And you know, they have a noun and a verb for “ambassador.” So the noun would be the role, the position. And then the verb would be how well you represent your nation and how you engage with others. And today we have the ambassador that is the noun and the verb, from Indonesia.

And so with us today we have Muhsin Syihab, my friend and brother. We had supper last night, lunch today, and have had a great opportunity to hear you tell stories about your home and the great people of Indonesia, and how we can have a relationship with the people of Saskatchewan. And so I’ve really appreciated the opportunity to get to know you. We look forward to the future.

I don’t know if everybody realized, but Indonesia — fourth biggest country in the world. And what really impressed me was his conversation around the tsunami that hit his land, his people, the devastation that it wrought but the resilience that it created, and the unity that it pulled the nation together through trial. And they’ve overcome.

And the Vision 2045, that is our hope, that you will succeed in all of your ambitions and endeavours for the future of your great country, and how we can be a part of that here in Saskatchewan.

We have Jerry Sherman and his wife, Carol, here with us as well. Thank you. They have done a lot of work in connecting countries and ambassadors to political leaders in the different provinces. And we appreciate very much all your work.

And then we have Fred Hill, of course, the chaplain who serves us all.

So I would just ask that all of our members would warmly welcome our ambassador. And I’ll also mention before we move on, we had another ambassador with us from Nepal who was unable to be here. And our thoughts and prayers are with him at the moment. And so please welcome our ambassador here today.

And I recognize the Leader of the Opposition.

Carla Beck: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my honour to rise and welcome these distinguished guests on behalf of the official opposition: His Excellency Muhsin Syihab, as well as Jerry and Carol Sherman from Embassy Connections Canada. On behalf of the official opposition, I would like to welcome you not only to this Assembly, but to this beautiful province. And we look forward to continued and strengthened relationships between Indonesia, Canada, and Saskatchewan.

Again on behalf of the official opposition, welcome to this Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Highways.

Hon. Kim Gartner: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you and to all members, I’d like to introduce Shantel Lipp seated up in the gallery. I’ve had the privilege to work with Shantel over the many years in many capacities. And now as Minister of Highways I get to deal with Shantel as president of the Heavy Construction Association of Saskatchewan. Shantel is deeply committed to protecting the safety of everyone that uses the transportation system in Saskatchewan. I would ask all members to welcome Shantel to this, her Legislative Assembly.

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

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to join with the member opposite in welcoming Shantel Lipp to this, her Legislative Assembly. Working for Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association for well over a decade, she’s just an amazing advocate for the industry, for all of the members that make our highways safe. She helps provide the advocacy for all of those great jobs that are created in the heavy construction industry.

And I’ve had a chance to meet with her and her members a few times over the last year. And on behalf of the official opposition, I’d like to thank her for her service and welcome her to this, her Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Agriculture.

Hon. David Marit: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d be remiss if I didn’t say a few words about Shantel if I could. It goes back probably 20 years when she was at SUMA [Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association] and I was at SARM [Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities]. That’s probably when we first formed a relationship.

And then when I was Highways minister, of course she was advocating. And we got in a lot of arguments, her and I, over . . . And when we talked about our highway construction budget, and I’d tell her how much, and she’d say, “No, no, don’t put that much in. Don’t put that much in.” And I would say . . . And so we always had some good discussion.

But I’ve always appreciated the relationship with the Heavy Construction Association and the members there. And the work that they do for the communities around this great province is something that is never talked about enough. They are great supporters and great champions of every community they do work in, and that should be noted. And it’s all a result of the leadership of their organization. So I want to, on behalf of the government, welcome Shantel to this, her Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

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

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m seeking a leave for an extended introduction.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to introduce a very special guest, Anshul Malik, sitting in your gallery, Mr. Speaker.

Anshul is a small-business owner and a high-performing athlete. Anshul came to Canada in 2021. He is participating in the pistol shooting championship. Anshul has been the Saskatchewan provincial champion in 2023 and 2025. Based on his extraordinary performance, Anshul is the recipient of the Inspire Through Sport Award at the 41st annual Saskatchewan Sport Awards happening earlier this year.

In 2025 Anshul was the Canadian national champion in two pistol shooting events, earning five medals in total. He is actively pursuing to represent Canada at the 2026 CAT [Confederación Americana de Tiro] games, International Shooting Sport Federation World Championship, 2027 Pan American Games, 2030 Commonwealth Games. The list goes on and on and on.

Mr. Speaker, Anshul is a prime example of what immigrants bring to this province and to this country. I’m going to deliver a member’s statement to recognize him. I ask all the members to please join me to welcome Anshul to his legislature.

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

Hon. Alana Ross: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to take a minute to join the member opposite in welcoming Anshul to his Legislative Assembly and acknowledging his tremendous performances that he has had and to wish him all the best in his future endeavours.

It’s wonderful to have an internationally ranked athlete in our midst, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Please join me in welcoming Anshul to his Legislative Assembly.

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

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, this afternoon I’d like to introduce a couple of guests seated in the west gallery from Karis Disability Services. Mr. Speaker, earlier today I had the opportunity to sit down and meet with these two individuals. First of all, executive director for Saskatchewan is Hilary Sandell-Atkins. And joining Hilary this afternoon is Jamie MacRae. She is the talent acquisitions manager for Saskatchewan and also happens to be a constituent in the fine constituency of Warman.

Mr. Speaker, Karis Disability Services provides important supports to individuals with intellectual disabilities across our province. We appreciate their ongoing partnership and the meaningful work they do to improve the quality of life for Saskatchewan residents.

Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to attend their annual community meeting back in September. Had a wonderful time at that. And I was also privileged enough to go up to Creighton last summer, in I believe it was July, to go see the new group home that was built in that community, that Karis is operating. And it’s an absolutely stellar facility, Mr. Speaker.

So with that I’d ask all members of this Assembly to join me in welcoming Hilary and Jamie to this, their Legislative Assembly.

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

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to join the Minister of Social Services in welcoming Karis disabilities to our Legislative Assembly. And a special thank you to Hilary and Jamie for being here today. Karis disabilities does fantastic work. They really foster an environment of belonging, and they provide tremendous support to people with disabilities.

So I would like to ask all members to join me in welcoming Karis disabilities and Hilary and Jamie to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to acknowledge and introduce two people sitting in the east gallery. I’m not going to say a lot about them, because there’s a bet over here whether I’ll get choked up or not. So I’m not going to give them the satisfaction over here.

We have my wife, Carla Blakley, and my daughter Kayla Blakley. Carla came to visit, or in pretense she came to visit. I think she just wanted to check to see if her plants were still alive and if I’d put away all the Christmas decorations, which I had not.

And Kayla is down from Edmonton. She’s a schoolteacher up in Edmonton. They’re on spring break. She came down to visit and just to make sure we hadn’t rented out her room in our house.

So I want to welcome — even though Kayla is in Edmonton, she’s still a Saskatchewan girl — welcome them to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Aleana Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just in case, I’d like to request leave for an extended introduction.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Aleana Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Seated in the east gallery, joining us today is no stranger to this Assembly, my dad, Don Young. He’s a frequent visitor. Although I do try and limit myself to introducing him once per session, Mr. Speaker, so that’s this one here.

My dad, as folks may know, is the executive director of the Cathedral Village Arts Festival. For members who may not have attended, it’s an extraordinary community festival that takes place here in Regina over a week in May. I believe it’s the third week in May.

And under my dad’s leadership it’s just had tremendous growth, Mr. Speaker, both in terms of attendance, both in terms of the cultural complexity of it. They have a whole French-language section of the festival now, Mr. Speaker. And I think very excitingly for our broader community and the province, they now have a permanent partnership with Sâkêwêwak to include Indigenous representation formally within the arts festival which, of course, Mr. Speaker, is free to anyone who comes through — all the performances, all the concerts. It really is what community festivals are about.

The theme this year is “A Story Worth Telling.” And I think that’s something we can all agree. We should celebrate everything in Saskatchewan as a story worth telling, Mr. Speaker.

And I always try and tell one interesting story about my dad while he’s here because he really has had an extraordinary life, Mr. Speaker. And we were chatting in my office and I was remembering one of the times when I spoke to my dad when he wasn’t here. And I was speaking with him on a satellite phone in 1992 during the civil war in Bosnia, where my dad served as bureau chief for the CBC [Canadian Broadcasting Corporation] during the war.

And I would have been very little, Mr. Speaker. I wasn’t closing hospitals and schools. I was chatting with my dad on a sat phone. And at that point, I believe the CBC had the only satellite phone in Bosnia. So Canadian Forces members, my dad was telling me, would line up outside of their door for the opportunity to use that satellite phone and call home, Mr. Speaker. I think an important reminder for all of us of the value that family plays here today and certainly then.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I would like to welcome my wonderful dad to this, his Legislative Assembly.

[13:45]

PRESENTING PETITIONS

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

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present a petition calling for funding of Jordan’s principle.

Now I recently visited Yorkton and heard concerns from a group of mothers about a lack of funding for Jordan’s principle and the ripple effects it was having, not only on the mental health of the kids, but also for the parents, seeing an increased workload and the economic impact at home as they tried to cope with balancing inflation and balancing student supports and tutoring at home.

So the undersigned residents wish to bring to our attention: that Jordan’s principle was established to ensure First Nations children have equitable access to the services they need, including supports in schools; and the recent loss of this federal funding will leave a significant gap in Saskatchewan classrooms, especially for Indigenous students who rely on inclusive education supports to thrive.

I am now going to read the prayer:

Those in the prayer respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan stand up for Saskatchewan and advocate for the restoration of the federal Jordan’s principle funding to support Indigenous students; commit to sustainable, predictable, and equitable funding; and ensure education support workers have the resources and staffing they need.

The undersigned residents are from Lumsden, Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Nipawin, and White Fox, Mr. Speaker. 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 calling for adequate and equitable SAID [Saskatchewan assured income for disability] rates. This is more relevant now than ever.

The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: that the Saskatchewan assured income for disability program is for people with significant and enduring disabilities; that current SAID rates mean that individuals who rely on the program live in what is referred to as deep poverty, defined as less than 75 per cent of the poverty line; that the Saskatchewan government engages in clawback policies that have been found to be discriminatory and further disadvantage people living with disabilities.

I shall read the prayer. The prayer reads as follows:

That the undersigned residents respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately increase SAID rates to account for inflation and the cost of living; respect the constitutional rights of persons with disabilities in Saskatchewan by halting discriminatory practices and align policies with the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; index the SAID basic amount to inflation going forward; and provide targeted relief to those living in the deepest poverty, such as single individuals paying market rent.

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

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

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. On this Trans Day of Visibility, I rise to present our petition to the Legislative Assembly calling for the repeal of Bill 137.

The undersigned residents of the province wish to bring to our attention the following: that Bill 137 directs educators to non-consensually out two-spirit, trans, and nonbinary students under the age of 16 to their parents; that queer and trans youth are at higher risk of homelessness, self-harm, and suicide when denied access to safe and inclusive learning environments; that Bill 137 is in direct contravention of The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms; that Bill 137 was developed without public consultation and is in direct contravention of evidence-based practices for supporting queer and trans youth in our province.

I’ll read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately repeal Bill 137 and ensure that all 2SLGBTQ students are supported and protected in accordance with The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code.

The residents reside in Saskatoon. I do so present.

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

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure to be on my feet on behalf of residents of Saskatoon Stonebridge that I’m aware of that have seen increases of 10 per cent, 20 per cent, as high as 29 per cent to their rent over the last year. This whole House should support the member from Saskatoon Westview’s private member’s bill.

I rise today to present our petition calling for the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to implement rent control now. We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: that Saskatchewan tenants are currently experiencing the highest level of rent increases in this country; that rent in Saskatchewan has risen by 4 per cent in the last year alone, far outpacing wage growth and putting more pressure on families, seniors, students, and low-income residents; that without rent control, landlords can implement unchecked rent hikes, making housing increasingly unaffordable; that with rent control, residents can budget more effectively; that provinces such as British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island have already implemented rent control measures to protect tenants and maintain affordability.

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 adopt fair and effective rent control legislation that limits annual rent increases, ensures housing stability, and protects tenants from being priced out of their homes.

Mr. Speaker, this petition has been signed by residents from Moose Jaw and Regina. I do so present.

READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS

Clerk: — According to order, a petition orally presented by the member from Last Mountain-Touchwood on March 30th, 2026 has been reviewed, and pursuant to rule 16(7) is found to be irregular and therefore cannot be read and received.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

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

Multifaith Event Promotes Mutual Respect

Hon. Jamie Martens: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Multifaith Saskatoon held an event last Sunday — Combating Hate: An Interfaith Response. Religious leaders of different faiths, cultures, and perspectives, together in a spirit of respect and understanding, shared their view on how to combat hate. The keynote speaker was Saskatoon chief of police, Cam McBride.

Through dialogue, education, and collaboration Multifaith Saskatoon promotes connection, breaks down barriers, and builds bridges across communities. Their commitment to mutual respect helps create a more compassionate and unified society where people are encouraged to learn from one another and stand together against hate and intolerance.

The member from Saskatoon University was in attendance with me, and I was honoured to speak at this event, reminding all that no one is born hating. Hatred is learned, and if it can be learned, it can be unlearned. The work against hate is a powerful example of what we can achieve when we choose understanding over division, and it reflects the very best of Saskatchewan: community, kindness, and shared commitment to building a better future. And in the words of Anne Frank, “Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.” Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Community-Based Organization Supports Residents In Crisis

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to recognize the invaluable contribution of Mobile Crisis Services to residents of Regina. Mobile Crisis Services is a non-profit charity and community-based organization. This organization was established in 1973 and has been a cornerstone for crisis arbitration, operating around the clock to meet the need of our communities.

This dedicated team has been a lifeline for individuals and families facing mental health emergencies, domestic violence, and social isolation. They provide 24‑hour support, responding to crisis situations without police lights. Their crisis counsellors are compassionate and skilled in intervention and de-escalation.

They help individuals develop coping skills, making healthier decisions, and connect them back to the community support they need, including emergency shelters during the cold weather time. By ensuring that the Regina most vulnerable residents receive the right care at the right time, they are not only saving lives but they are alleviating pressures on our emergency rooms and first responders.

I would like all members to join me in thanking the staff and volunteers of Mobile Crisis Services for their timeless dedication to keep our communities safe and supported. Thank you.

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

Construction of New Long-Term Care Facility

Kevin Weedmark: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday morning in only slight blizzard conditions, I joined the Minister of Seniors and the Minister of SaskBuilds for the first monthly construction update. This new initiative will provide regular updates on the more than 20 major and 134 other construction projects currently under way across the province, projects that are strengthening communities and improving quality of life.

Mr. Speaker, the first construction update was at the site of the Regina specialized long-term care facility, which will include 240 beds to support seniors and residents with complex needs including dementia, acquired brain injuries, and other conditions. This facility represents a significant investment in compassionate, appropriate care for those who need it most.

Mr. Speaker, what struck me about Monday’s event was its location. The construction site is in the shadow of the former Plains Health Centre, a facility closed by the previous NDP [New Democratic Party] government. Through the snow falling yesterday morning, you could see the former health facility looming over the site and the contrast couldn’t be more clear. While others close facilities, we are building facilities. Where others reduce capacity, we are expanding it.

Mr. Speaker, our government is focused on delivering real results, building modern facilities, providing the right care in the right place at the right time, and building a stronger future for Saskatchewan families. Thank you.

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

National Champion Prepares for Olympic Qualification

Tajinder Grewal: — I’m very pleased to talk about Anshul Malik, a high-performing athlete. Anshul is participating in the pistol shooting championship. In 2025 Anshul became the Canadian national champion in two events, earning five medals in total. He’s now preparing for the upcoming Olympic qualification cycle.

But there was a hurdle. To represent Canada in the Olympics, you must be a Canadian citizen. He qualifies for citizenship in 2027, but the selection process starts this year.

Anshul made a special request for a discretionary grant of Canadian citizenship. The Shooting Federation of Canada provided him a support letter, and his national coach wrote a strong letter to strengthen his case. They also advised him to seek support from elected officials. Anshul first went to his local MP [Member of Parliament] in Saskatoon and asked for help. Unfortunately, his MP told him, “Sorry, he can’t help you.”

Then he came to our office. And my first reaction was, this is a federal issue; we can’t do much. But after listening to his story and his achievements we said, let’s try. We wrote letters to MP Buckley Belanger, MP Heather McPherson, the Minister of IRCC [Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada], the deputy minister of IRCC, then follow up, follow up, follow up.

To make a long story short, on March 12th Anshul received Canadian citizenship. Now he’s all set to represent Canada in the Olympics. I wish him all the best, Mr. Speaker.

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

Emerald Park Businesses Provide Great Food Options

Brad Crassweller: — Mr. Speaker, this past weekend I had the opportunity to stop by a few small businesses in my constituency, specifically in Emerald Park. As you know, small businesses are the backbone of our province, and White City-Qu’Appelle is no exception. We have a wide variety of businesses — range from agricultural to construction, food services, grocery stores, hotels, golf courses, and so much more.

There’s two businesses in Emerald Park I’d want to highlight for you today. The first is Farmer John’s Local Market. This weekend they celebrated four years in Emerald Park. They served coffee and a variety of drinks like their Oreo cookie crunch frappuccino. They have a good selection of salads, sandwiches, pies, breads, and buns. They cater different events, and the store contains many different items, from soaps to honey to jams and other canned goods, all from local Saskatchewan vendors.

The second business, just starting out in Emerald Park, and the day I was there was their third day open. Babco Meats opened on March 26th, and they have three other locations as well. They have so many great options, and a great variety of meat products and a great selection of beef jerky with a wide array of different flavours. From steaks to sausages to smokies, Babco Meats has something for everyone. And with barbeque season just around the corner, it’d be a great time to check out all they have to offer.

I want to congratulate both Farmer John’s on four years in Emerald Park, and Babco Meats for opening their fourth location and choosing Emerald Park. Mr. Speaker, when you combine both of what these stores have to offer with The Tailgating Act, I’d say you have a great recipe for some great game days.

Thank you to the owners and all the workers in these two small businesses for all you do, and for being present in our community. Your presence makes Emerald Park shine just a little bit brighter. Thank you.

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

Trans Day of Visibility Recognizes and Celebrates Diversity

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today, Trans Day of Visibility, is a day to recognize and celebrate transgender and gender-diverse people in Saskatchewan and across the world.

[14:00]

These are our neighbours, co-workers, classmates, friends, and family members. They contribute in so many meaningful ways and build stronger communities in every corner of Saskatchewan. They add so much good to this province and bring joy to the world. And I want to say, thank you for being you.

Now Trans Day of Visibility is not only about celebration. It is also a call to action, especially in moments when trans people are facing increased discrimination, misinformation, and political attacks.

Our role as lawmakers must be to ensure that every young person feels safe at school, every adult can access health care without fear, and every family knows they belong. We must ensure that public policies are compassionate and based on evidence. But unfortunately policies like Bill 137 are a direct attack against queer and trans people and need to be repealed.

All of us, all of us have a role to play in ensuring our province is a safer and more inclusive place, and we must use our voice to support the trans, two-spirit, and queer community.

Saskatchewan is at its best when we choose empathy over division and inclusion over fear. On this Trans Day of Visibility, let us commit to building a province where trans and gender-diverse people are not just seen, but supported, protected, and valued today and every day. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Last Mountain-Touchwood.

Response to Social Media Post

Travis Keisig: — Mr. Speaker, Neil Ottenbreit is the former mayor of Grayson, one of the owners of Grayson meats and a well-respected member of his community. The other day he posted a comment, very positive comment, in response to some of the things the NDP has been saying about schools in Saskatchewan. He said, and I quote:

Our school is well maintained and provides a fabulous learning environment for our kids. We have a new daycare, brand new playground, well-equipped gymnasium, modern technology, amazing teachers, and our children have an incredible environment to learn in.

Neil Ottenbreit is obviously very proud of his community and very proud of Grayson School. And how did the NDP member for Rochdale respond? She called him a troll, Mr. Speaker. She said in a post directly responding to him, and I quote, “Quoting trolls in the House is risky business.”

Mr. Speaker, this is beyond disgusting. The NDP is now expanding its personal attack campaign beyond the House and attacking a former mayor and a well-respected member of his community for simply saying Grayson has a nice school. The NDP call him a troll. Mr. Speaker, this isn’t an accident. It’s a pattern. It’s a strategy to personally attack anyone the NDP disagrees with.

Is that acceptable to the Leader of the Opposition? Does she think it’s okay for her member to call Neil Ottenbreit a troll?

QUESTION PERIOD

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

SaskPower Rates

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, people in this province are struggling to pay their bills more than anywhere else in the entire country. Population is declining, and jobs are on the line.

But this Premier is plowing ahead with his power rate hike that will make things even worse. And the voices, Mr. Speaker, that are speaking out against this rate hike, well they grow every day — independent businesses, the largest industrial power customers in the entire province. Mr. Speaker, even this government’s own rate review panel Chair is criticizing the lack of consultation.

Mr. Speaker, will the Premier scrap his rate hike and start listening to the people of this province?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, we are going to continue to make every effort to ensure that Saskatchewan remains the most affordable province in the nation of Canada to live, Mr. Speaker.

This was a commitment that we made to the people of Saskatchewan in the most recent election campaign, ran just over a year ago, Mr. Speaker. It’s a commitment that we delivered on in the last budget, we delivered on in the budget that was just voted on this past week as well, Mr. Speaker. I point out that all of the cost-of-living measures that were in that budget — over half a billion additional added to the already $2 billion — was voted against by the members opposite.

We’re seeing a record investment coming into the private sector in Saskatchewan — 60 projects over $62 billion, all of them using power, all of them using utilities — and see that this is a positive business environment for them and a solid business environment for them to make that investment, Mr. Speaker.

And just this morning, RBC Economics had made this comment, Mr. Speaker, that “Buyers enjoy the best ownership affordability among the markets that we track, a situation that was further improved in Q4.” They’re speaking about none other than our capital city of Regina.

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

Carla Beck: — What the Premier spent every effort on this weekend was shaking down some of the largest job creators in the province, begging them to come out and defend his rate hike.

Mr. Speaker, I’m not sure why he thinks they would because he has clearly stopped listening to them. Remember, Mr. Speaker, it was this government that cancelled consultations with industry just before Christmas and then sneak-attacked them with a rate hike on January the 2nd. That’s no way, Mr. Speaker, to run a province.

How can the Premier defend his rate hike that drives people and investment out of this province?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, I talked to a number of representatives of different industries, Mr. Speaker, not only over the course of last week and this week but over the course of the weekend as well. There’s no shaking down anyone, Mr. Speaker. And many of them were contacting myself to discuss some of the future missions that we have, Mr. Speaker, on their behalf to ensure that we can continue to have solid market access for the products that we produce, how we are engaging with the federal government to ensure . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — I’m going to ask members to listen carefully to the answers, please.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, to ensure that we are able to get some of the most sustainably produced oil in the nation of Canada and around the world to markets around the world, Mr. Speaker.

And I would just say that in those conversations I was also able to convey to many of them — and I will again over the course of the next week as we meet with more, Mr. Speaker — that when you are looking for people that are going to support your industry and support your investment in Saskatchewan, they are going to have some of the strongest health care in the nation, Mr. Speaker. And they are going to have the most affordable housing and most affordable place to live, as RBC Economics housing affordability report stated just this morning, with Regina being the most affordable city in the nation to live.

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

Provision of Health Care

Carla Beck: — Yet again, Mr. Speaker, this Premier spends his time on damage control instead of trying to fix things, make things better for the people of this province.

Let’s look at his bad-news budget that flatlined health care spending in this province, despite health care being in worse shape than ever. Today we’re learning even more about the impact. The Health Authority’s own budget documents show that funding was denied for things like acute care beds here in Regina, mental health and addictions support, sexual assault nurse examiners, and the list goes on and on.

Can the Premier please explain to the people of this province why these critical health care initiatives simply were not a priority for him?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — There are many initiatives across many ministries, across this government, across the province, Mr. Speaker, that come to the treasury board process, that come to that process, Mr. Speaker. I would say that in the sphere of delivering health care in this particular budget there’s 136 acute care beds that are being built, going to come into operation just this year funded by this government, Mr. Speaker, voted against by the opposition just the other day.

Funding for an urgent care centre in the city of Saskatoon and one in Prince Albert, Mr. Speaker, funded in this budget by this government, voted against by the members opposite. The largest single long-term care investment that this province has ever seen in the history of Saskatchewan, right here in our capital city, funded in this year’s budget, Mr. Speaker, voted against by the members opposite. What we are seeing, Mr. Speaker, certainly is a pattern when it comes to health care.

And they now have added another point to that health care plan, Mr. Speaker. First, they hire an American consultant; second, they encourage people to not go into health care; and third, they vote against the very important investments that this government makes on behalf of families in this province.

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

Carla Beck: — Let’s look at some simple facts, Mr. Speaker. This Premier didn’t even take the extra money that the feds gave them and pull it through to the front lines in health care, Mr. Speaker.

And right now we’re spending $1.2 billion just to service his $43 billion debt. Those are the facts, Mr. Speaker. Saskatchewan people are paying more and more, and health care in this province is getting worse and worse.

Will he admit that the reason that our hospitals can’t get the funding that they need to get funding for the services that they need, Mr. Speaker, is because he has made such a mess of the finances in this province?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I see the Leader of the Opposition recycling questions from a couple of weeks ago in regards to questions around the Canada Health Transfer, Mr. Speaker. I answered those questions at that time. All of the Canada Health Transfer is being spent to deliver health care into the people of this province, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I understand that the Leader of the Opposition is wading into federal politics these days. It would be great if she could also join our Premier and ask, as all other premiers have, for that Canada Health Transfer be restored to the previous levels, Mr. Speaker.

Again, Mr. Speaker, this budget — $8.47 billion being put into health care to put patients first in this province, prioritizing primary care access, expansion of acute care capacity in our largest cities. This is a budget that puts patients first, and we’re proud of it.

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

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That is simply false. And imagine looking at the state of health care in Saskatchewan and flatlining funding. But I guess when you’ve lost the appetite to tackle waste, mismanagement, favouritism in our health care system, you run out of options.

But it’s not only that, Mr. Speaker. When people come forward with the latest crisis in health care, this minister’s response time and time again is to deny the reality on the ground, such as he did yesterday when he refused in here to acknowledge that Saskatoon ICUs [intensive care unit] were on bypass and patients were diverted. And then yesterday, the SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority] and their comms team of one, a Jim Billington — formerly employed as the press secretary to the Premier, a campaign staffer in his leadership bid, Mr. Speaker — they threw together a news conference that barely acknowledged the same.

So will today finally be the day that that Premier or that Health minister acknowledge our hospitals are overrun and more of the same is not going to cut it?

Speaker Goudy: — Just before the answer, I’m going to mention favouritism is something we can’t be accusing the government of.

Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, Mr. Speaker, it’s disappointing when members opposite go after public servants, folks who serve the province well, both in their time in government but now in the Saskatchewan Health Authority or wherever they serve right across the province, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I can tell you what we are focused on. Mr. Speaker, there were questions yesterday about acute care capacity in Saskatoon. As the Premier mentioned, there are 146 beds being added in acute care right across, right across facilities right in the city of Saskatoon, in addition to additional NICU [neonatal intensive care unit] capacity being added at Regina General Hospital, Mr. Speaker.

This $8.47 billion health care budget, Mr. Speaker, it puts patients first. We’re proud of that, and that’s what we’re going to stay focused on.

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

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, patients and health care workers turn to this government for any sign of hope or change, and they get nothing.

In response to yesterday’s display — both from the minister and the SHA, I would add, Mr. Speaker — front-line providers are angry. And I want to read one message I got this morning from a Saskatoon front-line provider who is living the reality downplayed and denied by that Health minister each and every day. And I quote:

We are tired. We do not see any consequences for poor leadership. There is no hope. We are the front line and have to mitigate all the public’s frustration, anger, violence. So, long story short — it is bad, and every day it gets worse. But all this pales in comparison to the conditions that our patients have to endure.

Does the minister accept that this, this is where health care providers are at? Or will he deny that as well?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Myself and folks in this government, Mr. Speaker, we don’t deny or downplay the challenges in the health care system. We acknowledge that there are challenges in our health care system. This is exactly why though, Mr. Speaker, we brought forward the patients-first plan, released in early March to address those specific challenges that we’re seeing.

Mr. Speaker, that’s why we are bringing forward more funding for more acute care capacity in the city of Saskatoon to address these challenges. There’s no denying or downplaying on this side of the House, Mr. Speaker. There’s a focus on solutions that will put patients first.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cumberland.

Minister of Advanced Education

Jordan McPhail: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The Premier’s judgment is a matter of government business. Does this Premier still have confidence in his Minister of Advanced Education?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

[14:15]

Hon. Scott Moe: — The utmost confidence, Mr. Speaker. This was a Minister of Advanced Education that worked with our post-secondary institutes across this province to renew a multi-funding timing agreement: four years of certainty, unlike anywhere else in the nation of Canada, exclusive to Saskatchewan. Much appreciated, I would say, by the leadership at each of those post-secondary institutes across this province.

This was an Advanced Education minister that expanded our health care training positions by over 900, Mr. Speaker. Worked with our College of Medicine leadership to expand another 20 College of Medicine training seats, specifically with a focus on Saskatchewan students who then will stay in our province, Mr. Speaker, and a 45 per cent increase to our nurse practitioner training seats at the University of Saskatchewan and across, Mr. Speaker.

This is an Advanced Education minister that has worked hard to not only represent the constituents that he represents in his constituency, the city of Saskatoon, but across the province of Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cumberland.

Jordan McPhail: — Well, well, well, Mr. Speaker. It sounds like we might’ve got under the Premier’s skin here today. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister of Advanced Education scrum with the reporters in the rotunda today about the sublet scandal?

Speaker Goudy: — I’m going to rule that question out of order. The next question.

I recognize the member from Saskatoon Eastview.

Construction and Maintenance of Schools

Matt Love: — Mr. Speaker, the good people of Willowgrove certainly have a lot of questions for that minister, and some of those questions they have are about building schools. Now last night during Education estimates I asked the minister for a list of planned school capital projects that are being delayed as a result of this bad-news budget.

The minister did admit that school capital projects were facing, “adjustments to the timeline,” but he also assured me that there were “no delays to any of these projects.” In that case, some projects must be getting moved up. Could the minister tell us which of the previously announced school projects will be sped up as a result of his adjusted timelines?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m happy to talk about the 108 schools that have been built by this government since 2008, either brand new schools or major renovation projects — the 26 in Regina, the 26 in Saskatoon. Also, Mr. Speaker, happy to speak about the . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Sorry. Order please.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Happy to speak about the 176 schools the members opposite closed when their party was in power a number of years ago, Mr. Speaker. In addition to that, Mr. Speaker, also happy to talk about the schools where there have been significant dollars put towards major renovations but also minor renovations.

Communities like the community of Grayson, as we’ve heard earlier today, Mr. Speaker, where a good, fine member of that community, a former mayor of that community, said to the NDP, take us off your NDP list because we don’t need that. We have a good school. We have a good daycare. We have a good number of teachers and good programs here.

Mr. Speaker, the former mayor of Grayson — who is a leader in that community, a small-business owner, and a recipient of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee medal for volunteerism — gets called a troll by the member for Regina Rochdale. Because if you disagree with the NDP, then they don’t count, Mr. Speaker, in this province under those members opposite.

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

Matt Love: — Mr. Speaker, I think that that minister might be operating from a completely different dictionary than the rest of Saskatchewan. He says that there are no delays, but he admits the timeline has changed, and he can’t list a single project that’s moving faster than his government’s schedule. So maybe he just has a different definition of the word “delay.”

How does the Minister of Education define the difference between a slower than planned timeline and the word “delay”?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Mr. Speaker, we know that these members opposite, they support all the school projects that are happening in this province. As a matter of fact, we did a sod-turning at the Saskatoon city centre project last summer. The member for Saskatoon Eastview and another member were happy to squeeze into the picture and smile for the cameras, taking credit for the picture . . . He’s getting pretty upset about this, Mr. Speaker.

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Oh my. Okay, order. Order, please everyone. I don’t know if, when the Chair stands that we’re supposed to listen, but I think it is. And I think when the speakers are answering questions or giving questions, we should also show respect by listening.

So, Minister, please.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And we know that they support these schools, Mr. Speaker. But we can’t take these members seriously, and I’ll tell you why, Mr. Speaker.

Because last fall, when that member for Saskatoon Eastview went out and did a press conference talking about a number of schools in the FCI [facility condition index] condition report and said schools like Robert Melrose Elementary in Kelvington, Regina’s Imperial Community School and St. Michael Community School needed to be replaced. It was pointed out to him, Mr. Speaker, by the media who actually said, some of those schools are done. They’ve been replaced. They’ve been closed. They’ve been demolished. New schools are open.

And in the media report, Mr. Speaker, the member for Eastview he said, he did acknowledge that some of the schools in critical condition had either been replaced or were in the process of being closed down, Mr. Speaker. What does he expect? They’ve been done. What more can we do when they’ve been fixed and have been . . .

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

Matt Love: — Apparently that Minister isn’t proud of the work that his own ministry and his government do to create that list. It couldn’t be more incredible.

Now the minister says that a project is taking longer than planned is different than a delay. What a bunch of baloney, Mr. Speaker. It is disrespectful to this House. It is disrespectful to school divisions. It is disrespectful to parents. It is disrespectful to students and teachers, all of whom deserve real answers about what’s really going on under that minister’s watch.

I’ll ask the minister again, since he failed to give any straight answers on the topic last night, which school capital project timelines are being adjusted to take longer than previously planned? This is what the rest of the world calls a delay.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Mr. Speaker, 20 projects under way right now. As I said, the members opposite, they’ve got to be happy to sidle in there and try and get their hands on the shovel when the sod turnings are done and we’re cutting the ribbons, Mr. Speaker. They don’t like to . . . And you know, they’re talking about class right now, Mr. Speaker, and respect and disrespect. And they’re going around calling people of rural Saskatchewan trolls, Mr. Speaker.

You know what else the people of Saskatchewan say, Mr. Speaker? They comment on this list that the NDP is going on. For example, Will says on Facebook, he says, “Take the community of Kyle off the list. That school, we had a minor reno done in the ’25‑26 school year.”

Another person, Chris, says, “Our school in Montmartre had a big renovation a couple years ago.”

Brittany says, “She [the Leader of the Opposition] is just naming towns without actually looking into this. We got a new school, and it’s on their list.”

Mr. Speaker, I’ll take the word of the people of Saskatchewan over those members any day of the week.

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

Trade with India

Kim Breckner: — Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan peas and lentils are currently facing unfair and unjustified tariffs by India. Later today the Indian government will be making an announcement about the future of those tariffs. Saskatchewan producers are already facing soaring costs for fuel and fertilizer. The last thing they need is more challenges from new tariffs.

What assurances did the Premier get on his trip to India to protect our ag exports?

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

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We’ve obviously been engaging directly with India, not just on this particular issue but over many, many years, Mr. Speaker. We have an office in India that we located there a number of years ago. We have a great managing director who’s been doing a wonderful job on engaging, Mr. Speaker.

And I can tell you this as well. I find it passing strange to get this question from the members opposite, this member particularly who raised the question, why are we even trading with India, when asked about a similar matter earlier this year.

We’re trading with India because it’s a major partner, a billion-dollar partner. We’re going to continue to trade with India, Mr. Speaker. We’re going to continue to engage and we’re going to continue to travel to India to build those relationships, whatever those members might criticize us for doing it.

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

Kim Breckner: — Mr. Speaker, the Premier touted the trip to India as a great success, but he was unable to secure any protection from new tariffs by India for Saskatchewan pea and lentil farmers. This is a critical market, and the Sask Party government needs to secure maximum market access in as many countries as possible because of the chaos we see from Donald Trump and around the world.

But now, just a few weeks after the Premier’s visit, new tariffs are on the horizon. Things are getting worse. If new tariffs are imposed today, what will that say about this government’s failure to ensure market access for Saskatchewan products?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of CIC.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — I’ve got to tell you, Mr. Speaker. I’ve been here for nearly 20 years. I am astonished by the gall of these members in asking these questions.

These members stood up for a decade demanding that the Government of Saskatchewan never travel to India, Mr. Speaker. They criticized every one of our ministers who went to India to build these relationships. They criticized the Premier for going to India to build these relationships. This member individually said we shouldn’t be trading with India, Mr. Speaker. These members have zero credibility.

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

Ensuring Community Safety

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m astonished by any member that’s able to clock in 500 kilometres of driving a day.

Mr. Speaker, crime is running rampant in the province. Saskatoon police shared their February 2026 crime stats. They are shocking. This past month there were 213 assaults, 47 sexual violations, 35 robberies, 8 kidnappings, and a homicide. These are just some examples of violent crime. Saskatoon police report a total of 368 violent crimes. This is up 36.3 per cent. Sixty-three people were charged with possession of a weapon just in February.

Mr. Speaker, people no longer feel safe. When will this government do something to combat violent crime?

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

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government considers community safety a very top priority, which is why we are investing $880 million into community safety this year. And that’s $5.6 billion since 2018, Mr. Speaker. This includes funding for additional police officers, increased corrections capacity, and measures in crime prevention and programs to reduce recidivism.

Mr. Speaker, I like taking the opportunity to meet with professionals in the policing industry. And just back in January, Mr. Speaker, I met with someone who I respect very much, Mr. Speaker, and that’s the chief of police in Saskatoon. And he had this to say about crime in Saskatoon, Mr. Speaker: the types of violent crime that people worry about most, almost across the board those numbers were down in 2025.

Mr. Speaker, I’ll take the opinion of the chief of police in Saskatoon over the opinion of that member any day.

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

Women’s Health Care

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Now, Mr. Speaker, last evening I asked the Minister for the Status of Women a series of questions on funding and advocacy for women’s health and for women’s safety. She deferred questions to the Ministry of Health, among others.

This is not good enough, Mr. Speaker. The Minister Responsible for the Status of Women should be taking responsibility and urgent action with these issues: very poor health outcomes for women in general; trauma-informed medical care and getting those gaps closed when it comes to personnel in hospitals; women’s health needs that get overlooked; reproductive health care. The list goes on.

So what then specifically is the Minister Responsible for the Status of Women doing to improve health care for women living in Saskatchewan?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ll start my answer by saying I’m very proud to work with my colleague the Minister for the Status of Women and the MLA [Member of the Legislative Assembly] for Prince Albert Northcote, Mr. Speaker.

This is somebody who spent decades in the health care sector, Mr. Speaker, serving patients not only in this province but other provinces as well, Mr. Speaker. She’s a fierce advocate for all issues related to health care, Mr. Speaker.

When it comes to this government’s investment in the health of Saskatchewan women, Mr. Speaker, I would put our record up against any province when it comes to the investments made in the Regina breast health centre, Mr. Speaker, serving hundreds of patients in southern Saskatchewan, giving them better access, lowering the screening mammogram age of eligibility, Mr. Speaker. We’ve still more work to do, Mr. Speaker. We’re proud of the investments we’ve made, and we’re going to keep making them.

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

Noor Burki: — Mr. Speaker, I seek leave to introduce guests.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has requested leave to introduce guests. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an absolute honour and pleasure to welcome two incredible guests seated in the east gallery. They are from Mobile Crisis Services Regina. Earlier I put a member’s statement for them. That’s Dana Wilkins and Holly Murray. Dana is the executive director, and Holly is the director of legal services.

[14:30]

Mr. Speaker, I speak in detail about that in a member’s statement. They are doing an incredible job in my constituency and, overall, Regina. They are listening to the people where they are not being confident to share their struggles. Mr. Speaker, I will say they are doing an incredible job. They are really true heroes that are taking care of the people that are left behind.

With that, I will request all members to join me to give them a warm welcome to their Legislative Assembly.

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

MOTIONS

Second Reading of Bill No. 612

Aleana Young: — Mr. Speaker, notwithstanding the government agenda and what’s printed in Orders of the Day, I seek leave to move the following motion. Sorry, seek leave to move second reading of the following motion:

That the Assembly immediately consider Bill 612, The Lower Power Bills and Car Insurance Act.

Speaker Goudy: — Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Some Hon. Members: — No.

Speaker Goudy: — Leave is not granted. Orders of the day. Sorry, why is the member on his feet?

Second and Third Reading of Bill No. 38 and Bill No. 39

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, I request leave to move:

That this House consider all stages of Bill No. 38, The Building Schools Faster Act and Bill No. 39, The Building Schools Faster Consequential Amendment Act, 2025 today.

Speaker Goudy: — Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Some Hon. Members: — No.

Speaker Goudy: — Leave is not granted.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

ADJOURNED DEBATES

SECOND READINGS

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 Silverspring.

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s good to be on my feet today to speak to these two . . . well to the first bill, Bill 38, The Building Schools Faster Act. I think all of us here in this Chamber, you know, we all see the impacts of what’s happening in our education system. Any MLA in this building would know what’s happening in their local schools. And we’ve seen from this government’s latest bad-news budget cuts, Mr. Speaker — cuts to the capital budget for our schools.

We have a number of schools in this province. We have schools in my riding, schools such as Centennial Collegiate. One just neighbouring, Sylvia Fedoruk, where kids are jam-packed in classrooms, where they’re looking to find space in any — anywhere, to be frank — to put kids for educational instruction. There’s pressures of all kinds on our educators and our school administrators and our principals and our school boards to make, with what little they’ve got, work.

We’ve seen in the past this government remove grants, I believe, from our municipalities. And they talk a great game about revenue sharing and what have you. But I wonder, Mr. Speaker, how a cut to the capital budget of $67.5 million does anything to build schools faster in this province. I wonder how much of the education budget is being shared with our municipalities. And on that point, a number of other areas like our social services budget and many other areas, which our municipalities have been asked to pick up the slack and essentially solve problems that belong rightly in the hands of the ministries of this government. And education is one such area.

Now this Act doesn’t apply to new schools, doesn’t apply to replacement or repairs, but it does put conditions on our municipalities to foot the bill to buy the land under their conditions — the government’s conditions — and to service that property, which means additional pressure on municipalities’ budgets. And they’re going to have to pay for it one way or another.

And we’ve already seen Regina, we’ve seen Saskatoon, we’ve seen many other municipalities in this province having to raise property taxes or cut services, as all the while municipalities are struggling more and more to deal with issues of homelessness and addiction and crime, right?

And again, I’ll reiterate a $67.5 million cut to the capital budget. I don’t know how you build schools faster when you do that. Or to make it very conditional, to decide, okay, city, you will buy the land, you’ll service it, you’ll set it aside. Here’s the conditions you must abide by. We’ll decide if we’ll build the school though. Hardly seems fair, Mr. Speaker.

The minister could order municipalities to acquire the land. And if they don’t, they can withhold revenues equal to the market rate for that land with 60 days’ notice. That sounds like a great revenue-sharing deal with them, isn’t it? What a bargain. Before buying the land, the municipalities’ school divisions must present the minister with contribution agreements for cost, etc., etc., etc.

This does nothing, Mr. Speaker, to help our schools that are in poor and critical condition. And again, I will ask this government and the Minister of Education: provide the list of those schools that are being delayed, that are not getting repairs this year or next year.

But about the school in Brighton, I love how in the last election the Minister of Advanced Education, the member from Willowgrove, crowed about “building a new school for Brighton, everybody.” Where we already know by the time . . . if by the time that school is actually completed, it will already be bursting at the literal seams. That is little consolation to those folks that have moved to Brighton expecting a place to send their kids, that have made investments in their homes and in their communities, only to have to bus their kids — or drive their kids, more often than not — in schools further away.

It’s clear, Mr. Speaker, 18 years, 19 years, a generation’s worth in this province of this Sask Party government. This is their problem but they’re asking our municipalities to fix that problem for them. And let’s not forget, Mr. Speaker, the waste and mismanagement from this government. So many other areas that they could have saved the taxpayer money, could have saved our municipalities the burden, and yet continue to download on them.

So, Mr. Speaker, I will leave my comments on Bill 38 to that, and I will move to adjourn debate on Bill 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 Silverspring.

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. These two bills are adjacent to each other. They’re congruent. I believe I made most, the majority of my comments prior on Bill No. 38, and I would say, Mr. Speaker, they apply equally to Bill No. 39. And I would move to adjourn debate on Bill 39 as well. 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. 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 Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood.

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s always a pleasure to be on my feet. You know, it’s great to see a bill that is introduced that recognizes the diversity of our great province. It’s in our motto, “from many peoples, strength.” You know, it’s great to see.

I think I do need to point out that there’s been a number of other bills attempting to recognize our diversity that have been blocked by the members opposite, Mr. Speaker. So first of all I had introduced a bill to proclaim a Ukrainian heritage month, and that bill was blocked. And one of my colleagues has now introduced a bill that would recognize a Muslim heritage month.

And the logic behind this seems really strange to me, Mr. Speaker. Although we support the idea of a bill that recognizes these various groups and days and months that are important to them, the logic behind saying that we want to roll it all up into one and pass it all at once is slightly odd to me. It’s sort of like, as a parent, saying, I don’t want to buy all of my kids a birthday card because that would take too long; I’m just going to, you know, buy one birthday card and say, happy birthday to you all.

It was meaningful to the Sikh community when they came in here and we passed the Sikh heritage bill. And I’m not really sure why we wouldn’t want to do that for each community that feels that that would be an important thing to them. I remember on that day many people posing with a signed copy of the bill once it had reached Royal Assent. And I don’t know how much it cost to print that piece of paper to put it on Royal Assent, but I can tell you it was meaningful for those folks who had come to the legislature from the Sikh community.

And as a Ukrainian Canadian I could tell you how meaningful it would be to members of the Ukrainian community to have their own stand-alone bill rather than attempt to sort of roll it all into one piece.

You know, I would maybe share a little story of myself as a Ukrainian Canadian, what it sort of means to me. One of my fondest memories as a kid . . . I think I actually heard one of the members opposite talk about a gathering that filled a house. I remember when my baba would have Christmas dinner or Christmas Eve dinner — which was the big day if you’re Ukrainian — the table would snake from one end of the house to the other. And you know, one person’s back would be to the front door and another person’s back would be to the back door, and the kids would be in the basement eating Christmas Eve dinner. Very excellent memories for me.

And I also remember when I took . . . Recently in September I was in Ukraine, and I actually found the village that my dido came from 100‑and-so-many years ago. It was a very interesting experience to drive through the Ukrainian countryside and see this little village that my family had come from.

And also I think I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention when I was telling this story to our deputy chief of staff, Mitch Bonokoski — who has a decidedly Ukrainian-sounding last name — he mentioned that his Grandpa Bonokoski was from a little, tiny village in Ukraine. And I was like, really? And it turns out that both myself and our deputy chief of staff have a grandpa who’s from the exact same tiny, tiny little village in Bessarabia in Ukraine.

So with that, I think the last thing I feel like I have to say here, Mr. Speaker: there’s been a lot of talk in this legislature of the H-word. You know, people saying this person has said some, you know, hate this, hate that.

You know, this bill came out after there was some very inappropriate things said in the legislature that were very hateful. And it’s good to see a bill that comes out and recognizes . . . and where we can affirm that the people who sit in this House don’t feel that way, that we embrace and recognize the importance of all the people who make Saskatchewan home.

With that, I would move to adjourn debate. Thank you, 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. 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 Regina Wascana Plains.

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m on my feet this afternoon to enter debate on Bill No. 43, The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act. This bill moves to update regulations regarding dangerous animals in municipalities. It also attempts to update regulations around things like municipal designations, bylaw fines, the appeal process, and ethics within municipalities. Lots to impact here. Lots going into regulations.

And what the Sask Party seems to call red tape reduction looks a lot like centralizing power in the minister’s office, which is a long-standing pattern I guess for this government. If the government wants to improve the operation of municipalities, perhaps stop downloading their responsibilities onto these municipalities, just causing property taxes to skyrocket.

I know that my colleagues look forward to entering the debate on this bill as it moves forward, Mr. Speaker. With that, I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 43, The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction 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.

[14:45]

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 Athabasca.

Leroy Laliberte: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to rise to enter into debate on Bill No. 47, The Response to Illicit Drugs Act. Now I know that we all agree here in the Assembly, Mr. Speaker, that there’s a drug crisis in this province and it’s out of control. But the thing is we need the government to give more supports to be able to tackle this, Mr. Speaker.

We’ve been trying to get a clearer picture as to what the barriers are throughout the province to accessing both treatment and addictions help in the province. We had asked over the past few months as to what type of data that they had so that way the people, even the people that I represent in the North, would have a clearer and better understanding as to what it is that we were up against when it came to having the resources or the services to be able to accommodate the people that I represent.

And we had asked the minister to see if they had the data, and she said no. But we seen it with our own eyes that there was data that was available. And I wasn’t trying to, you know, throw anybody under the bus here, Mr. Speaker. I know that we’re all tackling this drug crisis everywhere. Every constituency, every member in this Assembly is affected by it.

And we just needed it again to be able to understand and to see what type of resources or services, because we lack so many services in the North, Mr. Speaker. We lack so many resources to be able to tackle things like that when it comes to mental health and addictions.

We’re losing hundreds of people every year.

Over the past, and I know, you know, previous to my successor, Buckley Belanger, he spoke about attending so many funerals. And that continued on to, I know, when we had Jim Lemaigre here and then also myself. Both the MLA from Cumberland and I have been going to funerals steady, where people are burying their young, burying their grandchildren, Mr. Speaker, to these addiction problems, overdose, and drug poisoning.

We see, you know, my colleague and friend, Betty Nippi-Albright, the MLA for Saskatoon city centre. And she’s been pushing very hard when it comes to accessing those types of resources and services because she’s also attending many funerals, the people that she knows and friends and family like we all have, you know.

So these drugs are tearing apart our communities, and this is where we have to have some serious discussions when it comes to that. Because we travel throughout the North, where we see the communities, and I know that both the Premier and other MLAs in this place that came to the North and they have friends up there, and they’ve seen first-hand the drug crisis that we’re dealing with. And it’s tough to see that.

But we need to have more resources to be able to tackle this, Mr. Speaker. And you know, so having the opportunity to stand and say that we support evidence-based treatment for addictions, but we need proper data to see what type of resources we need to tackle this drug crisis in our province.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I’ll say that again it’s an honour to rise into debate with this, but I’ll also move that there’s more work to be done. And I’ll adjourn debate on this bill. 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. 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 Saskatoon University-Sutherland.

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to enter debate on Bill No. 48, The Compassionate Intervention Act. We all know that, Mr. Speaker, that the drug crisis is out of control in this province. And this government is not paying some attention to this issue, particularly if you see that it happened the last number of years.

And if you want to solve any problem, you need to understand the root cause of that problem. I’m a scientist, Mr. Speaker. That’s how I was trained, that if we want to solve any problem, must understand the problem and then see the root cause of that problem. And particularly if you look at our drug crisis, the root cause is the poverty, homelessness, mental health, addictions — all the issues which are leading to the drug crisis.

Just if you see the number in Saskatoon, Mr. Speaker, three, four years ago, there were 500 homeless people, and now their number is more than 2,000. A number of years ago, this problem was only in the urban centres, but now it’s across Saskatchewan. So this is happening from last number of years. Didn’t start yesterday or a year ago or two years ago.

And when we talk about mental health and addiction issues, our critic, or the shadow minister of Mental Health and Addictions, the member from Saskatoon Centre, and she said so many times that the waiting time for the mental health and addiction patients is 46 weeks. You cannot solve an issue when you’re waiting for 46 weeks.

And this also leads to crime and safety issues. And when I was door knocking in 2023 in my constituency, Saskatoon University-Sutherland, it was not a much issue. And last year in 2025 when I was door knocking, it was one of the top issues even in my constituency. So I mean this issue is consistently increasing, and this government, Sask Party government is not paying attention to that.

And when I look at this bill it has a very narrow focus. It’s basically looking for certain people who they think that they cannot help themselves. But we need to understand the whole issue of the drug crisis and focus on that issue, not on the very specific few patients or few numbers. And other part is that if you force these people to get the treatment and when the recovery happens, then what? If they’re still . . . like don’t have a place to live, if they’re still living in poverty, if there’s still a financial crisis, they will go back to the same situation.

So as I said before, we need to fix the root cause of the problem and we can’t just fix the symptoms only. We need to understand the root cause, then fix the root cause. And we already know that. It’s not rocket science to understand why it’s happening. So this government needs to fix the root cause of the problem. And we also believe in evidence-based treatment for addictions. It must be based on the facts and data and evidence.

And with that, Mr. Speaker, I will adjourn the debate on Bill No. 48. 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. 49

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jim Reiter that Bill No. 49 — The Income Tax Amendment Act, 2026 be now read a second time.]

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

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is a pleasure to get on my feet today to enter a few comments on the record concerning Bill No. 49, The Income Tax Amendment Act as per 2026.

It’s good to talk tax credits at this time because people are struggling with the cost of living. However tax credits do take too long, and people need relief now. I do believe this has been thoroughly canvassed, but I want to make it clear that that is also an issue in Regina Northeast, where we see up to 60 per cent of our population greatly struggling when it comes to affordability measures. We’re not seeing any cost-of-living relief measures in this year’s budget.

And we’re glad to see tax credits for volunteer first responders, but obviously there is more to be done. The government’s response to last year’s wildfires was terrible, and the selfless bravery of volunteers like that saved lives, and indeed it did save communities. So I think it’s possible to acknowledge the two different realities that that presents.

And with that, I would like to move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 49.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried.

Bill No. 50

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jim Reiter that Bill No. 50 — The Financial Administration Amendment Act, 2026 be now read a second time.]

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

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. On my feet again to enter debate on Bill No. 50, The Financial Administration Amendment Act, 2026.

This Act states that the Ministry of Finance can create and administer different grant programs; that employees of the Finance ministry are immune from civil litigation for actions that are carried out in good faith; also that grants, programs, etc., can be paid retroactively within the calendar year.

We absolutely on this side support responsible, efficient financial management, although the Sask Party government has a long history of centralizing power, actually making things less efficient. People and businesses in this province need grants right now, because under the Sask Party government the economy is struggling and people can’t continue to invest in their future.

I know, as I said before, my colleagues are looking forward to entering the debate as this bill moves forward, Mr. Speaker. I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 50, The Financial Administration Amendment Act, 2026.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried.

Bill No. 51

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jim Reiter that Bill No. 51 — The Corporation Capital Tax Amendment Act, 2026 be now read a second time.]

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

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It is indeed a privilege to get onto my feet here to make a few comments on Bill No. 51, the corporate capital tax amendment Act, 2026. Now this is a housekeeping bill cleaning up certain outdated references. But I do wish we were doing more to help all businesses in this province thrive and succeed, and therefore there will be more work ahead. We know that small businesses are important and integral to this province and we know that making changes in that area are also needed. And we expect to see action on that as well.

With that, I am prepared at this time to adjourn debate on Bill No. 51.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — The member has moved to adjourn debate on Bill 51. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried.

Bill No. 52

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Alana Ross that Bill No. 52 — The Heritage Property Amendment Act, 2026 be now read a second time.]

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood.

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you very much, Mr. Deputy Speaker. It’s a pleasure to be on my feet and talk about this piece of legislation. You know, I’ve always especially, I guess, now as I’m getting a bit older, I may be not old enough to be considered a heritage property, but you know . . .

An Hon. Member: — Close.

Keith Jorgenson: — Close? Okay, well hopefully I make it there one day.

You know, I’ve always had an appreciation for our history and I think often our older buildings are how we teach that history. And so actually one of my first summer jobs was working first for Saskatchewan historic parks. I worked in Cannington Manor, the member opposite’s stomping grounds, named after his riding. Was a fabulous time working there, you know, teaching living history.

We would have school groups come out and we would teach them how to play cricket and to make an entire meal on a wood stove. And we were not just teaching them the sort of facts from a book, but with those ancient, those very old structures from Cannington Manor, teaching the living history to the kids around there so they understood where they came from and why that was important.

And my second job after that I worked at Motherwell Homestead, also from a different member opposite. A lovely historic park. During school groups, because I was one of the new guys, I usually played this sort of clumsy hired man and learned how to fall down a set of stairs and through a hay loft without hurting myself. Was an excellent summer.

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I also raised my kids in what I believe now is a 119‑year-old deconsecrated United church. And so again my kids grew up surrounded by that sort of sense of history, that there was somebody a long time ago that had built that structure that now served as our home.

And again I think it’s important for us to understand who we are and where we came from. We have to understand our past. And the best way of teaching that past is through, you know, those structures that people lived in — or in the case of a church, you know, were married, buried, and baptized in.

So with that, I would move to adjourn debate on The Heritage Property Amendment Act, 2026. Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried.

Bill No. 53

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jeremy Harrison that Bill No. 53 — The Saskatchewan Chemical Fertilizer Incentive Amendment Act, 2026 be now read a second time.]

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

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I rise again today to enter some remarks on Bill No. 53, The Saskatchewan Chemical Fertilizer Incentive Amendment Act, 2026. So this bill basically extends the deadline for eligible capital expenditures from January 1st, 2027, to January 1st, 2032, for another five years.

I’m part of the agriculture industry almost all my life, Mr. Deputy Speaker. I understand the importance of fertilizers to agriculture, and I understand that our producers and our farmers do need fertilizers to grow their crops. And it’s good to have more options for them, and it’s better to have more business in Saskatchewan.

So this amendment is incentivize the many businesses, so it’s a good thing to have in Saskatchewan. But also I would like to add that this government should help all small and local businesses, because when I was talking to a number of restaurants in Saskatoon last week, they were struggling. They are struggling. And some of them, they are saying they are closing soon because they cannot survive in this environment.

So this government can help those local businesses, those small businesses, by removing the PST [provincial sales tax] on the restaurant meals and by removing the PST from the grocery items. And they can also provide relief by removing the provincial gas tax for six months. We’re already proposing these bills from our side, and I hope that this government can pass them soon.

And also if they really want to help the businesses, they can also remove these power rate hikes which they are proposing, they already proposed, and we put forward a motion here from this side that removes those power rate hikes. This will really help the many, many businesses in Saskatchewan.

Also the SGI [Saskatchewan Government Insurance] increases the cost. All these local businesses, small businesses need to drive, they need their trucks to fill with gas, and they need to reduce their SGI rates.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I move to adjourn the debate on Bill No. 53. Thank you.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried.

Bill No. 54

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Michael Weger that Bill No. 54 — The Correctional Services Amendment Act, 2026 be now read a second time.]

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

Leroy Laliberte: — Thank you, Deputy Speaker. Again it’s my honour to rise and enter into the debate on Bill No. 54, The Correctional Services Amendment Act of 2026. Again, Mr. Deputy Speaker, we’re consulting with our stakeholders with these changes that are made and amendments made.

And this is also, looking through this, Deputy Speaker, it’s a reminder that the crime rates in our province is out of control. It’s something that we know, something that we see, and we’ve been . . . I know that I’ve had a few conversations even just over the weekend. PAGC [Prince Albert Grand Council] had a policing symposium in Prince Albert on Thursday, and a colleague and I — the MLA for Cumberland — were in attendance. And we heard first-hand the ways that they’re trying to collaborate to be able to tackle, again, the crime situation that’s taking place in our province and throughout the North.

And I was quite surprised though, Deputy Speaker. I didn’t see anybody from the government attend that meeting. Quite important to be there.

And then on Friday we had the chance to also sit down with New North, which I think there was 35 municipalities that were represented there from throughout the North. Meeting with northern mayors and again talking about public safety, one of the number one topics that they’ve been talking about, you know. It’s affecting everybody in the province and especially the people in northern Saskatchewan.

And so, you know, we’re all seeing that the prisons are overcrowded. It’s creating dangerous conditions, not only for the inmates but for the workers, so it’s something that needs to be considered in this bill, Deputy Speaker.

So there’s still some things that need to be considered in this bill, and I think that I would move that we would adjourn debate on this bill, Mr. Deputy Speaker, Bill No. 54, The Correctional Services Amendment Act, 2026. Thank you.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

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

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

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Deputy Speaker B. McLeod: — Carried. The Assembly now stands adjourned until tomorrow at 1:30. Thank you.

[The Assembly adjourned at 15:06.]

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

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