Hon. Jim Reiter: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you to this Assembly, I am delighted to introduce in the west gallery, Mr. Speaker, 19 grade 12 students from the great community of Delisle, from Delisle Composite School. Mr. Speaker, they are accompanied by their teacher Natasha Matkowski and also parent chaperones Sandra Traynor and Monte Sawyer.

Mr. Speaker, I am very much looking forward to having a chat with them after question period. And I hope they enjoy question period, and I’m sure we’ll all do a good job in decorum with the students present. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of SaskBuilds.

Hon. Sean Wilson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, up in the west gallery are two of my friends from the constituency of Canora-Pelly: Ken Severson and Rick Nahnybida. They are with the RM [rural municipality] of Livingston, and they are also in town for the SARM [Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities] convention. So I would ask all members to welcome them to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to introduce a number of members of SEIU-West [Service Employees International Union-West] that are seated in your gallery. There’s a number of security officials from SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority]. We had a very productive meeting with them before question period today.

And I wanted to welcome them to their legislature and, on behalf of the official opposition, thank them for everything they do to keep the patients and health care workers in Saskatchewan safe each and every day.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Remote and Rural Health.

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome these security workers to the Legislative Assembly today, Mr. Speaker. And thank you so much for the work that you do on a day-to-day basis. It’s truly appreciated in helping keep our health care community safe. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Community Safety.

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I would like to introduce three guests seated up in the west gallery. First I’ll start with Paul Hills, who is no stranger to this building, Mr. Speaker. He’s a past president and senior advisor with the Saskatoon Paramedic Association, and now he’s an ambassador with Wounded Warriors Canada. And, Mr. Speaker, today he’s also moonlighting as an Uber driver, as he’s brought the other guests straight here from the airport, Mr. Speaker.

So with Mr. Hills we have Steve Boychyn. He’s the director of training with Wounded Warriors Canada. And then we have Mike Wionzek, chief operating officer with Warrior Health. And, Mr. Speaker, Warrior Health is a mental health and wellness platform designed specifically for first responders and public safety personnel. But I also downloaded it today, Mr. Speaker, just to check it out.

Wounded Warriors, they are doing great work. They’re focusing on building resilience, providing training, and ensuring important people who serve our communities have access to mental health suppliers that they need. And, Mr. Speaker, through education, peer support, and clinical resources, their team is helping reduce stigma and strengthen mental wellness for first responders and their family.

We can learn more about this today, Mr. Speaker, as they will be welcoming us to their reception at 4 o’clock this afternoon. I would invite all of our members to attend.

And with that, I would ask everyone to welcome the three individuals to the Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member of Regina . . . Oh. I am sorry. Can I just stop for a second? No, I’m having a hard time. I don’t think I ate this morning correctly. And I may need to have somebody . . . No, seriously I’m having a . . . Can somebody come and take over for a minute? Yeah, weird. I can’t . . . No, I have the . . . Sorry, could somebody come and . . . I just probably should eat a little sugar or something because . . . That’s weird. I’ve never had . . . I haven’t had it, have this happen before.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — I recognize the member from Regina Douglas Park.

Nicole Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It’s my honour to join with the minister opposite in welcoming, of course no stranger to this gallery, Paul Hills; as well as his colleagues Steve and Mike from Warrior Health.

Unfortunately we didn’t have the opportunity to meet this morning. Steve and Mike, I understand you had some troubles with your flight, as had been mentioned — not an uncommon situation for people in Canada these days. But we are all looking forward to having further conversations at the reception, as has been mentioned, later this afternoon.

So I’d ask all members to join me in welcoming these three individuals to this legislative gallery.

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — I recognize the member from Regina South Albert.

Aleana Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It’s a real privilege to be back on my feet presenting a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan, calling for funding for fertility care here in Saskatchewan. Members who sat in this Assembly last term will be aware that I rose and presented a petition on this issue, I believe, 60 times in the Assembly. And I’m pleased to be presenting a petition again.

Infertility is a health condition. It affects one in six people in Canada, Mr. Speaker. It knows no barriers. It affects people regardless of race, of faith, of gender, of socio-economic status. And we fundamentally believe, Mr. Speaker — and I hope this is a shared belief — that people in Saskatchewan should be able to have the family they want, not the family that they afford.

While we’ve seen progress on this, Mr. Speaker, in the last election campaign, for which I’m grateful, there’s still no upfront support for people who require fertility care in Saskatchewan. Investing in families here in Saskatchewan makes moral sense and it makes economic sense. And I look forward to continuing to bring this petition to this Assembly and moving real change.

I’ll read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request that the Government of Saskatchewan immediately move to cover the financial burden of fertility care, up to and including two rounds of in vitro fertilization treatments, for those Saskatchewan people struggling with infertility.

Mr. Speaker, the signatories of this petition today reside in Southey and Regina. I do so present.

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

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I rise to present a petition to adequately fund post-secondary institutions. The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: that since 2018 tuition has increased by 35.9 per cent in Saskatchewan; and that Saskatchewan has the second-highest tuition in Canada; the post-secondary schools are already under financial pressure with the rising cost of living, rising cost of rent and food, with many working multiple jobs and relying on student loans; that in order for Saskatchewan to lead in innovation and economic success, Saskatchewan must prioritize the success of post-secondary students, and that includes properly funding post-secondary institutions.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I will read the prayer:

Respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately provide adequate funding to post-secondary institutions to ensure costs are not passed on to student tuition.

The petition has been signed by residents of Saskatoon. I do so present.

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

Sally Housser: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise today to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to increase the number of highway pullouts in Saskatchewan. This is an issue we’ve talked to about with the Sask Trucking Association and many concerned residents.

The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following. Highway pullouts are crucial for driver safety, allowing for drivers to safely stop for inspections, switching loads, or addressing emergencies without obstructing traffic flow. Under the National Safety Code standard 10, drivers must inspect their loads every 240 kilometres or three hours to prevent cargo from shifting or spilling. Without safe pullouts these required checks put both truck drivers and other road users at risk. Previous commitments made by the Government of Saskatchewan to build more pullouts have not yet been fulfilled.

I’ll 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 immediately increase the number of pullouts in the province so that operators can meet requirements safely.

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

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

Keith Jorgenson: — I’m glad to see you back, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to rise to read a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to immediately address crime in our communities, Mr. Speaker.

We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan, wish to bring to your attention the following: that Saskatchewan consistently has the highest crime rate among all Canadian provinces, and that the province also has the highest rates of intimate partner violence and intimate partner homicide in Canada; that Saskatchewan lacks a comprehensive domestic violence strategy, despite repeated calls for one; and that all Saskatchewan residents deserve safe communities and access to proven supports like mental health, health care, addictions treatment, housing, and safe community programs.

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request the Saskatchewan Assembly to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately develop and implement a province-wide crime-reduction strategy that addresses the root causes of crime, prioritizes prevention, safety, and support for all communities.

The undersigned individuals that signed this petition are from Saskatoon. I do so present.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

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

Celebrating Black History Month and African Heritage Month

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today in honour of Black History Month 2026. Throughout the month of February, I, along with other Canadians, joined Black communities throughout Saskatchewan at events and celebrations recognizing the experiences, achievements, and endless contributions of all Black communities.

As the shadow minister of Immigration, I have been given an opportunity to truly deepen my own understanding of the culture and extensive history of our Black community on the doorstep and in the legislature.

Whether new to Canada or whether they are first and second or third generation, their stories are extensive and their contributions are real. In Saskatchewan members of African communities recently initiated their own name change to the annual event, believing African Heritage Month better described the purpose and the spirit of reflecting on Black history and its significant impact to the enrichment of all society.

I invite all my colleagues on both sides of this floor to join me in recognizing the many people and organizations. The whole Black History Month event and celebrations in 2026 help us to reflect on the rich culture of the Black people in Saskatchewan, in Canada. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Yorkton.

Yorkton Band Nominated for Juno Award

David Chan: — Mr. Speaker, today I’m thrilled to recognize a local artist known and loved by many in my constituency, Yorkton. Yorkton-based collect.assembly recently released a powerful debut album called Outlaw Gospel, which has earned a well-deserved Juno nomination for the Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year.

To celebrate this incredible achievement and to help cover the costs of attending the event, the band’s front man, manager Joel Ivey and his talented bandmates are hosting Road to the Junos at Tapps Sports Lounge & Grill on March 14th. That’s this Saturday. collect.assembly will perform two shows at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Tickets are available now at collectassembly.com and include a steak dinner. But don’t delay. One show is already sold out and the other is going fast.

[13:45]

This is a very popular, well-received band in my constituency. Whether they’re leading chapel music at Good Spirit Bible Camp, taking part in the community worship service on Good Friday, or running their own business, these powerhouse artists are more than musicians. They are valuable, contributing members of our community.

And I’ll take a minute to say that I know, I’ve talked many times with Joel Ivey, the owner also of Dynasty Diesel. And he’s a pioneer in this space, and I appreciate the work that he’s doing. I appreciate where he’s going with his band and his music. I appreciate him for it.

Please join me in congratulating Saskatchewan’s own collect.assembly as they prepare to represent Yorkton on the national music stage.

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

Protective Services Personnel Decorated for Bravery

Meara Conway: — Thank you. I rise today to recognize and honour the dedicated protective services personnel of the Saskatchewan Health Authority who have joined us here today. Their commitment helps keep patients, staff, and visitors safe every single day in hospitals and health facilities across the province. Many of these officers go far beyond the call of duty.

In 2013 security officers Tyler Campbell and Christopher Clark repeatedly entered a smoke-filled hospital room in Saskatoon to rescue a patient from a fire. Despite thick smoke forcing them to retreat several times, they returned again and again until they found the patient and brought her to safety. For this extraordinary act they were awarded the Medal of Bravery by the Governor General of Canada.

Other officers have shown similar courage. Kyle Stratton risked his life by entering the freezing waters of the South Saskatchewan to rescue a patient in distress. Gemma Ramirez and Tiberius Dobni rushed into a burning room to save a patient who had set themselves on fire, placing the patient’s safety above their own. More recently Candice Nolan, Bryan Melnychuk, and Amra Martin were honoured for bravely disarming a man with a grenade outside a Saskatoon hospital.

These stories represent only a fraction of the bravery shown daily. Many officers dedicate decades of service — including Christopher Clark with 36 years and Shane Hitchings with over 30 years — protecting Saskatchewan people.

Mr. Speaker, as this government fails in health care and on managing social issues, the picture in hospitals gets more dire, more complex. We need these folks who keep those places safe to have well-paid jobs — well-trained, well-supported, good unionized jobs, Mr. Speaker — so that they can continue that good work.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Carrot River Valley.

Nipawin Hardware Store Wins Outstanding Retailer Award

Terri Bromm: — Mr. Speaker, Richardson’s Home Hardware in Nipawin was awarded the Outstanding Retailer Award for Best Hardware or Paint Store at the 2025 Hardlines Conference and gala at Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. This award recognizes excellence in retail at a national level, taking into consideration stores that stand out for service, innovation, leadership, and community engagement. The Hardlines Outstanding Retailer Awards are Canada’s only national awards program dedicated to recognizing the achievements of hardware, home improvement, and building supply dealers and their staff.

Richardson’s is a family-owned retailer and has been in business since 1952. The current owners, Dustin and Theresa Chalus, are third- and fourth-generation owners of this store. Long-standing local businesses such as Richardson’s are vital to our rural communities and our province, not only for the products they provide but for the people they employ.

And as well we all can appreciate small businesses are well known for their support of their local communities themselves. This is another great small-business Saskatchewan success story in our province.

Mr. Speaker, I would ask all members to join us congratulating Dustin and Theresa Chalus on the award for the Outstanding Retailer Award, and wish them success as they continue to serve the residents of northeastern Saskatchewan.

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

King George Community Association Winter Carnival

Kim Breckner: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the King George Community Association on another successful winter carnival. Their event on March 8th exceeded the turnout from last year with over 250 people attending.

It was great to be back volunteering at the hot dog stand and to make sure everyone had the fuel to keep going so they could enjoy all the attractions. The carnival had classics like face painting, a horse-drawn carriage, a raffle, and balloon animals as well as some reworkings of old classics, like a giant interactive Tetris game. The Saskatoon Public Library gave free books away to children, and community organizations like the Library of Things and Foundations Learning & Skills Saskatchewan participated too.

It was exciting to see a strong turnout for the event and humbling to see the volunteers, organizers, sponsors, and leadership that contributed to the success of the event. The motto, “from many peoples, strength,” is certainly exemplified by the work of our community associations and the hard-working and kind people who keep them going. Congratulations again to the King George Community Association. I look forward to the next carnival.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cypress Hills.

Battle of the Little Big Puck in Maple Creek

Doug Steele: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The 43rd annual Battle of the Little Big Puck, a hockey game between the Nekaneet First Nation and the cowboys of Maple Creek and area, this epic event truly reflects the spirit of Maple Creek.

The Battle of the Little Big Puck began in the late 1980s, always opening with the players gathering at centre ice, and the traditional Indigenous songs and drums were played. What began as a friendly bantering between the local cowboys and Indigenous players over who had the better hockey team has grown into a proud celebration of both cultures. Every year proceeds support a local charity, with funds shared between the Southwest trust board for the hospital and the teams have chosen some community causes.

The game begins as a typical non-contact hockey game, but the third period is where it all changes. The cowboys throw on the chaps, cowboy hats — not the boots — and the First Nation Indigenous people buckskin, beads, headdress, and face painted. Very amazing if you haven’t been. The event remains important for both cultures. It highlights how partnerships, respect, and friendships have built a strong, united community. Together they have helped make Maple Creek what it is today. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cannington.

Saskatchewan Day at Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada

Daryl Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This year the 94th annual Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada hosted over 32,000 attendees and 1,300 exhibitors. The attendees were comprised of government regulators, industry leaders, mining industry professionals, investors, and Indigenous leaders that gathered from over 125 countries.

On March 3rd, in partnership with the Saskatchewan Mining Association and Trade and Export Development, we hosted Saskatchewan Day at PDAC [Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada] to showcase the world’s third-most attractive jurisdiction for mining investment attractiveness as reported by the Fraser Institute.

There were three key themes for presentations throughout the day: government policy and geoscience, showcasing Saskatchewan projects and operations, and Saskatchewan’s world-class innovation and supply chain. But don’t just take our word for it. John Caldbick, vice-president of projects for Foran, Eldorado Gold, has stated, “The Saskatchewan jurisdiction is one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world from a geopolitical, operating, financial, and a government relations standpoint.”

We did not become global leaders by accident. We have carefully crafted a regulatory environment that attracts investment in our province. We are thankful to everyone who attended PDAC and to all our industry partners who are working to help Saskatchewan continue to develop these essential minerals that the world needs. Thank you.

QUESTION PERIOD

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

Provision of Health Care

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Premier openly vouched for a move to two-tier American-style private health care in an interview with Rebel News over the holidays. And I hear the groans already. He said he’s looking to Danielle Smith in Alberta for a “new way of delivering health care.” The Premier’s words, not mine, Mr. Speaker. Well in Alberta it’s whip out your credit card and jump the line for care if you have the money. For everyone else, they are left to wait longer and longer.

Is the Premier moving to credit-card health care? Yes or no?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — The answer is no, Mr. Speaker. And I think the challenge with respect to paying for health care is a much larger challenge in places like the United States of America than it is in Canada and certainly is in the province of Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker. That’s maybe why it’s a concern of the members opposite, because they’ve hired an American consultant to advise them on their big, bold health care plan, Mr. Speaker.

We were just over at SARM, Mr. Speaker, in the bear pit. And the speech there talking about the health care and our patients-first plan, Mr. Speaker, a made-in-Saskatchewan plan consulted on with the people of this province as opposed to using an American consultant for their big, bold plan. It is going to be a plan that improves the outcomes in our health care system, Mr. Speaker, a plan that is going to ensure that we have the right care in the right place at the right time, Mr. Speaker.

And this is precisely what we see the NDP [New Democratic Party] constantly bringing forward — a solution in search of a problem, Mr. Speaker.

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

Meara Conway: — Well, Mr. Speaker, this is the Premier who after all just woke up on Monday and realized that there’s a crisis in health care after all. But for the record, credit-card medicine violates the Canada Health Act. And we don’t need an American to explain that, Mr. Speaker. This is Saskatchewan. Public health care was born here. And on this side of the House . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Order, please.

Meara Conway: — And on this side of the House, we’re going to do everything we can to protect health care, public health care, Mr. Speaker. That is why we are introducing legislation to strengthen and modernize this Act.

So will the Premier agree with our team and support an immediate ban on access fees and extra billing for desperately needed health care in Saskatchewan?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Again what we see here, Mr. Speaker, coming from the NDP and their American consultant is a solution in search of a problem. Mr. Speaker, this may be an issue in the United States of America; it’s not an issue in the Canadian health care system. And we don’t need an American consultant to come and consult with Saskatchewan people. We’re more than capable of doing that. Mr. Speaker, we’re more than . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Order, please.

Premier, go ahead.

Hon. Scott Moe: — We’re more than capable of doing that, Mr. Speaker — consulting with families, consulting with patients, health care workers across this province. Coming forward with a patients-first plan is going to improve outcomes in our health care system, going to ensure that we have the right care delivered in the right place at the right time, Mr. Speaker.

This morning we were very proud to hand out over 1,000 copies of that plan to SARM representatives. And helpfully, Mr. Speaker, we actually were able to hand out the NDP plan on health care as well, which is nothing.

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

Meara Conway: — Ah yes, Mr. Speaker. On Monday the government released their patients-first strategy for the fourth time, for the fourth time in over 20 years. While putting patients first is a buzzword that this government throws around every couple of years, the health care workers on the front line in this province put patients first every single day, Mr. Speaker.

And although the Premier said the word “consult” three times in his answer, Mr. Speaker, instead of consulting them, the minister told Evan Bray, and I quote, “I think sometimes there is a fixation on formal consultation.” And I think I know why that minister decided not to consult workers, Mr. Speaker. Because if he had, they would have asked why they don’t have a contract in years and they haven’t seen a pay raise in nearly four years.

So rather than claiming to consult via osmosis, Mr. Speaker, why did the minister skip out on formally consulting health care workers on his plan? Is it because he knows this is the same plan that they released in 2009, 2012, and 2015?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Again I would say for the umpteenth time on the floor of this Assembly, Mr. Speaker, that this is a plan that was consulted widely across the province with patients, with families, with health care workers.

What we didn’t need . . . And if the NDP needs it to be an official consultant from the United States of America that comes in and does our work for us, we don’t feel we need that, Mr. Speaker. We can talk to Saskatchewan families directly, just like we did at the SARM convention a few moments ago, Mr. Speaker, where we handed out our plan and the NDP plan, the plan provided by their American consultant, which is nothing.

Again what we see is a solution in search of a problem by the members opposite. That’s why no one takes them seriously in this province, Mr. Speaker.

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

Meara Conway: — So, Mr. Speaker, to clarify, did they consult people in 2009? Or was it 2012? Or was it 2015? Because that Health minister seems to think and acknowledge they didn’t do any formal consultation this time, Mr. Speaker. That same Minister of Health, who admitted he was standing still the last two years, also decided to blame patients in his so-called patients-first plan, saying, “We all need to take better care of ourselves.” And the Minister for Rural and Remote Health defended this plan by saying the government is “flexible” and “willing to pivot.”

The people of this province know that something isn’t working in this health care system, Mr. Speaker, and it’s the members opposite. So if the minister really stands behind this plan, will he stop blaming patients? Will he take some advice from his colleague? And will he pivot to actually supporting the front-line health care workers in this province that he’s ignored with this plan?

[14:00]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, we will continue to take advice from families and patients and health care workers across this province, unlike the members opposite, who are taking their advice from their American consultant, Mr. Speaker, and still coming forward with nothing . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — I tell you, it’d be nice to be able to let the Premier finish.

Premier, please.

Hon. Scott Moe: — And still coming forward, Mr. Speaker, with their plan which consists of nothing, and which we helpfully handed out to SARM delegates. Mr. Speaker, they haven’t put forward a single idea that would improve the quality or access to care for Saskatchewan people.

And I would ask this then. I would ask this, Mr. Speaker: a number of years ago, we had put forward an initiative where we would be publicly funding private surgeries that would be offered here in the province, Mr. Speaker. And I would ask, given . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Order. Would the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre . . . You’re asking the questions; you’ve got to let him have the answers.

Premier, please.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Given that there were 17,000 of these publicly funded private surgeries performed in this last year across the province — about 17 per cent of the surgeries; record number of 100,000 surgeries — I would offer this: an opportunity for the NDP to add the first piece to their health care platform and support the government, Mr. Speaker, not only in doing those publicly funded private surgeries in the province but looking for opportunities to expand it.

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

Safety at Health Care Facilities

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You know, the Minister of Health doesn’t have a plan to fix our hospitals, but he does have a plan to make them less safe, Mr. Speaker.

Today we’re joined by some unionized SHA security officers. They’re well trained, they’re disciplined, highly motivated, and they go the extra mile to keep people safe. And the minister wants them gone. That’s right. He’s put out an RFP [request for proposal] looking into privatized security services at hospitals and health care centres . . .

Speaker Goudy: — Okay, I just want to clarify here. You can say it seems like he wants them gone. But to say that he wants them gone, that’s unfair. Please apologize and withdraw.

Keith Jorgenson: — I apologize and withdraw.

He’s put out an RFP that seeks to privatize security services at hospitals and health care centres in eight different regions. These private security officers can expect lower wages, fewer benefits, and have a high turnover. Mr. Speaker, this just isn’t a bad idea; it’s a dangerous one.

Why is the minister making hospitals more dangerous for patients and health care workers in this province?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Remote and Rural Health.

Hon. Lori Carr: — Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. And again I would like to thank the professionals that are sitting in the gallery today who work so hard on those front lines. And I appreciate the work that they do every single day.

Mr. Speaker, within our plan that we have, we’re building on the successes that we already have by having these security guards, these professionals in our buildings. But what we’re also doing is we’re enhancing it by going to more communities, Mr. Speaker.

And as well as that, we’re going to conduct a province-wide safety-security review, Mr. Speaker, to see if what we’re doing is working properly, what we can do to enhance that, as well as to help put tools in the tool box. We’ve put metal detectors at some of these facilities, Mr. Speaker, and we’re seeing some successes in that as well. Thank you.

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

Keith Jorgenson: — Mr. Speaker, successes? Successes? Guns, knives, machetes, saws — these are the weapons that are brought into our hospitals every day, Mr. Speaker.

It’s more dangerous than ever to visit a hospital in this province. Patients don’t feel safe. Health care workers don’t feel safe. And these fine individuals, on average one of them is assaulted every single day at one hospital in Saskatoon. And that minister decides that now is the time to cheap out on security. We need trained, committed officers, or more people are going to get hurt.

Why is the minister endangering the lives of patients and health care workers in this province?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Remote and Rural Health.

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I can assure you that any professionals being put in any of these facilities will be trained, and they will be professionals, Mr. Speaker.

But what we have heard as we have been consulting and talking to front-line workers and staff in these buildings is, they have been asking for this, Mr. Speaker. They have been wanting to have some enhanced security. So that is exactly the steps that we are taking. And depending on what comes out of the results from that review that we’re doing, Mr. Speaker, we’re going to see where we go from there. But we want all of our health care workers to feel safe and secure when they go to work every single day, Mr. Speaker.

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

Keith Jorgenson: — Mr. Speaker, we just talked to these folks a few minutes ago, and I can guarantee you this is not what they want.

Mr. Speaker, I can’t begin to imagine how the minister can treat veteran officers like this. The member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre talked about the selfless bravery of some of these individuals in her member’s statement. These are people who run into burning buildings, for crying out loud, and now the minister wants to put them out of a job. They deserve better, Mr. Speaker.

Will the Premier meet with these fine officers after question period?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Community Safety.

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m happy to find my feet and talk about all the ways that we’re ensuring that the residents of Saskatchewan can feel safe and secure.

We want our residents to feel safe in their homes, on the streets, and in their workplaces, Mr. Speaker. And we’re doing that by enhancing law enforcement presence across our province. We’re increasing the number of front-line officers around the province and in the cities. And we’re giving them the tools they need to do an effective job, Mr. Speaker. We’ve . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — I don’t know. Please. Just because you cover your mouth doesn’t mean I can’t hear what you’re saying.

Minister, would you please continue.

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve got lots of good stuff to talk about on this topic. We have introduced, amended, and passed The Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act, which allows police to remove those potential weapons from the public before an incident occurs, Mr. Speaker. This government is committed to ensuring everyone feels safe and secure.

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

Funding for Saskatchewan Polytechnic

Tajinder Grewal: — Mr. Speaker, joining us today in question period is Saskatchewan Polytechnic Faculty Association president Michelle Downton, sitting in your gallery. Despite constant advocacy, faculty and staff continue to receive lip service from this Sask Party government. Michelle and her team need support. Right now they are not being heard by this Premier and his minister. Post-secondary education is critical for our future. We want young people to stay here.

Will the minister meet with Michelle after question period and address all her concerns?

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

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the member for his question, and thank you to Michelle for attending her Legislative Assembly. Of course I’ll meet with Michelle. I’ve had correspondence with her and would be happy to do that.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to welcome Dr. Larry Rosia from Sask Poly here to talk about the great things that are happening at Sask Poly. It’s an institution that’s amongst the most well funded in Canada. It just recently won an award as the most research-intensive polytech in the country. So many very proud things to talk about. I’d be happy to talk about that on the floor of the legislature or with Michelle later.

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

Tajinder Grewal: — Mr. Speaker, more than 100 faculty fired. The entire health information management program shuttered. This Sask Party government is killing Saskatchewan Polytechnic, death by a thousand cuts. For years the Premier has refused to properly fund post-secondary, forcing many schools to rely on international students to balance their books. But now changes to the federal immigration rules have created a massive shortfall in funding.

Will the Premier properly fund Sask Poly today and put an end to these series of devastating layoffs?

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

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And just to put things in perspective, and the members on both sides of the House will know this fact: that the NDP didn’t even mention post-secondary education in their platform in the last election, Mr. Speaker. But we’ll leave that alone for now. You know, we’ll leave that alone for now.

What I do want to talk about is the $250 million that was given to the post-secondary institutions November 5th, 2025. We were able to do a record-setting, historical multi-year funding agreement. We are very proud of that. All of our institutions, Sask Poly included, will remain amongst the most well funded in the country.

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

Access to Mental Health Supports

Betty Nippi-Albright: — Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan people face long waits for mental health support than anywhere else in Canada. Nearly 47 weeks from referral to treatment. That’s nearly a year, Mr. Speaker. These are people looking for help. That delay can make a difference between life and death.

The minister said this week she’s proud of the work she’s doing on health care. Does the minister think it is good for people to wait 47 weeks for mental health support in this province?

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. Ensuring that Saskatchewan residents do have access to timely care is important to this government. And that is one of the reasons we have put in place the mental health and addictions action plan. Within that we are adding services to mental health, addictions throughout the province, Mr. Speaker. We have a goal of putting 500 additional spaces in place for people that have addictions issues, Mr. Speaker. Of that 500 spaces, we already have 313 that are up and operating, and of course that’s already on the 500 that are in place.

We also have mental health supports that we’re adding to throughout the province, like getting more psychiatrists in the province, adding virtual options, Mr. Speaker. Thank you very much.

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

Betty Nippi-Albright: — I guess people will ask, where is those 500 spaces for mental health? So, Mr. Speaker, our mental health waits are double the national average, and this Premier’s only solution is to move towards privatization. Is he really going to force people to pay even more than they already do for life-saving mental health supports? And how much longer will people be forced to wait as a result of this government’s privatization agenda?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Remote and Rural Health.

Hon. Lori Carr: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I would just note that according to CIHI [Canadian Institute for Health Information], Saskatchewan is well below the national average for wait times, Mr. Speaker. Right out of that CIHI report, I believe she’s also pulling the survey that she’s talking about, the length of wait times. The Fraser report that they’ve been quoting surveyed three psychiatrists in the entire province, Mr. Speaker.

I respect the work that those psychiatrists are doing, and I have no doubt that they have some wait-lists. But when we’re talking about mental health supports, it’s not just psychiatrists throughout this province, Mr. Speaker. We are using a wealth of supports, whether they be outreach teams, whether they be counsellors, whether they be psychiatrists, Mr. Speaker. There is a big breadth of services that are available, and we are trying to make them available as soon as possible.

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

Child Care Agreement with Federal Government

Jacqueline Roy: — Now, Mr. Speaker, earlier today our team stood with parents and caregivers in that Education minister’s riding to talk about how that government is breaking their promise on child care. The minister promised those parents that his new child care deal would include kids turning six. Well then came the fine print, and parents are seeing their fees skyrocket.

What does that minister say to his very own constituents who are speaking up about those broken promises?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I understand the critic for Education was in my constituency today and hopefully got a better photo than they did last time, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, this is a better child care agreement for people across this province, for families across Saskatchewan. And as I’ve said multiple times, we are now in March 2026. Existing agreements last until the end of this month, at which point there’s a new agreement, a better agreement, a newly negotiated agreement with the federal government starting April 1st that now will include, as of April 1st, children who are in kindergarten who turn the age of six. And they will have coverage until the end of the school year, Mr. Speaker. That is what this government advocated for. This is what we negotiated. And this will benefit many families for years to come, Mr. Speaker.

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

[14:15]

Jacqueline Roy: — Mr. Speaker, despite the government laughing, this is no laughing matter. Those minister’s constituents, those minister’s constituents trusted that minister’s word that their fees would remain affordable. In fact they budgeted accordingly. They budgeted darn responsibly. And now they are left paying the price. One parent, Cody, is seeing a fourfold increase in his fees. And remember, this minister promised that there would be no increase.

How does the minister explain to families like Cody’s in Swift Current that he’s breaking his promise to keep their fees low? And most importantly, will he darn well fix this by the budget next week?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Mr. Speaker, I’ll explain once again that the . . . And I hear from the families, and I hear from the child care providers who’ve expressed their concerns. We’ve been very clear that this is a new agreement of which the provisions in the new agreement take effect on April 1st. I know the members of the opposition are having a difficult time comprehending that, Mr. Speaker.

Here is the deal that they were advocating for. March 19th, the critic for child care over there said in the Chamber, “Why is it that renewing this agreement is good for families in 11 other provinces and not good enough for the families of Saskatchewan?” Had we signed that deal as the member for South Albert is advocating for again right now, no kids turning six in kindergarten would be benefiting from the new program at all, Mr. Speaker. That’s why no one takes them seriously, because they can’t keep their own story straight over there, Mr. Speaker.

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

Community Safety and Library Worker Concerns

Brittney Senger: — Mr. Speaker, last week the Minister of Rural and Remote Health agreed with this side of the House that the Minister of Social Services should work a shift at the Frances Morrison Library in Saskatoon. She even went on to say that the minister would be more than happy to work a shift at the library, where workers have expressed concerns about safety and the need for supports.

While it’s a nice gesture that the minister will be meeting with the library board, his colleague assured this House that he would be more than happy to work a shift alongside the workers. So can the minister please inform this House on what day he will show up for his shift?

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

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. And this is yet another example of why nobody takes this opposition seriously, Mr. Speaker. I had a conversation yesterday with the executive director of the Saskatoon Public Library . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Okay, here we’re just about done. I would just really think that today was a little more interrupting and talking than normal. So let’s finish off well. Seriously, I can’t even believe that people are talking when I . . . Please. The minister was asked a question. Time is up. You get to finish off, but let’s just finish well and let the minister answer the question please.

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again when it comes to violence in the workplace, Mr. Speaker, this is an issue that this government takes very seriously. Not only in the workplace but in the community, as my colleague in Community Safety outlined earlier this afternoon, Mr. Speaker.

You know, we have so many different resources available in the community, whether it be street outreach workers at sawêyihtotân. We also have AROs [alternative response officers] that are working in the community.

And yesterday I had a conversation with Saskatoon Public Library, Mr. Speaker. In the conversation and the email that I received back, Saskatoon Public Library is looking forward to an upcoming meeting with myself as well as with others on the board to discuss the challenges that they’re having, Mr. Speaker. Additionally, they’re going to highlight the strides that they’ve made over the past . . .

Speaker Goudy: — Thank you. All right.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill No. 614 — The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance (Banning Private Fees) Amendment Act

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

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Bill 614, The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance (Banning Private Fees) Amendment Act be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the member that Bill No. 614, The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance (Banning Private Fees) Amendment Act be now introduced and read a first time. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — First reading of this bill.

Speaker Goudy: — When shall this be read a second time?

Meara Conway: — At the next sitting of the Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Chair of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice.

Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice

Blaine McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, I am instructed by the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice to report Bill No. 30, The Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Amendment Act, 2025, a bilingual bill, without amendments.

Speaker Goudy: — When shall this bill be considered in Committee of the Whole on Bills? I recognize the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I request leave to waive consideration in Committee of the Whole on this bill and that the bill be now read a third time.

Speaker Goudy: — The minister has requested leave to waive consideration in the Committee of the Whole on Bill No. 30, The Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Amendment Act, 2025 and that the bill be now read the third time. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried. The minister may proceed to move third reading.

THIRD READINGS

Bill No. 30 — The Inter-jurisdictional Support Orders Amendment Act, 2025/Loi modificative de 2025 sur les ordonnances alimentaires interterritoriales

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, I move that the bill be now read a third time and passed under its title.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the minister that the bill be now read the third time and passed under its title. Is the Assembly ready for the question?

Some Hon. Members: — Question.

Speaker Goudy: — Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — Third reading of this bill.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Chair of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice.

Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice

Blaine McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, I am instructed by the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice to report Bill No. 42, The Saskatchewan Firearms Amendment Act, 2025, with amendment.

Speaker Goudy: — When shall this bill be considered in Committee of the Whole on Bills? I recognize the Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, I request leave to waive consideration in Committee of the Whole on this bill and that the bill and its amendments be now read a third time.

Speaker Goudy: — The minister has requested leave to waive consideration in the Committee of the Whole on Bill No. 42, The Saskatchewan Firearms Amendment Act, 2025 and that the bill be now read the third time. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — When shall the amendments be read the first time?

FIRST AND SECOND READINGS OF AMENDMENTS

Bill No. 42 — The Saskatchewan Firearms Amendment Act, 2025

Hon. Tim McLeod: — I move that the amendments be now read a first and second time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the minister that the amendments be now read a first and second time. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — The first and second reading of the amendments.

Speaker Goudy: — The minister may proceed to move third reading.

THIRD READINGS

Bill No. 42 — The Saskatchewan Firearms Amendment Act, 2025

Hon. Tim McLeod: — I move that the bill be now read a third time and passed under its title.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the minister that the bill be now read the third time and passed under its title. Is the Assembly ready for the question?

Some Hon. Members: — Question.

Speaker Goudy: — Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — Third reading of this bill.

Speaker Goudy: — Why is the member on her feet?

MOTIONS

Second Reading of Bill No. 612

Aleana Young: — Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding the government’s agenda and what’s published in the Orders of the Day today, I request leave to move the following motion:

That the Assembly immediately consider second reading of Bill No. 612, The Lower Power Bills and Car Insurance Act.

Speaker Goudy: — Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — No.

Some Hon. Members: — Yes.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

ADJOURNED DEBATES

SECOND READINGS

Bill No. 24

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Warren Kaeding that Bill No. 24 — The Saskatchewan Internal Trade Promotion Act be now read a second time.]

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

Don McBean: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to be on my feet to speak to the internal trade promotion Act, Bill No. 24. This one has been on the docket since November 3rd. According to the Hansard records there have been a good number of points made to that.

You know, no one would dispute the idea that we should reduce barriers to interprovincial trade. We on this side introduced our own bill — the member from Saskatoon Riversdale — that additionally brought in concerns for the maintenance of occupational health and safety standards. That didn’t seem to go very far.

But in essence the idea of better internal trade is hardly one to dispute. It’s timely and interesting to me that going around the trade show at SARM this morning and speaking with the STA [Saskatchewan Trucking Association] caught my attention, because the STA to me is the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association. But of course it was the Saskatchewan Trucking Association. And I had a very . . . [inaudible interjection] . . . Good people, too. Yeah, just like the Saskatoon teachers.

I had a very much more in-depth conversation with them about some of the advocacy they’re doing, some of the barriers and difficulties that they’re experiencing. And it was interesting. One of the points that I made note of was the training that’s being provided within Saskatchewan and how in some of the neighbouring provinces they have a much more streamlined and efficient way to make that happen at a . . . much more cost effective than what we’re doing. And it just kind of spoke to that, how we should.

As easy as the idea of interprovincial trade is, there’s always someone protecting their turf, you know. And I know that with my shadow minister assignment of SLGA [Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority], I’ve had a number of instances to represent local distilleries and brewers who are working at expanding their market. And of course when you get out of province, yeah, not the gloves come off so much as we all want to protect our turf.

So if there is the teeth within this Bill 24 to actually create a more level platform or mechanism for resolving some of the internal trade barriers, we’re all for it. We continue to reach out to the various stakeholders. And so in that regard I will move to adjourn debate on Bill 24.

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. 33

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Tim McLeod that Bill No. 33 — The Credit Union Amendment Act, 2025 be now read a second time.]

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

Sally Housser: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise today to enter debate and put some remarks on the record on Bill No. 33, The Credit Union Amendment Act. This bill deals with a number of different things around board membership and some specifics of terminology when it comes to who’s considered a professional advisor and how that leads to them being able to be appointed to a board or the eligibility of an individual to be on a credit union’s board of directors.

But one of the chief things that this bill really gets into the teeth of is clearing up the process for terminating membership in a credit union. Naturally it’s not something that you would hope that occurs frequently, but periodically that will come to pass.

So chiefly this deals with the mechanisms of a credit union and a board being able to terminate an individual’s membership in that credit union, including that written notice must include meeting info, grounds for termination. It sets out specifics on the time length it is required to inform the terminated individual or former member about the appeal process. It also clarifies some specifics on repayment of a terminated member’s funds, including if those funds haven’t yet hit maturity, that the credit union decides whether to pay out now or to wait. You know, anybody can withdraw themselves from a credit union just by giving verbal notice. This more deals with the credit union side and terminating an individual’s membership.

You know, naturally we here on this side of the House love our credit unions. We love that Saskatchewan people’s dollars are able to stay here in Saskatchewan. It very much makes for a stronger community. We’ll continue to consult with our stakeholders on this issue, you know, if this really will increase the level of efficiency or not.

[14:30]

But in the meantime, Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to adjourn debate. I thank you for listening to my remarks. I’m prepared to adjourn debate on Bill No. 33, The Credit Union Amendment Act. Thank you very much.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 36

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jeremy Cockrill that Bill No. 36 — The Change of Name Amendment Act, 2025/Loi modificative de 2025 sur le changement de nom be now read a second time.]

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

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to be on my feet to enter into debate on Bill No. 36, the change of name amendment. Mr. Speaker, a name is one of the most important things in our life.

I have a lot of experience with young people. One day I was driving with one of my students, taking him to the road test with examiner. The examiner took him for a road test, and he came back and he failed the road test. And I said, well you are a very good driver. How did you fail? And he was really angry. He said, the examiner called me with my father’s name. I said, what is your father’s name? His first name was Adam John, and his father’s name was John Adam. So he said, he was calling me with my father’s name.

And I said, well here in Saskatchewan, in our driver’s licence, your first name will be at the last, and the last name will be in bold in capitals, and it will be the first. There is a comma. So he didn’t call you with the wrong name, so it’s your mistake.

We’re living in such a diverse culture; small things can be a big problem. So name changing is something that we have to be making sure it should be accommodating all cultures. If we’re talking about Arabic culture, their names are very long. They call his father, grandfather, then grand-grandfather, then great-great-father. It goes like that. So I know that at that time when we were . . . back in 1989, when I was in computer studies and I was in university, we were having a memory problem. We were not having a big database that we can store those things. We were saving . . . How we can put the things small, in code, and those kind of thing.

But in this time, I think we are really having really good technology. We can enhance those things very easily. But yes, when we are doing such a decision, we have to contact and consult different diverse groups. Just making something that is making a problem, that will be not really good.

So I will say that yes, name change is not something really frequently, but they were at the time. People are born and then they get married and they changing their name. That is one of the major ones. And my experience when I was teaching some students from Chinese origin, they were calling me with, that “My name is Alex.” And I would say, your name is different over here on the driver licence. He said, well Alex, John, and these names are very easy for me, so I want to change it. And many of them changing as well.

So it’s a good one that we are informing police as well if there is any name change happening, so that the police have the transparency as well of that. But I’m really not understanding, not very clear how vital statistics of Canada works. But we do some changes over there. I think police should have access to that one, they can see it. And if somebody’s name is being changed, it should have to show some detail as well — when this name was changed and what was his previous name — so they can find it out if they want to . . . something with that.

Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting that one. It’s a really good one because with the passage of time, things have been changing. We have to refine. We have to enhance, advance all those things that we have in our old bill. So I will be thinking about that, that this is not really bad. I would say, great idea. But we make sure that we have to be keeping the rules as well: who have the consent to change and how they will have to change, and parents will be able to do that or not on behalf of their children, and what will be their age.

With that, I will say that our critic on this specific portfolio here will be putting his thought and insight by contacting the stakeholders. With that, I will be adjourning debate on Bill 36, The Change of Name Amendment Act, 2025. 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. 37

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jeremy Cockrill that Bill No. 37 — The Vital Statistics Amendment Act, 2025/Loi modificative de 2025 sur les services de l’état civil be now read a second time.]

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

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is indeed my honour to rise today and enter into debate on Bill No. 37, The Vital Statistics Amendment Act, Mr. Speaker.

I have canvassed this with a few members of my riding, and it definitely is in good favour with them as it applies to the particulars of their situation. And while I’m glad to see more protections for vulnerable people indeed, this doesn’t go far enough. We want to get to the place in this province where people are protected from becoming vulnerable in the first place.

That being said, I have nothing more to add on the subject, and I move to adjourn debate on Bill 37.

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. 38

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Everett Hindley that Bill No. 38 — The Building Schools Faster Act be now read a second time.]

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

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to join debate on Bill No. 38, The Building Schools Faster Act.

While I appreciate what the government is doing to build more schools, and as someone representing a very growing area of Saskatoon — in fact we’re seeing new residents moving there and a lot of development going on — I anticipate there will be . . . About a third of the constituency is still yet to be developed. It’s quite significant, and there are a lot of young families. So I do believe that we do need to build schools faster, and I think that this bill is a step in the right direction, but I truly don’t believe that it goes far enough.

Currently there are two elementary schools within my constituency, and they are both full of about 800 students. They are well over capacity. And so my concern with this bill is the pieces that are missing from it.

And some of the things that really stand out to me is that this Act does not apply to replacement of schools, renovations of schools, and, particularly in the case of Saskatoon Southeast, the expansion of schools. So this is something that I find to be quite concerning. I don’t think that this bill goes far enough.

There are a lot of schools across Saskatoon and across the province that are in need of renovations, that are in poor conditions, and we’ve heard lots about that over the past year. And I know my colleague, the shadow minister for Advanced Education, has been speaking quite extensively on that front.

After 18 years in power, this government has really given up on maintaining our schools. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done. I hear from teachers all the time about issues that they’re having with their facilities, whether it’s a leaking roof or just the need for more portables and that expansion of their school. So I have a lot of concerns. I don’t believe that this goes far enough, and I think that when it comes to The Building Schools Faster Act, we need to be mindful of fiscal management and make sure that we are investing in the right areas and ensuring that not only are we building schools, but we’re also renovating and improving existing schools.

And with that, I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 38.

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. 39

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Everett Hindley that Bill No. 39 — The Building Schools Faster Consequential Amendment Act, 2025/Loi de 2025 corrélative de la loi intitulée The Building Schools Faster Act be now read a second time.]

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

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would really like to echo a lot of what I had said when speaking to Bill No. 38 — that my constituency is growing, there is a need for more schools. I appreciate that the government is taking steps to make it easier to build schools, and I will allow my colleague, the shadow minister for Education, to do more consultation and have more conversations on this bill.

As I said previously, more action is needed, and I look forward to continuing conversation around this bill and consulting with stakeholders. And with that, I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 39.

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. 40

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Daryl Harrison that Bill No. 40 — The Animal Protection Amendment Act, 2025 be now read a second time.]

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

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my privilege to put some of our own recommendations here on the record in regards to The Animal Protection Amendment Act.

Of course Saskatchewan people do take their animals very seriously, and we all want to see them taken good care of. We do, in general, support addressing gaps and accountability and transparency and keeping in line with other jurisdictions. And I am sure that the critic will be doing some consultation on this.

So with that, I am pleased to adjourn debate on Bill No. 40.

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. 41

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Alana Ross that Bill No. 41 — The Heritage Recognition (From Many Peoples, Strength) Act/Loi sur la reconnaissance du patrimoine (Nos origines multiples, notre force) be now read a second time.]

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

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s again my honour to be on my feet on Bill 41, the heritage recognition. Mr. Speaker, it’s a really good one that we are a step ahead and stepping forward for our provincial motto, “from many peoples, strength.” Heritage is something that is not just only a building or some monumental thing, but that is a legacy of the whole generation.

Whenever I was driving by some schools, I will remember one school, Boggy Creek School no. 64. It’s right beside Regina bypass. If you can go to the left side, you will see that building over there. So when I was talking to someone I said, well this was a school, and how — it’s a small house — how it can be a school? And the person who was supervising me at that time in 2008 when I moved here, he told me that this was a school. In old times we used to have small schools and there was only one classroom. They call it one classroom, and kids from different classes, they were going, and they were managing that. And I said, well is anybody coming now in this school? And they said, no, there’s nobody coming. Somebody bought it. This is a heritage house, okay?

So we make sure we have to preserve all those things. And I’m feeling very sorry about the Connaught School in Regina that was a really old historical building, and they renew it. To be very honest, if I was a person in planning in the city, I would be keeping it as a history. It was really kind of a historical building. Exactly the same thing. Our next generation will be looking how our forefathers were, what they’ve done, what their legacy is. It is bringing us together.

We are living in a country that we are being blessed by having different colours. We love gardens. Why we love gardens? Because there’s different colours, different flowers. We love the fall. Why do we love fall? Because the trees, different colours. It makes things beautiful. So we make sure that we have to be taking those kind of serious. Communities feel very proud when they are being recognized and their heritage month or heritage day is proclaimed. We, as human beings, we get a chance . . . When we see it is Sikh Heritage Month, that it’s Black History Month, it gives us a chance to go to different events. And we can learn a lot. We can get connected with them, make ourself well connected with them, and we can learn a lot about that community.

So as we’re getting diverse, we have to know each other. It’s very important that we know tradition, culture, and that is only possible when we have some event. And normally people do events when they’re celebrating their heritage month.

[14:45]

So I will say that we moved last year one bill for Sikh Heritage Month. And I will say thank you to the government side as well. That was a very positive response, and our Sikh community is very, very happy and very proud of that. And I will say all those communities. I’m not talking about one community. We have to involve everybody into that.

So we make sure that we can keep all people together, integrated, and make sure that they can live in this country, that they feel that we are being recognized, we are a part, we are belonging from that. So our traditions be proud on that. With that, I will be moving to adjourn the debate on Bill 41, heritage month recognition, “from many peoples, strength” 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. 43

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Eric Schmalz that Bill No. 43 — The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act be now read a second time.]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cumberland.

Jordan McPhail: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s great to be on my feet to talk about maybe a little bit of what I did in a previous life before being elected to this Chamber, and that’s talk about municipalities. I know I’ve said it a few times in the House here, but I had the honour of serving as a municipal councillor for eight years in the town of La Ronge, my hometown.

And I’ll tell you, the bill before us here that I have on my desk here is about as thick as the book that I got when I first got elected into the council chambers in La Ronge, talking about the many rules and regulations that we had to follow as municipal government leaders.

And reading through the bill, I do see a few things here. On the dangerous animals piece, you know, a story that some of my colleagues would know, during my time campaigning in the last provincial election, I was attacked by a few dogs in one of the northern . . . in Pelican Narrows. And you know, ironically, earlier that day I had a good conversation with the mayor, Ovide Michel, and talked about the challenges that they had in addressing the issues of dangerous animals in their community. Because it wasn’t just the person trying to be the MLA [Member of the Legislative Assembly] in the area that was getting attacked by dogs; it was also young kids.

And so it’s good to see that there is some regulations in here to help address some of those issues that many northern families are facing, but families all across the province are being faced with.

You know, going a little further into the bill I also found a few things in here when it comes down to ethics. I can see that the councils must have a code of ethics in here. This is an important piece. I campaigned in the 2020 election, when I was running municipally, on a code of ethics mainly to respond to some of the challenges that we were having in the municipality at that time.

And it does clean up council operations for sure. And I think that it’s a good piece of the Act here to have that reflected in every single corner of Saskatchewan’s municipalities. I think it’s a good thing for municipalities to ensure that the folks that are representing all the great municipalities across the province are acting in an ethical manner, as all elected officials in any level of government should.

Further in the ethical points there as well, I do see that councils can now appoint an Indigenous advisor. This is something I worked on actually as the central representative for New North when I had the honour of serving on the New North board. In northern Saskatchewan when we talk about reconciliation, when we go to these events and have those words spoken from elected officials where we recognize the treaty that we stand on, part of that means that you also have to identify the gaps that might be there.

And part of the ways of doing that is working with your neighbouring reserves, your neighbouring Métis locals. And being able to appoint an Indigenous advisor gives the council the opportunity to truly hear all the voices — and especially the First Peoples of Saskatchewan — hear those voices at a municipal table regardless of whether the electorate put them there or not.

I think this is a great opportunity for municipalities to take advantage of that. It was something that I was very, very proud of when I was working at New North to bring these types of initiatives forward, and I’m glad to see it being reflected here in this bill. And I thank the work of Air Ronge council, their mayor, Julie Baschuk, and the many council members that I’ve had the honour of working with them within the region to bring this initiative forward and do it before even the regulations necessarily allowed it.

And they had great Indigenous advisors like Tom Roberts there, a residential school survivor that spoke about the ways of life before municipalities in northern Saskatchewan with the lakes, rivers, trees, and mosquitoes the size of helicopters would do in the area that we grew up in. So I’m really happy to see some of these things.

One thing that I remember very distinctly as a municipal elected official, however, that is not reflected in this bill: if the government was truly looking to find a way to help municipalities, they would stop downloading the responsibilities of a provincial government to a municipal government.

We saw this multiple times in the time that I served as a municipal councillor for eight years. We saw the government not fund homeless shelters in our areas. And what we would see is we had to take community revitalization plans, redistrict our downtown areas, try and find new ways to beautify the downtown core. Because we had consistently been faced with homeless encampments because the government just refused to fund that and to properly support people where and when they needed it.

We saw that even further with the cancellation of the grants-in-lieu project and then wanted municipalities to be the bad actor necessarily in that case when they would have to add a municipal tax to the SaskEnergy bills. What they didn’t recognize, and if they would’ve consulted with northern families, is that they don’t have SaskEnergy in all northern municipalities. They have propane; they have wood-burning; they have many different ways of heating their homes in northern Saskatchewan, and there was no way of recouping that cost.

And so if they would’ve listened to the people, if they would’ve taken these considerations into effect, municipalities might not have been in a situation where they can’t fund proper housing structures, where they can’t fund proper water and sewer infrastructure in their areas. But what we hear time and time again is the government will bring their ideas forward and consult after, and take the amendments and throw them in the trash before it gets to its final reading.

And so for me, I am very proud of the work that our team does to reach out to municipalities day in and day out. I am proud of the work that I did as a municipal elected official and the people that I got to represent on the New North board.

I know our critic will have plenty more to say on this, but for now I will move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 43, The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

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. 44

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Tim McLeod that Bill No. 44 — The Co‑operatives Act, 2025/Loi de 2025 sur les coopératives be now read a second time.]

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

Jacqueline Roy: — Merci, monsieur le Président. C’est un privilège de me lever pour dire quelques mots au sujet du projet de loi bilingue, les coopératives consequential amendments Act, 2025.

Je vais juste mettre sur le record qu’ici en Saskatchewan, nous avons eu une caisse populaire pour la Fransaskoisie. Les caisses populaires sont très importantes. On sait que ça fait parti de la culture de la Saskatchewan. Et je veux tout simplement laisser sur le record que ça existait aussi dans la communauté fransaskoise et qu’on voyait des liens par rapport à la promotion de notre culture parce que l’argent, ça faisait parti de cela.

Mais avec cela, je sais que la porte-parole pour notre côté va avoir d’autres choses à dire là-dessus, alors je propose la clôture du débat sur le projet de loi n^o 44.

[Translation: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a privilege to rise today to say a few words on the subject of the bilingual bill, The Co-operatives Consequential Amendments Act, 2025.

I just want to put on the record that here in Saskatchewan, we had a credit union for the Fransaskoisie. Credit unions are very important. We know that they are a part of Saskatchewan culture. And I want to put it on the record that they existed in the Fransaskois community as well and that we saw connections with the promotion of our culture because money was part of that.

But with that, I know that the shadow minister for our side will have other things to say on the topic, so I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 44.]

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Bill No. 45

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Tim McLeod that Bill No. 45 — The Co‑operatives Consequential Amendments Act, 2025 be now read a second time.]

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

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a privilege to rise and to put some remarks on the record about Bill No. 45, The Co‑operatives Consequential Amendments Act, 2025. As I was just saying in my native tongue, there has been a tradition in Saskatchewan of co-operatives really representing the culture of where we are and where we’re coming from.

Unfortunately for the Fransaskois community, we did have la caisse populaire, which was a great way 30 years ago of reinvesting money in the economy and in our culture. And sadly we just didn’t have the population to sustain that. But I think that is important to put on the record of a province.

I know that our opposition shadow minister will have more to say about this, so with that I do propose that we adjourn debate on Bill No. 45.

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. 47

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Tim McLeod that Bill No. 47 — The Response to Illicit Drugs Act be now read a second time.]

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

Sally Housser: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to rise today to enter into debate and put some remarks on the record in regards to Bill No. 47, The Response to Illicit Drugs Act. The key points or clauses of this bill, the Act is seeking to kind of align more with existing federal drug laws.

But the key clauses would be creating a statutory right for the province and individuals harmed by drug offenders to pursue civil action and recover costs associated with illicit drug production and trafficking and also allowing certain appointments, grants, or agreements made by the Government of Saskatchewan to be declared void if an individual or entity is convicted of a certain schedule 1 drug offence.

Mr. Speaker, we agree wholeheartedly. And we know that the drug crisis in this province is out of control and we must be doing significantly more to address it. I think there are very few people who haven’t been affected in some way, shape, or form — whether family or friends — by the ravages of addictions here in this province. We’re way above the national average, Mr. Speaker.

And what we heard today at SARM — it’s not new, but we heard much about it today — was that this isn’t . . . the drugs crisis and addictions issues are not simply an urban problem, as some people might think or assume, that this is an issue that is touching every corner of our province. And we have to be doing considerably more to address it.

You know, in addition to getting kind of the poisonous drug supply off the street, it is such a narrow window when somebody who is in the throes of addiction and drugs has the opportunity or decides that they want to seek help. It is such a narrow window when that person decides they need help to get them the services that they need. And when somebody puts their hand up, the government and the province of Saskatchewan needs to be there and say yes, we are here to help you.

Unfortunately what we see right now is certain wait-lists for both mental health and addictions that are unacceptable, sometimes stemming to a full year. That is simply a life-and-death timing that we can no longer sustain here in the province. You know, we need to get a clearer picture of the barriers to accessing treatments for addictions, you know, and unfortunately too many people we’re losing every single year to this persistent crisis, to overdose and drug poisoning.

It’s why it’s so important that we not just get tough on crime, but tough on the causes of crime. And so much of what promotes or exacerbates or fuels the drug crisis is those causes of crime: poverty, houselessness, mental health issues, Mr. Speaker. And we very much support evidence-based treatment.

And with that, Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleague, the critic, who’s been very vocal on this issue, will have more to say. But with that, Mr. Speaker, I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 47, The Response to Illicit Drugs 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. 48

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Lori Carr that Bill No. 48 — The Compassionate Intervention Act be now read a second time.]

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

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure and honour to be on my feet for Bill No. 48, the compassionate intervention.

Mr. Speaker, it is really great if somebody needs more help, we have to get in to support them. And when I remember that when I was doing CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation] training at St. John Ambulance, my question to the nurse was always that if I want to do CPR, what should I do? And she was always telling me, the first thing, you have to get the consent of the person. And my next question was always, if the person is not responsive, they’re not giving me any response, something really serious happened and the person is not able to respond? She said you have to do it, no problem. CPR, you have to do. So it is something that we have to be supporting people.

But in this bill I think we have opportunity that those people, that they are addicted and they’re getting in their life worse and worse, how we can act as a government, as an institution, to make sure we can force them that you have to come to the right track.

[15:00]

I was driving one day and a guy came to me and he said, I need coffee. And I said, well I can bring it for you. When I gave the coffee, it was very cold and I said, why you’re not going to some place? I can take you to the shelter house or I can call a taxi for you. It’s very cold outside there. And he said, I don’t want to go there; I can’t smoke there. So I know addiction and mental health is one of the raising issues in our province. My colleague, she talked about that in very detail.

But I will say if you want to do something, we make sure we have to look to the legal frame as well, that what is our limitation what we can do. We can force people. To stopping one person and doing a proper cure of that person, it is not only one person, Mr. Speaker. That is an entire family.

So we have to have this patience for people. If you feel that they are not going to the proper track where they can get a healthy life, we make sure we have to be intervening to that as well. But I don’t know how much the legal things will be that. So I will say that our critic on our side, and we have some lawyers, they can look into the legal aspect of this bill as well. I will say that our member on our side, critic for this portfolio, he will look and consult with the different stakeholders.

With that I will be moving to adjourn debate on Bill No. 48, The Compassionate Intervention Act, 2025. 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. I recognize the Government House Leader.

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

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried. This House will come back at tomorrow, 10 a.m. And thank you to the Deputy Speaker for bailing me out today.

[The Assembly adjourned at 15:02.]

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

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