on children’s clothing and groceries, all while he refuses to do a thing to reduce the skyrocketing rate of rents in this province.

Now Erin Katerynych, Mr. Speaker, the executive director of The Battlefords food bank, recently said, and I quote, “At one time, we mainly supported people on social assistance. Today we’re seeing working families who can’t make ends meet. Food costs are up, rent is up, but wages are not.”

Does the Premier have any idea how badly people in this province are struggling, or is he going to stand up again and tell them how affordable things are?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Social Services.

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And as the Premier has said, Saskatchewan remains one of the most affordable places to live, work, and raise a family in Canada.

Over the last two years, this has been a government that has supported the Food Banks of Saskatchewan with $2 million over the last two years to help with their operations, Mr. Speaker. You know, we recognize that rising costs impact people differently, and that’s why our government continues to take meaningful action to make life more affordable. This includes the Saskatchewan employment incentive that helps low-income working families with essential costs.

I would point to the latest Food Banks Canada HungerCount report in 2025, Mr. Speaker. This report has confirmed that Saskatchewan’s overall food bank usage is below the national average. Increases in food bank usage in the last five years were higher in seven provinces, including NDP Manitoba and NDP British Columbia, Mr. Speaker.

While we don’t want to see anyone need to rely on food banks to feed their families, Mr. Speaker . . .

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

Impact of Tariffs on Agricultural Producers

Carla Beck: — Speaking of struggle, producers in this province were dealt another blow last week with news of India’s 30 per cent tariff on peas. Mr. Speaker, of course this is on top of the Chinese tariffs on peas and canola and pork that we’ve seen since last March.

We know that it took the Premier six months in that case to get to China while producers in this province suffered. We now have new tariffs from India. I wonder if it will take another six months, Mr. Speaker, for this Premier to act, or will he get on a plane, get to India, and get these tariffs removed?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Agriculture.

Hon. Daryl Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You’ve got to be kidding me. Those members opposite, time and time again, have lashed out against our trade offices and our trade missions.

Mr. Speaker, a headline from SaskToday just last year: “Moe’s latest visit to India draws the ire of the opposition.” Another quote, the member from Regina South Albert . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — When we ask questions, we listen to the answers.

Hon. Daryl Harrison: — Mr. Speaker, the member from Regina South Albert . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Oh my. Please.

Hon. Daryl Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The member from Regina South Albert, the opposition, says, “This trip to India is unnecessary.” Quote on the CBC [Canadian Broadcasting Corporation], February 20th, 2024. Mr. Speaker, there’s another quote also from the member from Regina Albert South: “It looks like Premier Moe is flying away from his problems, and taxpayers are footing the bill.”

Mr. Speaker, we’ve always been here to support our producers. Our trade offices around the world have been there to support our producers as well. Thank you.

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

Hospital Parking Fees and Supports for Cancer Patients

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today we’re joined by Dennis Ogrodnick. Dennis has been battling two things: cancer and this Sask Party government’s decision to charge cancer patients parking fees.

Cancer patients already have enough to worry about, but this is what happens when you have this government in power for 18 years. Cancer patients should not have to come down to their legislature to make their case, Mr. Speaker. This is cruel and mean-spirited.

Why is Saskatchewan slapping cancer patients with parking fees?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And before I provide an answer, I’ll also take the opportunity to welcome Mr. Ogrodnick to his legislature, and thank him for his advocacy for patients over the years, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, when it comes to parking fees charged in Prince Albert, or anywhere in the province, half those parking fees roughly that the Saskatchewan Health Authority collects goes right back into maintenance of the parking lot. It costs money to plow snow and paint lines and pave parking lots, Mr. Speaker.

The other half of those revenues go directly right into patient care. These dollars are why we can make significant investments, especially in Prince Albert, Mr. Speaker. Look at a billion-dollar investment into Prince Albert Victoria Hospital. A new urgent care centre on the way. A three-and-a-half-million-dollar contribution to Ronald McDonald House, Mr. Speaker. The Saskatchewan Health Authority will continue working on a consistent approach to parking across the province.

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

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It shouldn’t be on the backs of cancer patients to balance that government’s budget.

Dennis said it best: “I shouldn’t be fighting my government. I should be fighting my disease.” Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Cancer Society states that cancer costs the average patient $33,000. Cancer comes with an incredibly huge price tag, and after 18 years this Sask Party government is nickel-and-diming cancer patients.

Why on earth would this government ever think charging cancer patients for parking is a good idea?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I outlined in my previous answer, when it comes to the parking fees collected by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, half of those fees are what the Saskatchewan Health Authority requires to maintain and continue to build parking lots where necessary. But the other half goes directly into patient care, whether that be cancer care for patients, whether that be making significant investments like are being made in Prince Albert, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier in his comments earlier today pointed out that the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital project is exempt from community share, saving Prince Albert taxpayers nearly $200 million with the building of that new hospital building. These are exactly the sort of investments, Mr. Speaker, that put patients first and make care available closer to home.

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

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again this government should not be balancing their health care budget off the backs of cancer patients, Mr. Speaker. Dennis protested these fees at the Premier’s dinner just a few weeks ago. He heard tons of support from some of the members opposite. From others, he was ignored.

Dennis tells me that he watched as local MLAs and many members of cabinet walked past him and he was ignored. His local MLAs, members for P.A. Northcote and Carlton, according to Dennis, were some of the ones that ignored him. Is this the treatment that cancer patients in Saskatchewan can expect from the Sask Party?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — You know, what Saskatchewan residents can expect from this government when it comes to health care, Mr. Speaker, is added investment into care as close to home as possible to put patients first, Mr. Speaker.

I think about the investments that are made each and every single year into the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency to improve access to drugs, to improve access to clinical trials, not to mention the significant investments that are being made in Prince Albert and other northern communities, Mr. Speaker. That’s what Saskatchewan residents can come to expect from this government.

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

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, it seems there is some divide on that side of the House. Current and former MLAs stopped to chat with Dennis. Some offered support and told Dennis that they agreed that these fees must be scrapped. Some even told him to continue his campaign, like former MLA Christine Tell and the member from Martensville.

I think this government knows full well that charging cancer patients for parking is a bad policy. Mr. Speaker, why doesn’t that minister listen to his current and former colleagues and re-establish free parking for cancer patients in Saskatchewan?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Mr. Speaker, I’d also outlined in one of my previous answers that the Saskatchewan Health Authority is working towards a consistent approach on parking fees right across the province. The SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority] continues this work after the amalgamation of regional health authorities, Mr. Speaker.

When it comes to the parking fees collected, Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned, whether it be in Prince Albert or Regina or Saskatoon or Moose Jaw or any other community, again half of those parking fees go into the maintenance of parking facilities right across the province and the other half go right back into providing better patient care closer to home for all Saskatchewan residents.

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

Health Care Staffing and Provision of Emergency Services

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I visited Saskatoon City Hospital, and it was closed because, again, of a shortage of doctors. People needing emergency care were told to go to RUH [Royal University Hospital] and St. Paul’s; however both, both of these hospitals are absolutely overrun already.

What does the minister say to the people of Saskatoon who no longer believe that emergency medicine will be there for them when and if they need it?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday we did have a last-minute, unforeseen lack of physician availability, Mr. Speaker . . .

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as I said, yesterday at Saskatoon City Hospital we had a last-minute, unforeseen lack of physician availability. We did provide notice to Saskatoon and area residents . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Can we just pause the clock for a second? Okay. When we expect that we’re quiet and then we laugh when I pause it . . . We’ve got two Whips in this Chamber and Deputy Whips, and sometimes when the Whips are speaking up I don’t know who’s going to keep us in line.

So I would just ask, could we please show some decorum back and forth, and let’s not let it . . . Because we know what happens. One person gets . . . and then the other side, and then it’s back and forth. And then my job is very difficult.

So please show some decorum. Listen to the answers. Listen to the questions. Please, Minister of Health, go ahead.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, unforeseen vacancies like this are exactly why the Saskatchewan HealthCare Recruitment Agency continues to do aggressive work both across our country and in countries around the world, Mr. Speaker.

We just came back from several visits recruiting emergency physicians in different cities in the United States. We’re going to be heading to the United Kingdom and Ireland next week, Mr. Speaker, to help fill these positions and make sure that care can be available to Saskatchewan residents.

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

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think we need to review the difference between less and more. The Premier and the minister have promised that they’re going to increase, give us more urgent care capacity in Saskatoon, but we can’t even keep the ERs [emergency room] that we have in our hospitals open and running properly right now. Again this weekend we saw Saskatoon ERs either overwhelmed or outright closed. This is what we get after 18 years of Sask Party government.

My question for the minister opposite is, how, how are you going to staff the UCC [urgent care centre] when it opens, when you can’t even staff the existing ERs that we have in the city?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. And you know, Mr. Speaker, let me tell you how we’re going to staff the urgent care centre in Saskatoon, a second urgent care centre in both Regina and Saskatoon, as well as the ones in Prince Albert, North Battleford, and Moose Jaw, Mr. Speaker. It is through the most ambitious health human resources action plan . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre, please. We’re very witty — everybody in this room, super witty — but let’s keep our comments to ourselves until we’re asking questions or giving answers.

Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — You know, as part of this plan, we have added 900 health care training seats over the last three years, represented by the very institutions that are here at the legislature today, Mr. Speaker, and just signed a new multi-year funding agreement with that Minister of Advanced Education. How we’re going to staff those urgent care centres, Mr. Speaker, is adding more training seats, ensuring that Saskatchewan students have the opportunity to train close to home and staff up these health care facilities. Thank you.

[14:30]

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

Payments to US Communications and Social Media Companies

Erika Ritchie: — Mr. Speaker, the CIC’s [Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan] 2024‑25 payee disclosure report came out last week. SaskPower reports a payment of $114,428 to Starlink. Starlink, the satellite communications company owned by Trump ally Elon Musk.

After 18 years of running SaskTel into the ground, why is it this government has to contract out connectivity services to Elon Musk when we should be able to deliver this through our Crowns?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of CIC.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I would say this by way of introduction: our priority is the health and safety of our staff. And those who are working in remote locations that only have access to satellite communications, of course we’re going to use whatever tools are available to make sure that they are safe doing their job, Mr. Speaker. And in many cases that means using Starlink, as other provinces do across the country as well, including British Columbia.

But if their principled position on this, Mr. Speaker, is that no business should be done with Elon Musk, I would ask this of the Leader of the Opposition: why did she just renew her premium account with Twitter and X?

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

Erika Ritchie: — Mr. Speaker, I don’t think the minister is taking this seriously enough. Starlink is owned by Elon Musk — Elon Musk who has advocated for the US annexation of Canada and supported Trump’s tariffs that are hammering jobs here. The minister knows this. Not only have they paid this US company, they have not cancelled one US contract since.

Why does the Sask Party support American companies time and time again?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of CIC.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — I mean, Mr. Speaker, we are going to use Starlink, and we do because that is the system that provides health and safety for employees, whether it be of SaskPower who are working on power transmission infrastructure in northern Saskatchewan where they don’t have access to other forms of communication. Of course we’re going to use Starlink — as other jurisdictions do across the country — and we’re not going to apologize for that.

Mr. Speaker, though, there is a question here, a fundamental question of principle. Because what they are objecting to for the use of Starlink is because it’s Elon Musk. Why are they paying Elon Musk to use Twitter and X?

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

Contract for Tire Recycling

Aleana Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. One year after this government led to the layoffs of 100 workers at Shercom Industries, the tires that that Saskatoon company once recycled are now piled up at a government facility so high that you can see them from space. Now, Mr. Speaker, whatever the Sask Party government was trying to do by giving this contract to an American company clearly failed.

Will the Environment minister immediately restore the province’s tire recycling contracts to Shercom, bring these jobs back to Saskatchewan, and clean up the massive tire pile north of Clavet?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of the Environment.

Hon. Travis Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Tire Stewardship of Saskatchewan is an industry-led board. They are tasked with keeping tires out of the landfill. That is the original goal of the organization. And they are also tasked with the responsibility to ensure tires are recycled all across the province of Saskatchewan. These questions are best directed toward the Tire Stewardship of Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

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

Aleana Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s like I’ve heard these exact same talking points before. So, Mr. Speaker, as a reminder, TSS [Tire Stewardship of Saskatchewan] reports directly to the Environment ministry. The buck stops with that minister.

The terrible decision, Mr. Speaker, to push Shercom out of the tire recycling market was bad for jobs, bad for the environment, bad for our economy, bad for the future growth and prosperity of our communities. It seems like the only one who benefited was a company from Newport Beach, California.

Mr. Speaker, why is this tired and out-of-touch, 18‑year-old Sask Party government sending good-paying Saskatchewan jobs to the USA [United States of America] at a time when Donald Trump is trying to crush our economy?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of the Environment.

Hon. Travis Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Tire Stewardship of Saskatchewan is an independent, industry-based organization that manages tire recycling in the province of Saskatchewan. The government is not involved in program operations, including awarding contracts. We’ve expanded the board in June. They are in charge of seeing all tires recycled across the province of Saskatchewan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Aleana Young: — Thank you. Mr. Speaker, Shercom Industries, again a Saskatchewan-based company, continues to produce value-added products for playground surfaces, hockey rink flooring, and more. But it’s at reduced capacity, Mr. Speaker, after being shut out of Saskatchewan’s tire recycling market, with imported crumb rubber from outside of this province. Meanwhile we have a tire mountain — again visible from space — north of Clavet. It makes no sense.

Mr. Speaker, a question directly to the minister: why won’t this government let Shercom recycle Saskatchewan tires?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of the Environment.

Hon. Travis Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Government of Saskatchewan does not award contracts. The Tire Stewardship of Saskatchewan awards contracts. It is up to them to decide who receives the contracts. They award the contracts. They are in charge of all the recycling of tires in the province of Saskatchewan. These questions are best directed toward them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Overdose Deaths and Treatment for Addictions

Betty Nippi-Albright: — Miigwech, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, nearly one person has died every day this year from drugs. People are dying almost every day from toxic drugs. Wait-lists for in-patient treatment and detox are long. And we are losing so many of our young people. We talk about our next generation; we’re losing them. Mr. Speaker, it shouldn’t be this way in a province as rich as Saskatchewan. It shouldn’t be. Yet that is our reality that we face.

After 18 years of this Sask Party government, the drug crisis is out of control. This government says they are opening 500 in-patient treatment beds, but we know that’s not enough. When will they ensure there are more voluntary beds and detox spaces for the people who need treatment right now?

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker, and of course, every loss of life due to an overdose is a tragedy. And I actually couldn’t agree more with the member opposite when she talks about these illicit drugs being dangerous and that they’re killing the people of our province, Mr. Speaker.

That is why on this side of the House, we agree that illicit drugs should be out of the hands of those dealers, and, Mr. Speaker, for those individuals, we want to get them into recovery and we do have that goal of 500 beds. We have just about 300 in place right now, Mr. Speaker. We’re going to get to our 500.

Once we reach that point, Mr. Speaker, we will evaluate the services that are out there. We know that there will likely be more services that have to become available, and at that point we’ll determine what is necessary, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

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

Government Signs New Multi-Year Funding Agreement with Post-Secondary Institutions

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you again to the many advanced education guests in our galleries. Today our government has announced, with representatives from post-secondary institutions across Saskatchewan, the signing of a new multi-year funding agreement.

This four-year agreement will provide approximately $250 million in additional funding to our institutions over the next four years. That $250 million will be delivered through annual funding increases of 3 per cent. This year we announced a one-time 1 per cent increase to operating funding in the 2025‑26 budget. That one-time increase will also be made permanent. Our funding commitment will have a positive compounding effect on institutions’ operating funding. This ensures institutions can continue delivering high-quality education that equips graduates to succeed in our workforce.

This agreement also supports student affordability. Institutions have agreed to lower the annual tuition increase limit to a range of zero to 3 per cent. This is lower than the current agreement maximum of 4 per cent, making education more accessible and predictable for Saskatchewan students.

Post-secondary leaders from across our province have shown a strong commitment to working with government in the best interests of the sector. We are proud to support them and thank them for their collaboration and commitments to our students.

Our government is giving our students their best start, and we understand the transformative power of post-secondary education. It’s where dreams take shape, where skills are sharpened, and where opportunities begin. It is also the foundation of a strong, safe, and secure Saskatchewan, supporting a diverse workforce and resilient economy. This agreement, Mr. Speaker, rises above partisan politics and it is truly transformational. Thank you for the opportunity to bring this forward in the House today.

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

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a welcome announcement that all the post-secondary schools were looking for this multi-year funding agreement, and they were looking for stable, predictable funding. It happened. For many people, this announcement is too little too late for the many people who were laid off last month, who were laid off this year. 128 people, faculty and staff, were laid off at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Mr. Speaker. For many of them their last day to work is the day before Christmas. For those people, this announcement is too late.

And for Saskatchewan Polytechnic, they have closed two bookstores. They have laid off more than 50 per cent of their counselling staff. This will have a direct negative impact on the learners.

So once again in closing, Mr. Speaker, it’s a welcome announcement, but it’s too little too late. Thank you.

STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER

Ruling on a Point of Order

Speaker Goudy: — And before orders of the day, which includes written questions, I just wanted to read here.

On Wednesday, October 29th, 2025, during first reading of Bill No. 605, the Government House Leader raised a point of order. I’ve reviewed the record, the bills, and the parliamentary authorities. I am also prepared to make my ruling.

In his point of order, the Government House Leader correctly asserts that rule 59(e) states, “A motion may not be moved if it is substantially the same question as one that has been decided in the same session.”

The rule prevents the Assembly from reaching contradictory decisions on questions of the same subject, and it supports an important parliamentary principle as noted in Beauchesne’s, 6th edition, paragraph 558.

Bosc and Gagnon, in the House of Commons Procedure and Practice, 3rd ed., pages 746 and 747, describes the process of first reading and the formality of placing a bill on the order paper under government orders or private members’ business.

When I looked at the precedents of our Legislative Assembly, similar bills have stood together on the order paper many times. In the past two decades, there are six instances in which similar bills have stood on the order paper simultaneously.

Another parliamentary authority, Erskine May, also details this circumstance on page 578 of their 23rd edition.

As is outlined by the parliamentary authorities, introducing and setting down a bill for second reading is procedural in nature. Typically, the first decision to be made by the House on a bill is its second reading motion. Currently, no debate has occurred and no decision has been made in regard to either bill. The opportunity to apply rule 59(e) would only occur once the Assembly votes on the second reading motion.

[14:45]

I’d like to note that the Government House Leader is correct that the bills are essentially the same question. However, as is supported by the parliamentary authorities and by rulings of previous Speakers, the point of order is too soon in the parliamentary process. Once a decision on the second reading motion for either bill is made, both bills cannot proceed. The bill that receives second reading will continue. At that time the other bill will need to be withdrawn, or I will be required to order it removed from the order paper. Therefore I find the point of order not well taken, and order that Bill No. 605 be set down for a second reading. So thank you.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

WRITTEN QUESTIONS

Speaker Goudy: — Now we’ve got orders of the day and written questions. I recognize the Government Whip.

Sean Wilson: — I wish to order questions 1 through 14.

Speaker Goudy: — Questions no. 1 to 14 are ordered.

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

SECOND READINGS

Bill No. 24 — The Saskatchewan Internal Trade Promotion Act

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Trade and Export.

Hon. Warren Kaeding: — Good. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to present The Saskatchewan Internal Trade Promotion Act, 2025 today.

This initiative is intended to strengthen internal trade by enabling mutual recognition. The Act will allow Saskatchewan to recognize similar regulatory requirements in other provinces and territories. This means Canadian businesses won’t need to go through unnecessary approval processes. In other words, a good that is acceptable for sale in another province and territory is suitable to be sold in Saskatchewan, or a service offered in another province can also be offered here.

So, Mr. Speaker, that’s called mutual recognition and it helps businesses by reducing the time, effort, and money spent on approval processes. At its core it helps reduce red tape, which means businesses can focus on what really matters and that’s the quality of their products and services.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to be part of a government that is consistently stepping up, creating jobs and opportunities for citizens across the province, one that works hard to remove regulatory burdens and make the lives of our entrepreneurs easier while increasing our competitiveness.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan is a destination of choice for investors across the globe. When we speak to investors, they tell us that they choose Saskatchewan because of our stable regulatory environment and our continued focus on a competitive business environment. So this Act moves forward both of those priorities, and it helps move our already strong advantage even further — something that we need more than ever as we continue to diversify our exports and attract investment.

What’s great is how we can extend the principle of mutual recognition to almost all goods and services while still preserving important public and social policies. And we’ll preserve those by automatically excluding goods and services provided from Crown corporations and the procurement of goods and services from Government of Saskatchewan entities, including Crowns. Professions are already covered under the labour mobility and fair registration Act, are also out of scope, and Saskatchewan regulations remain in place.

The regulatory requirement is identified as serving as a barrier to trade. The Act allows a minister to issue a compliance order to relevant regulators to implement mutual recognition. It also allows the minister to exempt goods and services where it is necessary to protect public safety, the environment, or the consumer. And finally, the Act also ensures that Saskatchewan can comply with existing and future interprovincial trade agreements.

Mr. Speaker, mutual recognition reduces administrative burden for businesses selling their goods and services across Canada. Simply put, it reduces costs and red tape while enhancing trade across provinces and territories. And that’s something that our government is wholeheartedly committed to.

We’ve long been an advocate for making trade across Canada as streamlined and as easy as possible, and we have made this clear through our participation in the committee on internal trade and the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. Beyond that, we have shown this commitment through several memoranda of understanding on internal trade with Ontario, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island. So through these efforts we reaffirm our priority to deepening interprovincial collaboration and further enhancing trade.

This Act is just one more way we are strengthening ties across the country, and it’s one more way we are standing strong for our province and the people who call it home. This’ll lead to more opportunities, jobs, and services that the people of Saskatchewan both need and deserve. And we need to seize this opportunity to shape a future where Saskatchewan remains a leader in advancing internal trade and economic opportunities for generations to come. Through efforts such as these, we will remain the strongest economy in Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to now move second reading of The Saskatchewan Internal Trade Promotion Act. Thank you.

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

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to stand in response in adjourned debate on this important piece of legislation, Bill No. 24, The Saskatchewan Internal Trade Promotion Act. I just want to thank the minister for his comments on the record here today, giving us an idea of what the government’s intentions are with this Saskatchewan internal trade promotion Act.

You know, I do have to say though, Mr. Speaker, that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery — as I was proud to be a part of stakeholder engagement this summer on a very similar topic as we’ve seen with the bill that my colleague, the shadow minister of Trade and Export Development, has put on the table, Bill No. 605. I really hope that it does continue to spark important conversations. I’m a bit biased. I do believe that our bill is a bit better than the one that the government is putting forward, but we will talk about that a bit later in my remarks here.

You know, Mr. Speaker, I also have to say that I too have . . . I just have to say, I did at one point join the Minister of Trade and Export Development on a trade trip to India at one point, and we did visit those important trade offices. And nowhere now is there a more important time than to access the services of those important trade offices in this moment of tariff crisis that we’ve seen. Our producers have to come first. We have to make that work happen here in this Chamber.

I’ll come back a tiny bit, Mr. Speaker, about kind of what led up to the implementation of this bill. Canada is experiencing an existential threat right now as it pertains to trade, our economy, and our sovereignty. Our longest and closest trading partner has upended years of relationship with Canada, unprovoked, Mr. Speaker. I don’t think anyone could have expected this.

We are in a state of uncertainty in our country and as a province in this great country. Thus Canada and of course its provinces — Saskatchewan being one of them — has been tasked with a great trade realignment, Mr. Speaker, has been forced into a position of realigning our trading relationships east-west, no longer able to rely upon a north-south relationship.

And perhaps one of the greatest learning outcomes from this, Mr. Speaker, is that Canada should be able to stand on its own two feet. Canada should be able to rely on the other members of this great federation that we call Canada to have fair access to fair trade across our borders, across provinces, Mr. Speaker.

What we’ve seen though from this Sask Party government, Mr. Speaker, is a soft approach to this threat, to this crisis. Far too many members I believe, Mr. Speaker, on the government benches are far too likely to be apologists to the American president than take a firm stand in this crisis, a crisis that’s attacking our economy and our sovereignty. Up until now that soft approach to internal trade has been signing a number of MOUs [memorandum of understanding], Mr. Speaker, largely ceremonial MOUs with very little impact on the trade relationship that Canadians expect from their provinces.

And then we saw a Throne Speech that had absolutely no plan in it to address this crisis that we are seeing with this north-south relationship. In fact the very weekend after that Throne Speech was read into this Chamber, the American president completely cancelled all trade negotiations with Canada. We needed to see a plan in that Throne Speech that laid out what this government was going to do in response to the failure of those trade negotiations, Mr. Speaker.

So finally today we are seeing something of consequence from this government with this piece of legislation. And as I mentioned, I’ve been proud to be part of a caucus that spent our summer engaging with stakeholders as we plan to put forward very similar legislation. Mr. Speaker, we’ve seen from our friends east in Manitoba bring a very similar piece of legislation. You know what? I really think they got it right. If I have any advice for this government, it’s to look towards Manitoba’s lead on this file.

Now I had intended to dive into a little bit about what this Act does, but the minister did such a good job of laying that out, so I want just to talk a bit about some of what we believe we should be either . . . And in the case of carving out of this legislation, you know, this summer again I mentioned the shadow minister of Trade and Export and I met with many of our labour partners here in Saskatchewan.

And their message was very clear. Their number one concern from any mutual recognition legislation or any legislation that looks at internal trade quote unquote barriers is that they are gravely concerned about a race to the bottom when it comes to standards: a race to the bottom when it comes to employment standards and a race to the bottom when it comes to the occupational health and safety requirements and standards that workers in Saskatchewan trust every single day.

We do not trust this government not to throw those workers under the bus, Mr. Speaker. We do not trust that they will not sacrifice labour standards and the well-being of Saskatchewan workers. Because their record on protecting workers is frankly dismal, Mr. Speaker. This is one of the most anti-worker governments in Canada at this moment.

And that’s why I believe that this legislation put forward by the minister ought to look at the work that the shadow minister of Trade and Export has done over this last number of months. We ask that they look at carving out occupational health and safety from this mutual recognition, as that’s what we were proposing.

You know what? Very similar legislation, Mr. Speaker, but what we really specifically looked at was labour standards and occupational health and safety in an effort not to make that race to the bottom a reality. Clear messaging: if you want to work in Saskatchewan, you can come work at our safety standards. They do not need to be lowered to accommodate workers coming into this province.

And so at this time, Mr. Speaker, I know we’ll be doing a lot of work analyzing this legislation, reviewing it. And you know what? There will be a lot of debate on this floor, and my colleagues will weigh in. I know that a lot of work will be done continuing to engage with stakeholders. So at this time, Mr. Speaker, you know, I think I’ve left my comments on the record around safety and labour standards and ensuring that we continue to have the best-trained labour force and the safest workforce in Canada.

I will move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 24, The Saskatchewan Internal Trade Promotion Act.

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. 25 — The Income Tax (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act, 2025

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Jim Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to speak to the income tax amendment Act, 2025.

These amendments support the delivery of a key election platform commitment that was announced in our ’25‑26 provincial budget. The changes further reflect our government’s continued focus of making life more affordable for families. They also ensure that our tax system remains efficient, clear, and aligned with the Canada Revenue Agency administrative requirements.

This initiative is a significant step to support those individuals and families in Saskatchewan who are facing the challenges of infertility. Starting January 1, 2025, this credit will provide meaningful financial assistance, covering 50 per cent of eligible fertility treatment costs and related prescription drugs up to a maximum benefit of $10,000 per individual. This tax credit is fully refundable, meaning anyone can claim its benefits regardless of their income level.

This proposed legislation includes some minor amendments at the request of the Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA. These amendments will ensure that the CRA has the legislative authority to administer the fertility treatment tax credit and that the CRA has a legal basis to issue a refund payment of the refundable tax credit amount to the tax filer.

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Mr. Speaker, these legislative amendments reflect our government’s commitment to deliver for Saskatchewan. Helping families afford fertility treatments and ensuring the income tax system remains fair and effective helps to provide a better future for our province.

I now move second reading of the income tax amendment Act, 2025.

Speaker Goudy: — Is the Assembly ready for the question? I recognize the member from Saskatoon Meewasin.

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to be on my feet here entering into adjourned debate and responding to the minister’s comments on the record for Bill No. 25, The Income Tax (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act, 2025.

Mr. Speaker, I just want to start by thanking the minister for the thoughtful comments about this bill and letting the House know kind of what we expect with this piece of legislation. And largely what we understand is that this piece of legislation is looking at clarifying just some relationships with our federal tax agency, the CRA, Mr. Speaker.

You know, it’s important that we are continuing to have that relationship and the important work that the CRA does for our province. And this is a prime example of ensuring that Saskatchewan residents will be able to see the fulfillment of the government’s promise in their budget and their Throne Speech last year, Mr. Speaker. And so very welcome to see the housekeeping work done to ensure that these families have access to this tax credit.

You know, Mr. Speaker, at the time when this was brought forward we had some very real concerns with a tax credit form for fertility treatment. You know, when folks have made that decision to start a family and they start to see that that process is going to be a longer process or a more difficult road, I think, Mr. Speaker, what we had been kind of clear on was that those families, at that moment of need, need to see those funds available.

Access to in vitro fertilization, aligning with a number of other provinces in Canada that are not using a tax credit model but offering in vitro fertilization as part of the health care process. And of course every province does it a little differently and every province has a different number of opportunities that families can access.

But you know, what we’re really seeing, Mr. Speaker, in a time of a cost-of-living crisis is that we don’t think that asking families who want to lay down roots here in Saskatchewan, who want to have children, you know . . . We want to make sure that that situation, that decision is as easy as possible.

And so we really brought up a lot of concerns around making families save up that large amount of money to put on the table for those treatments and then get that tax credit back after the process. Or in other cases, you know, having to go to their bank for a line of credit, for a loan. All those kind of processes that a family might have to go through to access this kind of money, Mr. Speaker.

My colleague from Regina South Albert has been on her feet so many times in this Assembly with the petitions calling on the government to implement something like this because we know just how expensive this kind of procedure and process can be for families — you know, tens of thousands of dollars to access these in vitro fertilization processes, Mr. Speaker.

And so we really think that adding that extra layer of anxiety or extra layer of pressure during a cost-of-living crisis, we really think that this should be an aspect of our health care system that folks know what they’re going to expect when they go, they get those procedures, they know they can have so many, but that it’s paid up front, Mr. Speaker.

So again, I’ve laid some comments on the record of where our official opposition has been in this space, and we welcome this housekeeping bill, Mr. Speaker. And so I’m sure that we’ll have more comments from my colleagues on the floor here on this bill. So at this time, Mr. Speaker, I’m happy to move adjourned debate on Bill No. 25, The Income Tax (Miscellaneous) Amendment Act, 2025.

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. 26 — The Miscellaneous Statutes Repeal Act, 2025

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Justice.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to move second reading of Bill 26, The Miscellaneous Statutes Repeal Act, 2025. As part of the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General’s red tape reduction commitment, this bill will repeal many outdated Acts that no longer serve a purpose.

Two obsolete public Acts will be repealed along with over 100 private Acts related to organizations that are no longer active in any capacity. In addition, over 80 older private Acts related to municipalities have been identified as no longer necessary.

Mr. Speaker, to offer just a few examples of outdated Acts that no longer serve a purpose, this bill will repeal an Act respecting the city of Regina’s street railway system from 1910, and An Act to confirm a Certain Bylaw of the City of Saskatoon regarding the Street Railway from 1912 will also be repealed. Mr. Speaker, these bills were passed to allow Saskatoon and Regina to operate street cars. Saskatoon’s street car system ran until the 1940s and Regina’s operated until 1950. Saskatoon and Regina have both indicated they have no intention of operating street car systems any time soon, leaving these Acts without any meaningful purpose.

Research and consultations were carried out to ensure that the repeals in the Act will have no substantive impact on stakeholders or government, Mr. Speaker. Relevant municipalities were notified of the proposed repeals.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to move second reading of Bill 26, The Miscellaneous Statutes Repeal Act, 2025.

Speaker Goudy: — Is the Assembly ready for the question? I recognize the member from Saskatoon Eastview.

Matt Love: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to be on my feet today and enter into adjourned debate on Bill 26, The Miscellaneous Statutes Repeal Act, 2025. And you know, I listened to the minister’s remarks on this subject, and I appreciate the examples that he brought forward.

When I have a look at this legislation, you know, I understand that the way that we created legislation in this province has changed over the years, certainly over the last hundred years. We have different ways to approve the incorporation of organizations in this province that we had in decades past, you know, and I think that we see that in terms of the legislation that’s being repealed in this legislation.

In the five years that I’ve been here, every now and then we see one of these older pieces of legislation come up, maybe in a private member’s amendment Act, in things like that. They kind of pop up time to time, and we get to have a bit of a look into the past.

But I think that this legislation . . . You know, we see a lot of work that went on by officials in the background, so I want to thank the office of public registry administration. I understand that they spent roughly three years researching all of these private Acts to find the ones that are really no longer needed, and they’re repealing all of these old private Acts that are no longer relevant.

And you know, the minister gave a couple really good examples. I’ll add to that, and I’d encourage all members to have a look at this. There’s a lot of history in here, a lot of history in these Acts that are being repealed, like the Act concerning the city of Weyburn and the Grand Trunk Pacific Saskatchewan Railway is being repealed. Another one being repealed: an Act to change the name of The Saskatoon Country Club. That was a whole Act to change the name of The Saskatoon Country Club. I didn’t know that.

So there’s lots of history here. It’s a new process. A lot of officials that worked for a number of years to search through our records and find all of those Acts that are no longer relevant, so I want to thank them for all of their work.

And at this time, Mr. Speaker, I’ll move that we adjourn debate on Bill 26. 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. 27 — The Statute Law Amendment Act, 2025/Loi de 2025 modifiant le droit législatif

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Justice.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I rise to move second reading of The Statute Law Amendment Act, 2025. This bill will make necessary housekeeping changes to multiple bilingual bills. The proposed changes form part of the government’s ongoing commitment to review and update legislation.

References to repealed legislation will be updated in The Constitutional Questions Act, 2012 and The Small Claims Act, 2016.

Terminology will be updated and spelling errors corrected in the following: The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act, 1997; The Enforcement of Maintenance Orders Act, 1997; The Family Maintenance Act, 1997; The International Child Abduction Act, 1996; The King’s Bench Act; and The Vital Statistics Act, 2009.

Section cross-references will be corrected in The Legislation Act and The Non-profit Corporations Act, 2022. These changes will not have a substantive impact on any of the Acts being amended.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to move second reading of The Statute Law Amendment Act, 2025.

Speaker Goudy: — Is the Assembly ready for the question? I recognize the member from Saskatoon Eastview.

Matt Love: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour again to be on my feet and respond to Bill No. 27, The Statute Law Amendment Act. And again I want to thank the minister for his comments. We also see that this bill is predominantly a housekeeping bill, updating terminology, fixing some spelling mistakes, fixing cross-references, and really just removing some typos, allowing us to move things forward with more accuracy.

So I’ll keep my comments very brief. It’s nice to see this attention to detail and minor things corrected. I want to thank the officials in the Ministry of Justice for the hard work that they do in keeping our laws coherent and up to date.

Not a lot else to really comment on with this legislation, Mr. Speaker, so I’ll move that we adjourn debate on Bill No. 27, The Statute Law 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. 28 — The Public Libraries Amendment Act, 2025

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise today to discuss second reading of The Public Libraries Amendment Act, 2025, Bill No. 28. Mr. Speaker, The Public Libraries Act, 1996 requires amendments to apply the legislation consistently to the entire city of Lloydminster at the request of the city executive.

Mr. Speaker, these amendments will ensure consistent library services, governance, and operations across the entire city of Lloydminster. This will provide residents on both sides of the border with equal access to quality library resources. There was broad consultation on these changes, Mr. Speaker, and support as well from other parts of the province to make these changes.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, housekeeping changes are being made to modernize language in the legislation of the Act as well. Consequential amendments to The Public Libraries Regulations, 1996, will be drafted and are intended to come into force alongside the Act amendments.

Mr. Speaker, with that I now move second reading of The Public Libraries Amendment Act, 2025.

Speaker Goudy: — Is the Assembly ready for the question? I recognize the member from Regina Mount Royal.

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thanks, Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the minister for introducing the bill here today and providing a bit of background as to its aims. And you know, what we see in this bill is fairly practical, Mr. Speaker, when you look at what it’s doing in shifting from a regional library system to a municipal one with respect to Lloydminster. So we certainly understand what they’re aiming to accomplish there.

Our critic will be engaged with any of the stakeholders on this front, and we’d invite any stakeholders that have knowledge and relationship on the ground with this piece of legislation, or this library system, to touch in. Obviously we just want to make sure that everything is being done in the best interests of that system and that region.

You know, it’s good to also see, I guess, some updates there — modernization of language from Aboriginal to Indigenous within the Act — and, Mr. Speaker, these seem to be quite reasonable amendments. Again of course our critic will be working with those on the ground directly involved in this library, in this system, in this area.

I’ve been around long enough to remember when this government, Mr. Speaker, took a real attack on the libraries of this province — 2017. Just a devastating cut, Mr. Speaker, and I think it was the other side really didn’t appreciate the importance of libraries to Saskatchewan. It would’ve devastated that library system.

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And as a result, you know, we saw the biggest rally in Saskatchewan’s history, Mr. Speaker, as people got out across communities from Swift Current, where the minister now represents, to communities right across this province. And they spoke up, they stood up, and they pushed that government back of course, Mr. Speaker. And as the official opposition we rose up with them and fought for our libraries at that very important time.

Thankfully we don’t see in this legislation that sort of disrespect for the value of libraries in this province or that sort of attack, but you have to remember, Mr. Speaker, that that was the desire of that government.

With that being said, with respect to Bill No. 28, The Public Libraries Amendment Act, 2025 I move to adjourn debate.

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. 29 — The Tailgating Act/Loi sur les rassemblements d’avant-match

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

Hon. Alana Ross: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to move second reading of Bill 29, The Tailgating Act. This legislation will enable a creation of a new regulatory framework that will allow tailgating events at Mosaic Stadium for Roughrider home games. Permitting tailgating will build on the sense of community that Rider fans are known for across our nation. We are excited to work with the Roughriders organization, the city of Regina, and REAL [Regina Exhibition Association Ltd.] District to make this a reality for the 2026 season.

Our shared goal, together with Riders fans, is to set a standard for how tailgating can be done safely and responsibly in Saskatchewan. Amendments to The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act, 1997 will enable the creation of new regulations to allow tailgating. The regulations will include extensive requirements to ensure tailgating is done safely and responsibly, including the requirement for a permit and close collaboration with the SLGA [Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority] on event planning and oversight.

The regulations will be introduced after The Tailgating Act receives Royal Assent in the spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly. Eligibility will be initially limited to tailgating events at Mosaic Stadium for Roughrider games. Further out, eligibility will potentially be considered after the conclusion of the 2026 season.

For those unfamiliar with tailgating, it involves fans setting up in a permitted area, preparing food, and enjoying drinks responsibly before the game. This builds on the sense of community among fans, generates excitement, and further enhances the game day experience. This initiative came from the Roughriders organization, and follows other jurisdictions across Canada where tailgating is already done.

Public safety is a high priority for our government, and the new permit type will ensure this is reflected in how tailgating at Mosaic Stadium is managed. For Mosaic Stadium the permitted area will be an adjacent parking lot. This would be supervised by staff, vehicles’ access would be controlled, and clear expectations for conduct would be enforced. Other details will be finalized in the regulations, as well as specific event plans that will be developed together with SLGA as part of the process.

The Tailgating Act also makes a number of unrelated changes that are administrative in nature, specifically removing certain provisions that could potentially get in the way of reducing alcohol-related interprovincial trade barriers, clarifying provisions for consistency with changes our government made in 2013 that will allow restaurant customers to bring their own wine, and clarifying that the responsibility permit holders have to prevent minors from drinking also applies when customers bring their own wine, and clarifying the special occasion permit holders are required to not allow intoxicated individuals to be present at the permitted event.

Mr. Speaker, I now move second reading of Bill 29, The Tailgating Act. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — Is the Assembly ready for the question? I recognize the member from Regina Mount Royal.

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure to enter into brief remarks with the new bill that’s been introduced here, The Tailgating Act, Bill No. 29. I want to thank all those that have been involved in this Act. It was a pleasure last week to have president and CEO Craig Reynolds of the Saskatchewan Roughriders here in attendance as this bill was introduced.

And what an exciting time, Mr. Speaker, for our team. Here we head into the weekend with a home playoff game, the Western Final, Mr. Speaker, here at Mosaic Stadium, taking on the Lions, Mr. Speaker. It’s going to be an awesome, awesome week here in Rider nation. And we’re just going to keep building as we work towards bringing that cup back to where it belongs — here in Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker.

So I want to encourage everyone . . . I know there’s still a few tickets left in that stadium, Mr. Speaker. There’s some different packages for tickets for fans, but I want to encourage folks to consider coming out to that game this weekend. It’s going to be a big one. And Rider nation, Mr. Speaker, we know gathers like no other. We have the proudest team in the country, Mr. Speaker, and the greatest team in the country.

And this legislation, I would hope, would aim to support that game day experience and that environment and that coming together like nowhere else, Mr. Speaker. And we know here in Saskatchewan, of course, they play their games at Mosaic in Regina, Mr. Speaker. But this is Saskatchewan’s team; some might say Canada’s team. But we know folks make their way down for games from every corner of the province, whether that be Estevan or Yorkton or the far North or Saskatoon, and any point in between, Mr. Speaker.

So we hope that this tailgating legislation will support that game day experience to build upon this incredible franchise and this incredible team, Mr. Speaker. We’ll of course work with the Roughriders on this front and with the city of Regina to make sure that this legislation is all that it should be to hit the mark, Mr. Speaker. We certainly are supportive of the tailgating, Mr. Speaker, and of this opportunity being extended to fans, Mr. Speaker. And it identifies what we talked about, all those folks that are coming from so far from across our province to Mosaic, Mr. Speaker.

One thing that didn’t help that game day experience or filling that stadium, Mr. Speaker, was the PST that that Sask Party government stuck on tickets, Mr. Speaker, at a time that people could least afford it, Mr. Speaker. And they stuck it on the restaurant meals, Mr. Speaker.

And I think so often, you know . . . You think of that family from Melville or Yorkton or Estevan that’s making that decision with their hard-earned dollars — or Weyburn, Mr. Speaker — to come into town. And that’s a tremendous experience for their family and they work hard towards it, but it’s expensive when you look at all the additional costs that are piled on there — the PST on restaurants, the PST on tickets, Mr. Speaker.

We of course saw this government for far too long do nothing when it comes to the gas tax — 15 cents a litre still, Mr. Speaker. So we’ve called on this government time and time again to make affordability happen, to drive down the cost of living that’s creating such a hardship for families all across this province. And we see that as well for Rider nation, Mr. Speaker.

But you know, with respect to the tailgating legislation, we support tailgating. We’ll certainly work with the Riders and the city to make sure that this legislation is all that it can be to make sure that we build on that incredible experience, Mr. Speaker. And we want to recognize as well that this is going to be brought in at a time where we’re going to be hosting the Grey Cup in just a couple years as well.

So what an awesome opportunity for our team, Mr. Speaker, for Saskatchewan’s team, for Canada’s team to do this. And as we head into that Western Final, go Riders. And as I look to the future, I just picture it, that tailgating session.

I was chatting before, you know, out there — camaraderie, people coming together, probably some awesome Saskatchewan meats that are going to be cooked up there, Mr. Speaker. I’m picturing, you know, good old Drake Meats, Mr. Speaker, some homemade sausages. And I might bring some of that as well.

I picture, you know, probably some of Saskatchewan’s finest, a little Great Western, Mr. Speaker. Or those incredible local breweries from across this province, whether from Moosomin, Mr. Speaker, or Swift Current or Regina probably being sampled there as well, Mr. Speaker.

I picture the member for Wascana probably cooking up some onions, Mr. Speaker. I can smell it already, and I can’t wait, Mr. Speaker. Go Riders! Let’s bring the cup back home, Mr. Speaker.

And with that being said, I’ll move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 29.

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. I recognize the Government House Leader.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I move that the Assembly do now adjourn.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved that the Assembly adjourns. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

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

[The Assembly adjourned at 15:26.]

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

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