It is with great sadness that we mark the passing of Saskatchewan’s 21st Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Vaughn Solomon Schofield. But in that sadness we can find joy as we take a moment to celebrate the life of an amazing Saskatchewan resident.

Born and raised in Regina, educated in both Regina and Chicago, she went on to lead a life dedicated to business, to community, and our military personnel as well as their families. Her Honour — or might I refer to her as Vaughn — she spent a lifetime serving on numerous boards and community organizations: the Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, Hospitals of Regina Foundation, the 2003 Grey Cup committee, the Saskatchewan Power board, Regina Airport Authority, just to name a few.

For her years of service she has received the Saskatchewan Volunteer Medal, the Saskatchewan Order of Merit, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and most recently the King Charles III Coronation Medal. And just last fall she received an Honorary Doctorate of Law from the University of Regina. That recognition meant a lot to her, as her father had also received the very same honour years before.

Her impact on Regina, the surrounding area, Saskatchewan, and our nation of Canada cannot be understated. Far beyond this province, I think one of the most interesting things that I learned about Vaughn’s life was in the 1980s she travelled around both North and South America establishing crime watch groups. She hosted a crime prevention talk show in Fort Lauderdale and was named Florida’s Crime Prevention Woman of the Year, not just once but on two occasions.

These are all amazing accomplishments, but I think her dedication to our Canadian Armed Forces is what stands out for me. Her heart was certainly with the men and women and their families who boldly served this country. Just last May after serving for 13 years as the Honorary Colonel of the 10th Field Artillery Regiment, Vaughn was appointed the Honorary Colonel of 15 Wing Moose Jaw. Part of her work was mentoring commanding officers and members right on the base. She also wanted to focus on how she could help the families of those very service members, and I can’t think of a better person to be doing just that. Vaughn received the Canadian Forces Medallion for Distinguished Service in recognition of her dedication to our Armed Forces.

What many of us in this room today remember her for is her time as our Lieutenant Governor from 2012 till 2018. She continued her service to our Armed Forces during her time as Lieutenant Governor, establishing the Lieutenant Governor’s Military Service Pin to acknowledge the service of Saskatchewan men and women in uniform, both current and retired.

Mr. Speaker, I could just make a few personal notes on our former Lieutenant Governor and my former friend, Vaughn Solomon Schofield. She swore myself into this very position back in 2018. She swore in the first cabinet that I had the honour to appoint.

But my time spent with Vaughn actually was much prior to that. During my time as Advanced Education minister — and I think the current minister could attest — during many public and formal events, in particular convocations of our post-secondary institutes, you have many hours to visit and to converse with the Lieutenant Governor. And I certainly did with Vaughn, and I appreciated every minute of it.

We attended those official events, in particular as I said, those convocation ceremonies. And one thing we can certainly remember of Vaughn, and I made comment on on every occasion, was her distinguished style. She always, Mr. Speaker, carried herself with such a level of distinguishment. And in particular her shoes — she never wore the same pair of shoes twice that I saw, and they were always outstanding. It’s really a statement of Vaughn Solomon Schofield’s dignity, of the honour that she has for this province and for that position, and the respect that she has for all that she meets.

Truly she was a great representation, a great Queen’s representation for the province of Saskatchewan, a great representation of our Commonwealth, of our nation, and most certainly of what it means to be from this province.

Mr. Speaker, today we celebrate what was truly an extraordinary life, and we have the opportunity to thank Vaughn for her unwavering service to our province and to our country and to the Commonwealth.

So to her children, Whitney and George, their spouses, and to her five grandchildren, we say thank you. Thank you for sharing Vaughn with all of us. We send you our deepest condolences at what we know is a very difficult time. But please know that you will remember with pride the life of your mother and your grandmother. Vaughn’s truly was a life of leadership, a life of legacy, truly a life well lived.

So I want to close with a quote from Vaughn herself, one that I think encapsulates her life and one that we can all very much take to heart. And I quote: “It’s one simple word — giving. I was raised to appreciate what I had and to give back at every opportunity. Community service is my mantra — always has been, always will be.”

Speaker Goudy: — Thank you, Premier. I recognize the Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

Vicki Mowat: — Request leave to make a statement.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has requested leave to make a statement. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Vicki Mowat: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to members for granting leave. I rise today on behalf of the official opposition to pay tribute to an incredible leader of our province, former Lieutenant Governor, the Hon. Vaughn Solomon Schofield.

In addition to serving as Saskatchewan’s 21st Lieutenant Governor, she was an incredible leader in the business community and a strong advocate for the Canadian Armed Forces. Vaughn Solomon Schofield was the Lieutenant Governor when I was elected to this Assembly in 2017, and I had the chance to meet her many times in her official role representing the Crown for speeches from the throne, Royal Assent, and at events at Government House.

She always undertook her official duties with the dignity and grace required of her role as Lieutenant Governor. Before, during, and after her time as Lieutenant Governor, she was an outstanding supporter of the Canadian Armed Forces. She served as an Honorary Colonel for the 10th Field Artillery Regiment before being appointed Lieutenant Governor, and was appointed Honorary Colonel at 15 Wing Moose Jaw just last year, continuing her service and support.

I served as a reservist in the Cadet Instructor Cadre before I entered politics, and I know she was a strong supporter of that organization as well.

In closing, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a grateful opposition, I wish to express condolences to the family and friends of Vaughn Solomon Schofield, and to all who are mourning the remarkable loss of this leader who left her mark on Saskatchewan. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — Thank you. I would ask that we all rise in remembrance of Her Honour, just to take a moment of silence.

[The Assembly observed a moment of silence.]

Thank you.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Agriculture.

Hon. David Marit: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you and to all members of the Assembly, I want to introduce three guests in the west gallery from the great community of Frontier.

These folks are fine representatives from the community of Frontier. I’ve been there on several occasions over the past few years as that is now part of my constituency as well. But obviously Brady Berg is the mayor of Frontier, a good friend of mine. And also Denny Wold is there with them; and Warren Fossum is also there. So I want to take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, to welcome these three fine representatives from Frontier to this, their Legislative Assembly.

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

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask for leave for an extended introduction.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a great pleasure to have Kyla Thomson here with us in the Legislative Assembly. I’ve known her husband my whole life, and I’ve known Kyla for a couple of decades. She’s a medical mom, an advocate, a teacher, and a speaker. And I came to, as I said, know her a couple decades ago.

Her son Waylon is seven years old and in grade 2 in Swift Current. She stepped away from her career as a teacher to become a full-time medical mom back in about 2014. She hosts a podcast called Beyond Brave, remaining deeply committed to advocacy, awareness, and carrying forward Bella’s brave legacy.

Guided by the way her daughter lived, spoke, and showed up in this world, Kyla continues to advocate with the same honesty, courage, and heart that Bella taught us all. Kyla and Bella were motivated and energetic advocates for so many organizations and causes — and she continues to be — including TeleMiracle, SaskAbilities, Ronald McDonald House Canada, Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon, and SickKids in Toronto.

And of course, in spirit, I wish to introduce your daughter Bella Thomson, someone I was fortunate to know, who I will be sharing about in a member statement. There’s a lot of overlap between what I say about Kyla and Bella, so I’ll just say this. Bella, you are the strongest, wisest beyond your years, most courageous, and inspirational kid this province has every known. And I am glad to say she is with us in spirit today and forever and ever. With that, Mr. Speaker, Kyla and Bella, we’d like to welcome you to this, your Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to also join with my colleague, who said it very well, the member for Saskatoon Stonebridge, in welcoming Kyla from Swift Current to her Legislative Assembly here this afternoon. And I think the member for Stonebridge has obviously known the Thomson family longer than I have, but like many of us across this province, Mr. Speaker, I think we’ve all gotten to know a little bit more about the Thomson family.

Kyla, of course, as the member talked about, mom to Bella Thomson — but better known to so many of us, millions of us, as Bella Brave — through her courageous battle through all her multiple health conditions that she had over a number of years, as the member talked about, spending time at the children’s hospital for sick kids in Toronto, of course at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital here in Saskatchewan, and far and wide, but did not let any of that dampen her spirit, Mr. Speaker.

And so many of us saw that either through social media, I know that Kyla’s written a book as well to talk about Bella’s brave journey. And she had a bowel transplant, I believe in 2023 if I’m not mistaken, and then sadly passed away in July of 2024, Mr. Speaker.

And I had limited opportunity to meet the family and to meet Bella, but I do remember very closely, the member talked about her brother, Waylon. And at a Timbits hockey practice in Swift Current at the Fairview arena one Sunday morning or Saturday morning, she was running around with a box of cookies and Timbits, happy as could be, smile from ear to ear. And that’s who Bella was.

Mr. Speaker, we were proud to be able to recognize Bella posthumously, as it was, with a King Charles Coronation Medal that was presented to Kyla and Lyle and Waylon on behalf of the government for Bella.

But, Mr. Speaker, through you and to you to all members of this Assembly, welcome Kyla Thomson to this, her Legislative Assembly. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, it’s a real pleasure and honour to welcome a leader in agriculture, a leader within his community to his Assembly, and that’s Trevor Green who’s seated up in your Assembly.

[13:45]

Trevor is a very proud livestock producer just northeast of Moosomin, right near Fleming. He’s also elected with APAS [Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan] as an elected rep. He’s served with them for over the last seven years or so. Trevor has also served with the Moosomin Fire Department for the past 18 years. In fact he serves right now as a lieutenant with the fire department and gives back in many ways. And he’s also a youth hockey coach; he coaches U13 [under 13] as well. So I see Trevor around the rink as well.

Anyways, it’s a real honour to welcome Trevor to this Assembly. He gives back in many ways to this province and to the community and to agriculture within this province. And I ask all members to join with me in giving Trevor Green a big warm welcome.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Yorkton.

David Chan: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to welcome two of my constituents here in the west gallery: Dustin Brears and Greg Litvanyi, both city councillors here in Yorkton.

Dustin is also owner of Credence Construction, and he’s one of two fellows that run Saskatchewan search and rescue. And so I’m pleased to have him here today. And Greg Litvanyi had an extensive career as a firefighter, and my first impression with him was his incredibly firm handshake. I think I had to actually kind of make my arm go limp a bit there when he squeezed my hand.

But Greg Litvanyi, Dustin Brears, it’s a pleasure to have them here. Please join me in welcoming them to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Doug Steele: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Up in the west gallery, I’d like to also recognize three gentlemen from Frontier, Saskatchewan down there, when it was part of my constituency until we changed the boundaries. Great community, Frontier, and Brady’s the mayor.

I remember Brady was referred to as the youngest mayor in Saskatchewan. Isn’t that right, Brady? And anyway we’ll go with that, that’s my story. But anyway I’d like to welcome you guys to your legislature. And I know Dave will take great care of you, so thank you.

PRESENTING PETITIONS

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

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan, wish to bring to your attention the following: that Jordan’s principle was established to ensure First Nations children have equitable access to the services they need, including supporting in schools. The recent loss of federal funding will leave a significant gap in Saskatchewan classrooms, especially for Indigenous students who rely on inclusive education support to thrive. Funding cuts by the federal government have led to layoff of 80 education assistants from Saskatoon Public Schools, with more funding shortfall expected in September.

Instead of stepping up to fill the gap, the 2025‑2026 provincial budget reduces education funding, budgeting 4.4 billion less than what was actually spent in the previous year. This is an alarming move at the time when our schools are already stretching up to the breaking point due to chronic underfunding and short-staffing.

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to stand up for advocacy and the restoration of federal Jordan’s principle funding to support Indigenous students in their schools.

Mr. Speaker, the signators of this petition reside in Prince Albert, Saskatoon, and Meadow Lake. I do so present.

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

Sally Housser: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to rise today to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to immediately reimburse Regina taxpayers for the Costco deal.

The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: that the city of Regina had to offer Costco a 6.78 million incentive package to keep Costco at the originally proposed Westerra location; that the city of Regina was forced to offer that incentive package because the Global Transportation Hub attempted to outbid them; that a sale to the GTH [Global Transportation Hub] would have denied Regina the property taxes from development, while forcing the city to enhance and maintain the roadwork and services; that an additional 6.78 million cost has hit Regina taxpayers in the same year that they were hit with the largest tax increase in over a decade.

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 reimburse Regina taxpayers for this Costco deal.

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

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Athabasca.

Leroy Laliberte: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to build a school in White City.

We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan, wish to bring to your attention the following: that the towns of White City, Emerald Park, and surrounding communities have seen a sharp increase in population in recent years; that many high schools in the surrounding rural municipalities are at or over capacity; that White City and Emerald Park are the largest communities in Saskatchewan with no high school and the only with a defined population of 5,000 or more; and that a high school is needed to fulfill the educational needs of thousands of families that moved to east Regina, White City, and surrounding communities who will have children attending a high school in the next three years.

With that, 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 prioritize building a high school in White City, with distinctive plans to open doors in the 2028 school year.

The undersigned residents reside in White City. I do so present.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

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

Remembering Bella Thomson

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Bella Thomson — Bella Brave — was a young girl from Swift Current whose bravery changed lives everywhere.

Born with rare medical conditions, including Hirschsprung disease and dwarfism, Bella spent her life in and out of hospital. Over 10 years she endured more than 30 surgeries, including a life-saving bowel transplant in Toronto. With mom Kyla, Bella shared her journey online with honesty, heart, and bravery. What began as a way to manage life in hospitals grew into a global community of millions. Bella’s joy, humour, and spirit offered hope to families navigating medical trauma and uncertainty.

Bella’s accomplishments are measurably limitless. She received the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Outstanding Youth Philanthropist Award from RMHC [Ronald McDonald House Canada], the Trillium Life Network Medal, and was recognized as a child ambassador for JPCH [Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital], SickKids hospital, and Ronald McDonald House. Bella received recognition due to her tireless advocacy, philanthropy, and service to her province, country, and to many around the world who found inspiration in her story.

Bella sadly passed away on July 14th, 2024, at the age of 10. Though her life was short, too short, her impact was vast. Bella Brave leaves behind a legacy that continues to raise awareness for rare diseases, organ donation, and medically complex kids. She taught the world that bravery can live alongside fear, pain, and love, and even the smallest voices can create change. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Lumsden-Morse.

Community Rallies to Repair Historic Cenotaph

Blaine McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Royal United Services Institute of Regina is a non-profit organization that has operated in Saskatchewan for over 100 years. Its mandate is to honour past and present members of the Canadian Armed Forces and to promote military heritage in the province through education, advocacy, research, storytelling, museum work, internships, exhibits, and public engagement.

One of its most visible contributions sits at the heart of the city in Victoria Park. Since 2020, 36 pedestals have been installed around the cenotaph, each one telling a powerful story of service and sacrifice: topics such as D-Day, the Korean War, Indigenous veterans, war brides, and Vimy Ridge. These stories became even more accessible through QR [quick response] codes allowing visitors to explore deeper through images and narratives on their phones.

Unfortunately in early March 2026, three pedestals were vandalized significantly, damaging important public history installations intended to educate and commemorate. Mr. Speaker, this is not the first time. But response from the community has been immediate and uplifting. Support has ranged from grassroots community efforts such as the Copper Kettle offering lunch to volunteers from Remco Memorials doing the repair work, with members of parliament reaching out to offer any assistance required.

The vandalism was disappointing, but the reaction has reinforced that these stories matter, and so does the work of preserving them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which took place on April 9th, 1912. This year was the 109th anniversary. The Battle of Vimy Ridge is viewed by many at home and abroad as the battle that truly birthed the nation of Canada as a defensive powerhouse.

On Saturday, I and the member from Lumsden-Morse had the honour of joining members of the North Saskatchewan Regiment 38 Service Battalion and 38 Combat Engineer Regiment in Saskatoon at their annual Vimy Dinner. The event raises money for soldiers and their families. I think we can all agree, as geopolitical tensions escalate, that there is no better time to pour resources into our military members and their families than right now.

The highlight of the evening, Mr. Speaker, was certainly getting to listen to Retired General Rick Hillier, a Canadian army officer who served as our Chief of the Defence Staff in 2005 to 2008. General Hillier reminded the room the true proof of a leader is in their troops, the people around them, and the way a leader empowers others to rise up and lead in turbulent times. We live in turbulent times. General Hillier met the moment, and I was grateful to be in his presence.

Thank you to the North Saskatchewan Regiment for the invitation. Cede nullis — yield to none.

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

Buffalo Return to Kahkewistahaw

Kevin Weedmark: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. After 145 years, the buffalo have returned to Kahkewistahaw First Nation. It was an honour to be invited to attend and speak at this historic and meaningful occasion recently. I was there to witness the buffalo return, and it’s something I will never forget. It was a powerful moment of cultural renewal, healing, and pride. Chief Taypotat spoke that day of the importance of the buffalo and reminding the young people of their identity.

I want to extend my sincere congratulations to Chief Taypotat, Kahkewistahaw council, and all those who worked so hard to make that day a reality. Their leadership and vision have brought forward an initiative of deep significance for their community and for Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, our government has been pleased to work alongside Kahkewistahaw on a number of initiatives. I was honoured to be there last fall to announce the designation of Highway 201 as Chief Kahkewistahaw Way, and I’m reminded every time I visit Kahkewistahaw of how much that means to them. I was proud to be there when we opened the auto body training program, and I’ll be back in Kahkewistahaw soon to present a cheque from our provincial school playground initiative for Kahkewistahaw School.

Mr. Speaker, I congratulate Kahkewistahaw First Nation on their many forward-looking initiatives and thank them for allowing me to share in such a historic day — the return of the buffalo. Thank you.

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

Rising Rates of Crime and Addiction

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to talk about the financial cost of the crime and addiction crisis in this province. You know, I recently visited Saskatoon and Prince Albert’s downtown, and I talked to many business owners.

And I was struck by two things, Mr. Speaker — first of all, the degree to which that this government does not listen to the people that it serves. Even in P.A. [Prince Albert], not one person that I met had ever gotten a visit from a member of this government. And secondly, the degree to which this government has done dramatic and long-lasting damage to businesses in our cities by ignoring the growth of crime and addictions.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan historically has been the kind of place where people didn’t lock their doors. Now when you go into downtown Saskatoon or P.A., dozens — dozens — of businesses that I visited had their doors locked when they were open, Mr. Speaker, because they don’t feel safe. One business owner told me a horrible story about being assaulted in front of her daughter at her business.

Crime and social disorder are the number one concerns of business owners in Saskatoon, and vacancy rates are soaring. We need to get tough on crime and on the root causes of crime, and everything that this government does has made things worse — cutting programs that fight homelessness and addictions and the lack of tools for police officers. People and business owners of Saskatchewan are paying for the failures of this government. We deserve better, Mr. Speaker.

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

Praise for Patients-First Health Care Plan

Brad Crassweller: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s been just over a month since our government released the patients-first health care plan, and work is under way on many of the more than 50 next steps identified in the plan. Since its release, several health system partners have shared their thoughts on the plan.

[14:00]

Toni Giraudier, president of Saskatchewan Association of Nurse Practitioners, said:

What excites me most is the focus on collaborative, team-based, patient-centred care. When all health care providers work together to the fullest of our abilities, patients and the health care system thrive.

Mr. Speaker, in a news release applauding the release of the plan, Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan CEO [chief executive officer] Michael Fougere said, “We thank the Government of Saskatchewan for taking an innovative approach and using all of the resources available to expand health care across Saskatchewan.”

Michelle Donald, president of the Saskatchewan Physiotherapy Association, said:

Our province is at an important turning point. Physiotherapists stand ready to help the government deliver on its patients-first vision by improving access, reducing wait times, and ensuring Saskatchewan people receive timely care close to home.

Mr. Speaker, our government looks forward to working with our valued partners in the health system to put patients first by delivering on the goals of expanding access to health care, maximizing scopes of practice, and ensuring Saskatchewan families receive the right care in the right place as close to home as possible. Thank you.

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

Strong Saskatchewan Economy Means More Jobs

Travis Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Saskatchewan has the strongest economy in Canada, and that means more jobs for Saskatchewan people. According to the March job numbers released by Statistics Canada on Friday, Saskatchewan has the second-best monthly job growth in the country and the lowest unemployment rate in Canada. Over the past year there were 15,000 new full-time jobs created here in Saskatchewan. That is 10 times the rate of full-time job growth across Canada.

There are more women working, more men working, more young people working, more First Nations working, and more Métis people working. There are more people working in Regina, more people in Saskatoon, more people in Prince Albert, more people working in health care, in agriculture, in construction, in scientific and technical services.

In just a few minutes we are going to hear the NDP [New Democratic Party] continue to run down Saskatchewan and tell us how terrible everything is because apparently, Mr. Speaker, even that’s a job here. But they’re wrong. Saskatchewan’s a great place to live. There’s so much to be proud of here, and our government will keep working hard to build and protect the very best province in Canada. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

QUESTION PERIOD

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

SaskPower Rates and Affordability

Vicki Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, under this Premier gas prices are up, food prices are up, housing prices are up, and insurance prices are up. And now is the worst time for the Premier to impose a $136 million power bill hike. The people of Saskatchewan who are struggling to put food on the table each month are tired of hearing the Premier claim that things are affordable in this province, because they are not. To quote the mayor of Beauval who spoke out at a recent meeting at the rate review board, “Give us a break.”

So rather than boasting, can the Premier just agree that it’s time he stopped his $136 million dollar SaskPower rate hike?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I had the opportunity actually to speak with the mayor of Beauval just a few minutes ago over at the SUMA [Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association] convention along with a number of other municipal leaders from across the province, Mr. Speaker. I’m very pleased, and might I say thank you to each of them for the leadership that they provide and the willingness and openness to work with the provincial government to ensure that this province remains the most affordable province in the nation of Canada, Mr. Speaker.

A province with the second-lowest utility bundle across the nation of Canada, Mr. Speaker. A province that on a per capita basis has one of the strongest and the best budgets in the nation of Canada, one that invests in our economy, invests and protects our health care system, invests and protects the safety that we have in communities across this province. And a province where, relative to 2007, Saskatchewan residents pay $4,400 less in personal income tax, Mr. Speaker — all taxes actually, relative to that date. A province where we have the opportunity to pay $3,000 less than neighbouring Manitoba, Mr. Speaker.

We are going to continue to make efforts and initiatives, deliver on our campaign platform commitments, Mr. Speaker — delivering yet another half billion dollars in affordability measures in this budget, a total of two and a half billion dollars annualized in each and every budget on behalf of the people and families we represent across Saskatchewan.

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

Vicki Mowat: — Well I guess that’s a no, Mr. Speaker. And I’ll tell you, on the doorsteps of P.A. this week, they certainly weren’t praising the affordability bundle of this government.

Mr. Speaker, the Premier is planning to take $136 million out of the pockets of families, farms, and small businesses. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business estimates that the cost to farmers alone will be hundreds of dollars before the second rate hike that the Premier is plotting. Last week SaskPower tried to justify these rate hikes. They claimed that since the Premier didn’t raise rates in 2024 and 2025, the impact would now be minimal. That’s quite the logical leap, Mr. Speaker.

Does the Premier really think that because he didn’t impose a rate hike last year, that means that people can afford it now?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity to speak with a number of individuals and families from the city of Prince Albert, and I can tell you what they are excited about: a new hospital in that community. What they are excited about is the investments in front-line police officers, provincially funded investments in that community. What they are excited about is the investment in an urgent care centre, the investment in a complex-needs centre to ensure that we can implement our recovery-oriented system of care, provide recovery opportunities, and provide everyone access to a primary health care provider — all within the confines of protecting those investments, Mr. Speaker.

This very budget will ensure that we’re able to transition to our nuclear future in this province, keep our electricity rates not only affordable — second most affordable utility bundle in the nation — but ensure that they are reliable for families and for industry. And the 60 projects that have been announced: over $62 billion of investment, providing careers. Right in that very city a number of those careers, Mr. Speaker, the city of Prince Albert.

And doing all — relative to provinces that are led by an NDP government — doing all with a far lower per capita deficit, Mr. Speaker. We’re five and a half times lower than NDP Manitoba and four times lower per capita than NDP British Columbia.

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

Aleana Young: — Well, well, well, Mr. Speaker, it’s clear the Premier has no answer when it comes to his $136 million power bill hike. Well I attended the rate review panel meeting last week, Mr. Speaker, and it was informative. Well, informative in the sense that we learned that there’s no plan, Mr. Speaker. There’s no plan for affordability. There’s no plan to guarantee affordable, reliable power for the families, farms, and businesses in Saskatchewan that need it.

But actually to be scrupulously fair, as was pointed out by the Deputy Leader there is one affordability measure that this government is putting forward to the people of Saskatchewan, and it’s that they didn’t jack their bills up last year. I kid you not, Mr. Speaker.

So to the Premier: cost of living, affordability is the number one concern for people in the province. People in Saskatchewan are choosing between heating and eating. Will you show some leadership, stop this power bill hike, and provide some affordability relief to people in this province?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, these questions have been asked and answered. The second-lowest utility bundle in the nation of Canada. The most affordable place to live in the nation of Canada. As by RBC Economics, the most affordable place to buy a house is Regina, Saskatchewan; most affordable place to raise your family, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker.

What we see — and this is why no one in this province takes the NDP seriously, Mr. Speaker — is they talk about a plan, but then they never come forward with a plan.

Case in point: their health care plan. We compare a patients-first initiative, the government’s plan, 50 action items in that plan, to the opposition’s plan, which first hired an American consultant. That wasn’t good enough, so now they have got their inspiration from Dr. Meredith Grey, Mr. Speaker. Dr. Meredith Grey is not a doctor, it’s actually . . . her name is Ellen Pompeo. She is a Hollywood actor, an American actor, Mr. Speaker.

So now what we see is a true plan, a patients-first initiative, compared to the opposition that is taking their health care plan from an American actor.

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

Aleana Young: — Mr. Speaker, I love question period as much as the next member, but frankly that was humiliating. Let’s stick to the facts, Mr. Speaker. I’m not sure what the Premier’s going on about Grey’s Anatomy, but what we’re talking about is a $136 million power bill hike that this government is putting on families, farms, and small businesses in Saskatchewan.

So some facts for the Premier. We have the third-highest power rates in the country, Mr. Speaker. People are well aware of that. People who are speaking out against this power bill hike include the CFIB [Canadian Federation of Independent Business], SARM [Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities], APAS, chambers of commerce, the 20 biggest industries in Saskatchewan, the government’s own appointed rate review panel, let alone the 99 per cent of people who made submissions to the rate review panel. And those who support this power bill hike, clearly it’s the Premier and that minister over there, because we can’t find a single other person.

Mr. Speaker, people are begging them to stop. If the Premier is really listening, will he do what Saskatchewan people are asking him and scrap this rate hike today?

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

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Another example of why nobody takes the NDP seriously. They finally, finally got around to releasing a plan, the centrepiece of which was putting the carbon tax back on SaskPower bills, Mr. Speaker. Literally the centrepiece of their plan, including the other centrepiece: shutting down one-third of our existing power generation and replacing it with wind and solar.

We know this is not going to work. In fact we know that this is a recipe for disaster, because it has been tried in countries in Europe and elsewhere, who are now rebuilding their coal power plants. Because energy security actually matters, Mr. Speaker.

That’s what this government is focused on. Energy security, reliability, affordability, making sure the lights come on when you flip the switch, making sure you have power for new investments coming into this province. All of those things are working here in this province under this government, and they wouldn’t be under them.

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

Aleana Young: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Clearly not a single part of that was accurate. But let’s talk about getting your story straight, Mr. Speaker. Because in terms of credibility, in terms of the importance of being straight with the people of Saskatchewan, I point out just in case anyone missed it: just last week the Minister of the Environment confirmed in the Committee on the Economy that her government, the Sask Party government, is actively negotiating to bring the carbon tax back onto industries and SaskPower. So they need to get their story straight around their own cabinet table, Mr. Speaker.

I hear daily from people in Saskatchewan who are worried about how they’re going to keep the lights on. Last week our team was very proud to introduce the Grid and Growth plan. This is an ambitious plan, Mr. Speaker. It’s going to lower costs for families, farms, and businesses. It prioritizes affordability. It lowers risk, reduces emissions, and generates more than $33 billion of economic activity. And yes, Mr. Speaker, it’s grounded in natural gas, renewables, nuclear, self-gen, community power — all great opportunities for people, businesses, and communities across this province.

So my question to the Premier: will you stand and support our plan today?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of CIC.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well I can tell you, Mr. Speaker, we are not going to be supporting any plan to put the carbon tax back on SaskPower bills, which is the centrepiece of their plan.

We have a plan that will provide energy security for this province as we move to nuclear power generation, which was hardly mentioned in their plan, by the way, at all. All their plan would do, and the centrepiece of their plan, is to shut down one-third of our power generation in this province, Mr. Speaker, replace it with wind and solar, which we know is a recipe for disaster.

In addition to that, interesting in their plan, they have not added one single megawatt of generation out to 2050. Which means there is going to be no growth, Mr. Speaker, no opportunity for new investments, no opportunities for new mines, no opportunities for new potash, no opportunities for new uranium. All of those things are happening because we have a real plan and they don’t.

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

Aleana Young: — Not quite, Mr. Speaker, but it’s coming soon. It’s clear, it’s clear, Mr. Speaker, there wasn’t a single real thing that that minister could grab on to to criticize, because everything he said is just nonsense. And people in Saskatchewan can check it out for themselves at gridandgrowth.ca. Because all we hear from this government is more politics. And that means more pain as a result of sky-high electricity prices.

[14:15]

This government’s plan is going to double rates, conservatively. It’s going to add $35 billion of debt to SaskPower. The costs of this Premier and that minister’s plan have already tripled, and there is no end in sight. The minister has already admitted that he made his decisions, he wrote out his plan on the back of a napkin without thinking about affordability.

Why, why does the Premier of Saskatchewan continue to stand behind this minister and double down on a plan that is going to double people’s power bills?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of CIC. And I would ask that we hear the minister out on his response.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well thank you, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. We know exactly what their plan is because they committed to shutting down one-third of our power generation and replacing it with wind and solar — which we know will not work — in the blind pursuit of a left wing, green, ideological agenda, Mr. Speaker.

This is a recipe for catastrophe. It has been tried elsewhere, and countries around the world are right now refurbishing, extending the lives of their existing coal-generation assets because energy security actually matters, Mr. Speaker. Those countries have found out the hard way that energy security actually matters.

What they would do is make us entirely dependent on outside sources, Mr. Speaker. For power, they would shut down one-third of our existing generation. They’d put 1,400 people out of work, they’d devastate two communities, and they would make it impossible for us to attract new investment, which we’re doing at record levels.

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

Jobs for Health Care Workers in Saskatoon

Betty Nippi-Albright: — Now let’s talk about some real facts. Mr. Speaker, 126 critically needed health care workers were laid off last week as a result of the Prairie Harm Reduction closure. We need more people working in Saskatchewan health care, not less. There are 389 health care jobs currently vacant in Saskatoon.

How many of these laid-off workers have been rehired as of today?

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We on this side of the House, we value health care careers, and we value our health care workers. And I encourage these workers that she’s talking about to apply at the SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority] for a job or even a community-based organization. There are openings, as she just noted, Mr. Speaker.

Health care is a rewarding career, contrary to what the member from Elphinstone-Centre opposite says, who quotes negativity to turn people away from working in health care. Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we will always encourage people to pursue and remain working in health care in Saskatchewan.

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

Betty Nippi-Albright: — Mr. Speaker, let’s be clear: the crisis on Saskatoon’s streets was already horrific before Prairie Harm Reduction was closed and 126 health care workers lost their jobs. Nearly a person per day died as a result of drug overdose or poisoning last year. We have the longest waits for mental health treatment in Canada, and there are nearly 2,000 people without a home in Saskatoon alone.

Why is the Premier letting 126 health care — critical health care — workers sit on the sidelines when they could be helping right here and right now to save lives?

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I mentioned in my last answer, there are several job openings, and the member opposite actually said there are several job openings in the SHA. So I encourage all of those people to take the time and apply for one of those positions because there is a job out there for them, Mr. Speaker.

But what we’re doing on this side of the House is, we’re focusing on recovery. We’re focusing on recovery for individuals who are struggling with substance abuse, Mr. Speaker. We are adding 500 additional treatment spaces across this province. That doubles the capacity that we have. We’re already at 312 of those 500 beds, and we anticipate filling the rest of those spaces by the end of this fiscal year, Mr. Speaker. And I’m encouraged by that because that will help individuals get into a life of recovery.

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

Provision of Social Services

Erika Ritchie: — Mr. Speaker, today we are joined by Rae Seidel, a former child-and-caregiver support worker within the Ministry of Social Services. Rae joins us today to share her serious concerns of underfunding, understaffing, and under-resourcing thanks to this Sask Party government. Rae reports caseworkers in her division manage an estimated 80 cases when they were supposed to manage an average of 20.

Why is the Minister of Social Services failing to properly staff these departments and provide them with the necessary tools to do their jobs sustainably?

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

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. And to Rae, welcome to your Legislative Assembly this afternoon. This is a government that truly does value the work that each and every member of our public service, regardless of which ministry it is, but in particular with the Ministry of Social Services and the social workers that we have working, whether that’s in income assistance, whether that’s in child and family programs, or in disabilities, Mr. Speaker. There is a lot of work that is being done in this province, and we value that.

And if Rae would like to, I would be more than happy to meet with Rae following proceedings this afternoon and learn a little bit more about what she’s saying. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Erika Ritchie: — Mr. Speaker, contrary to what the minister just said, he is setting up his staff and those in need of support to fail and leaving them to suffer tremendous moral distress and injury. A direct quote from Rae: “Between the understaffing and the lack of available resources, access to children’s addiction, mental health, education, and behavioural interventions is severely delayed, never achieved, or never even pursued.” And this has tragic consequences for the most vulnerable young people in the ministry’s care, Mr. Speaker, and they deserve so much better.

When will this minister deliver the proper resources to the Ministry of Social Services to look after vulnerable children and their caregivers?

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

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And again I just want to say thank you to the front-line workers that we have within our ministry and the incredible work that they do, Mr. Speaker.

The ’26‑27 budget, the one that was on the floor of this Assembly just a couple of weeks ago: a $1.8 million additional investment that will help keep families together, Mr. Speaker. And that supports youth at risk. When it comes to our kids, this is a government that takes the safety and the support of children in this province extremely seriously.

And when it comes to staffing, like I said previously, I would be more than happy to meet with Rae following the proceedings today to learn a little bit more about what she has seen on the front line. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Gas Prices

Trent Wotherspoon: — Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz this morning and suggested that gas prices could remain sky-high right through November’s mid-term elections in America. Gas prices in Saskatoon today were $1.72 a litre; a buck sixty-eight here in Regina; up over 2.40 in through the North. While people, families, and farms are paying these sky-high prices at the pumps, that government is raking in significant additional revenues as a result of this conflict.

Why isn’t that Premier stepping up and cutting his 15‑cent-a-litre gas tax to give people a well-deserved break?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Jim Reiter: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. That opposition critic, Finance critic, is the same critic who stood up not very many days ago and said we’re spending too much money, we shouldn’t be running a deficit. Now they want to cut taxes. All over the place, Mr. Speaker. That’s why nobody takes the NDP seriously.

Mr. Speaker, that 15 cents a litre — it’s not proportion, it’s not a percentage, it’s a flat 15 cents. Every penny of that plus more goes to the highways budget.

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

Investigation into Conduct of Marshal

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Information and Privacy Commissioner agrees that documents were improperly withheld and that the public has the right to transparency.

To quote the commissioner: “The public interest in this matter is considerable.” She went on: “The public has a right to know and debate the outcome of allegations involving a marshal who was appointed to act in the public trust when allegations arise otherwise.”

Mr. Speaker, it was 290 pages redacted and 93 pages withheld entirely. And this goes beyond transparency and accountability of government. This speaks to the heart, the credibility of every man and woman in a marshal’s uniform and, dare I say, the credibility of the minister.

What on earth did that marshal do? Will the minister comply with the recommendation to make the records public?

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

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The opposition NDP continues to disrespect the hard-working public servants in Saskatchewan by suggesting that the Saskatchewan Marshals Service and its officers belong to this minister. This demonstrates the opposition’s complete lack of understanding on community safety issues.

Mr. Speaker, the question asked by the member opposite does tell us and the citizens of Saskatchewan something. It tells us that if — and that’s a big “if” — if the NDP were to form government, they would override and intervene in decisions made by expert police, firefighters, and emergency service responders. They would override years of experience and years of time on the front lines keeping us safe, Mr. Speaker. This is why we’ll never let that “if” happen. And this is why nobody can take the opposition seriously.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Athabasca.

Review of Government Response to Wildfires in the North

Leroy Laliberte: — Mr. Speaker, that Minister and this government continue to disrespect the people of the North. Last summer the Sask Party failed the North. People lost their homes, lost their livelihoods. Entire communities went up in flames because of their slow response, and then they refused to hold a public inquiry.

The MNP report into the government’s wildfire response should’ve come out in February. It’s nowhere to be seen, Mr. Speaker. Either it’s incomplete or the government is withholding the account of their failures.

My question to the minister: where is the MNP wildfire report?

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

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency commissioned MNP to lead an independent review into the 2025 wildfire season. This is the first of its kind in the province. Similar reports conducted by third-party providers in other jurisdictions have taken years, Mr. Speaker.

The SPSA [Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency] appreciates the extensive work being done by MNP. And the SPSA is confident that this extra time provided to MNP will result in a report and recommendations that are reflective of the voices heard from Saskatchewan communities and residents.

Mr. Speaker, this extension has not prevented the SPSA from making improvements during this off-season. The SPSA has performed its own internal review and made many improvements including to its evacuation policies and procedures. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — Why is the Government Leader on his feet?

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Point of order, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — What’s your point of order?

POINT OF ORDER

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, during question period the member from Saskatoon Silverspring expressly called into question the integrity of the brave men and women who serve for the Saskatchewan Marshals Service as well as the minister responsible. It is clearly unparliamentary language contrary to rule 51(f). I would ask that you ask that member to withdraw his comment and apologize.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Opposition House Leader.

Nicole Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I was paying very close attention to the member’s question. It was very clear in the way that he outlined his question that his concerns are about the actions of the minister and the level of the quality of that minister’s work.

I’d ask that you take a very close look at the record, find that the member opposite’s point of order is not well taken.

Speaker Goudy: — Yeah. I have to say I was listening, but I would in this case like to listen very carefully to how the question was asked. And I will get back to us tomorrow with a ruling on that. Thank you.

[14:30]

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Additional Saskatchewan Communities Eligible for Health Care Recruitment Incentives

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. This morning at the SUMA convention I was pleased to announce some good news about our government’s efforts to recruit health care workers to our province.

Mr. Speaker, an additional nine communities announced today will benefit from Saskatchewan’s rural and remote recruitment incentive, which now extends eligibility to a total of 82 communities. The Saskatchewan communities where the incentive is being extended include Beauval, Buffalo Narrows, Carlyle, Creighton, Craik, Davidson, Ituna, Montmartre, and Macklin.

And I just want to take a minute to thank the MLAs [Member of the Legislative Assembly] across the province in these respective constituencies for their advocacy — especially members of the government caucus — thank them for raising these issues to myself, Mr. Speaker.

And I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the local municipal leaders as well. Several of them joined us at the SUMA convention this morning: Rick from Beauval; Jennifer from Carlyle; Bruce Fidler from Creighton, who many of us know well; Mark from Craik; and Keith from Davidson. We appreciate the advocacy for the members of their communities.

The incentive is up to $50,000 for a three-year return-in-service and is offered to new, permanent, full-time employees in nine high-priority health occupations in rural and northern communities experiencing or at risk of service disruptions due to staffing challenges. An investment of $8.7 million as part of our 2026‑2027 budget enables us to maintain and expand the program to support new communities.

Mr. Speaker, strengthening our health care workforce is the foundation of our government’s commitment to putting patients first. And offering incentives to fill high-priority health care positions has successfully attracted health care workers such as nurses, lab diagnostics, and other professionals to both rural and northern communities all across the province.

Now since this incentive started in 2022, more than 530 hard-to-recruit positions have been filled with full-time people as a direct result of this incentive program. This is key to stabilizing health care services in rural and northern Saskatchewan. Participating communities have reported a reduced reliance on contract staff, the reopening of acute care beds that were previously closed, fewer emergency room disruptions, and expanded bed capacity.

This incentive program — which again is part of the most ambitious health human resources action plan right across the country, Mr. Speaker — this incentive will help ensure that patients receive the right care at the right time and as close to home as possible.

Mr. Speaker, I’ll speak for every member on this side of the aisle. We look forward to welcoming more health care workers to rural and northern communities here in Saskatchewan. Thank you.

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

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I want to start off by thanking the minister for providing me with a copy of his remarks in advance. That was kind of him.

You know, on the face of it, adding nine communities to the Saskatchewan rural and remote recruitment incentive is a positive thing. But you know, we continue to hear all the time from people all throughout rural Saskatchewan that the government’s plan is simply not working. We hear all the time that the government is out of touch and simply is not listening to local voices in rural Saskatchewan.

I hope this incentive helps the nine communities in question, but let’s look at the 70‑some communities that are already served by this incentive. And I’ll just read a partial list into the record here: Arcola, Biggar, Broadview, Gravelbourg, Herbert, Kamsack, Kipling, Lanigan, Leader, Melville, Outlook, Rosetown, Turtleford, Watrous, Wolseley. Now what do all of these communities have in common, Mr. Speaker? They’ve all been rocked by a series of very, very chaotic and disruptive closures and disruptions to service in their hospitals.

And so I hope that something is somehow going to be different now that it’s extended to these new communities. But you know, there’s not a lot of faith there that this plan’s going to work when it hasn’t been working for the last number of years. Mr. Speaker, the people of Saskatchewan and the people of these 70 communities that are served by this deserve better than continuous closures.

You know, we on this side of the House talk all the time about the need for a retention and recruitment strategy in health care. We do. But you know, there’s one simple thing that this government could do to help retain and recruit health care workers, one simple thing: negotiate and sign a collective agreement with your employees. Many workers haven’t gotten a raise in three years. And then you wonder why someone leaves their job and goes to another province.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I’m happy to conclude my remarks.

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

MOTION UNDER RULE 61

Call to Adopt Plan for Power Generation

Aleana Young: — Before orders of the day, I seek leave to move a motion under rule 61.

Speaker Goudy: — Will the member briefly state the purpose of the motion and read the text of the motion.

Aleana Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. This is an important motion I hope we can all be united on regarding our province’s energy future. If leave is granted, I would move the following motion:

That the Assembly calls on the government to adopt the Grid and Growth plan for power generation proposed by the official opposition.

Speaker Goudy: — The member for Regina South Albert has requested leave to move without notice a motion of urgent and pressing necessity under rule 61. 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 Regina Douglas Park.

Nicole Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to rise today and enter into the debate on Bill No. 38. Now I’m not going to say the title of the bill. It’s already been said, Mr. Speaker, by multiple people. But we’ve been calling it what is probably its more apt name, which is the building schools slower Act, Mr. Speaker, which is a much better tag line for this government for members opposite.

Mr. Speaker, we’ve seen especially this year in particular a number of projects, very important projects having their timelines essentially stretched out to infinity possibly because they’re not providing any details in terms of when these projects are going to happen, when they will be completed, while more and more students we’re seeing come into these locations and graduating.

I think the east end of Regina in particular is one example. I mean, this government had no problem going to cameras and cutting ribbons just before the election in the hopes that they could keep their seats in the city by making announcements, big, prominent announcements about the building of schools in that end of the city. And where do we see it now, midway through this term, Mr. Speaker? Well it doesn’t seem like the project is going to happen anymore. It’s funny how quickly government is willing to move from in front of the camera to cutting budgets a few years later, Mr. Speaker.

So it’s hard for us to take the title of this bill very seriously, Mr. Speaker, when we hear from parents and students throughout this province who are continually frustrated with this government. I would be happy to talk about some of the schools in my riding that have been desperately waiting for reconstruction, for rebuilds, for upgrades.

Balfour high school in particular is one that comes to my mind on College Avenue of Regina. Very great school, incredible population of students, a growing population of students, and that building has been crumbling for years, Mr. Speaker. Yet this government doesn’t seem to have any interest in putting forward the steps necessary to provide those students with a building that is, number one, safe and healthy for them to be able to be in, Mr. Speaker. The teachers there do such incredible work and they work so hard with such an incredible group of students.

That’s just one example of a school that’s in desperate need of maintenance, attention. The east end of Regina’s another one that’s in desperate need of a new school. That’s been growing exponentially, yet we see this government, after making announcements, all of a sudden slow down the building schools, Mr. Speaker.

So going to the content of the bill again is frustrating because when we hear from stakeholders — those who are actually on the front lines in terms of school boards, those who are navigating this very important piece of our province, the future of our students, their education, their health and well-being and safety, Mr. Speaker — we hear from them about concerns about a lack of consultation and a lack of true partnership with this provincial government.

I know I have many other colleagues who are very excited to enter into the debate on this piece of legislation. At this point in time I’m prepared now to 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 Regina Douglas Park.

Nicole Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to rise today and enter into the debate on Bill No. 39. Now I’ve given most of my remarks already on this piece of legislation, on the meat-and-potatoes — frankly — bill, Bill No. 38, just a few minutes ago. So I don’t have much more to add on Bill 39. So with that in mind, I’m prepared now to 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. 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 Fairview.

Vicki Mowat: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure to enter into debate on Bill No. 41, The Heritage Recognition (From Many Peoples, Strength) Act. It may be shocking to folks who follow legislation very closely, but we don’t often get approached about pieces of legislation that are before the House as members sitting in the Assembly. There often isn’t a huge amount of public engagement with some of this stuff. But this is a piece of legislation that I’ve had a lot of engagement with my constituents on, Mr. Speaker, and it’s one that’s quite important to folks. So I want to share a couple of thoughts on it.

Its intent is to proclaim any heritage day, week, or month that the minister decides to proclaim. I think we’re going to be watching really closely to see what this framework looks like. It’s our understanding, based on the minister’s comments, that there will be a framework in place, that the prioritized stakeholders have been folks who have previously requested these types of proclamations.

It’s also certainly encouraging to see that other pieces of legislation haven’t been repealed, such as The Sikh Heritage Month Act that I know several members of the community and my good colleagues on this side of the House were proponents of. Such an important way of bringing the community together, Mr. Speaker.

I think these are important symbols, but they mean much more to people than just being a token or a symbol. Our diversity is what makes us stronger as a province, and it’s so critical that we engage in these celebrations of different cultures that make us who we are as a province, that we actively fight against hate and discrimination.

And I know that there are still so many folks that face discrimination, both at the individual level and systemic racism, throughout our province. These are systems we need to be fighting in addition to promoting cultural symbols as well, promoting inclusion, and promoting acceptance. So it’s good to see the symbolic side of it.

We also need to see meaningful action take place in so many different areas when it comes to welcoming new Canadians to our province. As an MLA for Saskatoon Fairview, I represent one of the most diverse ridings in the province, and it has been incredibly rich to be invited out to Eid celebrations, Filipino street festivals, Bangladeshi International Mother Language days — things that are so critical for the promotion of culture.

And I know that there are some distinct challenges and barriers that members of these communities face as well. So we need to make sure that those are meaningful conversations, that there’s meaningful access to education, access to the economy, access to health care, that there’s recognition of credentials, that the story folks are told about what their life in Canada is going to be like matches what their life in Canada is going to be like.

[14:45]

So we have a lot more work to do. We’ll be watching how this framework plays out. I’ve already had folks asking me how they can get proclaimed under this new Act, and I have to tell them that the bill is still in front of the Legislative Assembly. But those are the types of questions that are happening.

I would encourage the minister to continue to engage with the stakeholders, particularly folks who were brought here when the bill was introduced, to inform them about what the process looks like here. Because I find that we’re doing a lot of that work. So I encourage the minister to have those engagements as well, as well as to provide some timelines and examples of what that framework is going to look like, Mr. Speaker.

I think that’s all I’ll leave it at today. But with that, I would move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 41.

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 Mount Royal.

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure to enter in briefly here today to speak about Saskatchewan’s municipalities and the piece of legislation that this government has brought forward, Bill No. 43, the modernization — what have they called it here? — The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act, Mr. Speaker.

You know, really there’s a fair amount to this bill, Mr. Speaker, and there’s a lot of detail to it. And really where we’re going to continue to work is with those that are elected on the ground — leading communities, municipalities, villages, towns and cities, and rural municipalities right across this province, Mr. Speaker. In fact it’s a pleasure to have them all gathered in Regina here this week with respect to the SUMA convention, Mr. Speaker. I had the pleasure of gathering and discussing these matters, various matters, with elected councillors and municipalities this morning while over there. I’ll be headed back there very soon. I want to thank all of them for their leadership on the ground.

Now this legislation, we’ll really have to dig into it, Mr. Speaker, because often this is a government that doesn’t listen to those that are impacted, Mr. Speaker. We certainly know that to be the case when it comes to our municipalities across this province, Mr. Speaker. And you know, I think that the people of this province and the municipalities of this province would be more excited about a bill that might be titled, you know, a government stopping the offloading onto municipalities, Mr. Speaker, sticking them with the costs.

We look at this record of this government, Mr. Speaker, and they haven’t been a good partner to municipalities across this province. And you’ve got those communities all across this province and those elected leaders that on the front lines of growth, on the front lines of making those decisions around services, Mr. Speaker, and then left in a really difficult fiscal position, Mr. Speaker.

This is a government that, if you can imagine, went and ripped up those contracts, grants in lieu, Mr. Speaker, that took back millions of dollars from municipalities. And these are contracts, Mr. Speaker. This wasn’t just some program. These were contracts. These were dollars that those municipalities were owed that were unilaterally ripped up by that government, Mr. Speaker.

This is the same government that stuck those municipalities with a PST [provincial sales tax] on their construction projects, Mr. Speaker. If you can imagine, as municipalities across this province have to go out and make the improvements to infrastructure and the investments that their residents count on, this is a government who has stuck the PST on top of those bills, driving up the costs, driving up the property taxes, causing municipalities to have to borrow money to just even pay the PST back to the provincial government, Mr. Speaker, allowing those hard-earned dollars at the local level to go less far. It doesn’t make any sense, Mr. Speaker.

And of course on front after front, we see a government here that’s failing on so many fronts and then sticking municipalities with the costs, offloading those costs to municipalities, Mr. Speaker. So you know, that’s what I hear when I chat with municipalities across the province. You know, I hear things like, this is a government that needs to step up in a much better way or in an actual way to support fire services across this province and the needed equipment, Mr. Speaker, that’s going to keep firefighters safe and keep communities safe as well. These are the kind of things I hear, Mr. Speaker.

What we see here too it would seem, is maybe a centralization of power into the Premier’s office in a larger way, taking that away from the elected municipalities across this province. We think those decisions are best with the elected representatives, the elected leaders across municipalities of our province, rural and urban, Mr. Speaker.

And we know we need to make sure that they have a strong partner in government, not a government that hurts their financial position, that offloads those costs, that drives up those costs, Mr. Speaker, and that fails to listen and work with them on some of the most important issues.

With that being said, I would move to adjourn Bill No. 43, move that we 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. 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 Saskatoon Fairview.

Vicki Mowat: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Proud to enter into debate on Bill No. 47, The Response to Illicit Drugs Act. Of course I think everyone in this Assembly has had some exposure to this issue. But we know that the drug crisis in our province is out of control and we’re losing hundreds of people in our province every single year to drug overdoses and drug toxicity deaths, Mr. Speaker.

In my home community of Saskatoon this has become a very prevalent issue over the past decade or so, really increasing in public awareness as so many folks are hit by the crisis. And it doesn’t discriminate based on, you know . . . Everyone can know someone who has struggled with addictions, Mr. Speaker.

There is a responsibility of this government to provide access to health care services. It’s incredibly disappointing to see this government cutting health care services where they should be investing in mental health and addiction services, Mr. Speaker. And it speaks to a government that’s not following the evidence and not following evidence-based practice when it comes to how we help people get through these crises.

One of the things that I advocated for quite persistently when I was the shadow minister for Health and Mental Health and Addictions was for the availability of intranasal naloxone. The evidence is there that naloxone saves lives. Intranasal naloxone is not giving someone a needle but instead a nasal spray. The fact that this government has not taken the opportunity to provide access to people across the province is incredibly disappointing, Mr. Speaker.

126 job losses at PHR [Prairie Harm Reduction] this week, Mr. Speaker, folks who were providing a ton of different services. There’s a lot of misunderstanding around actually what services are available, what services are funded by the government, and there is a huge amount of concern in my home community of Saskatoon about what this is going to mean for folks who are living on the streets.

And we know that there’s been a huge increase in homelessness under this government as well. Four times in the last three years, Mr. Speaker, of folks that are desperate for care in our city. Downloading of responsibility onto the municipality that simply does not have the resources — nor is it their responsibility to provide all of those services, Mr. Speaker. That responsibility falls with this government here, on their shoulders, and it seems that that’s being neglected.

There are a ton of different barriers to addictions treatments. It’s fine to say that we’ll get someone treatment when they’re ready, Mr. Speaker, but so often those spaces are not available. The gaps between even getting into detox in the first place, the gaps between detox and residential treatment facilities, we’re talking about weeks. The minister has not been forthright with a lot of those lists as we’ve asked for them in the legislature, Mr. Speaker. But when you have folks that are waiting nearly a year for treatment, that’s not a viable solution, Mr. Speaker. We can and should be doing so much better for some of our most vulnerable people in this province.

I think I’ll leave it at that for today, Mr. Speaker. I know that a lot of my colleagues want to weigh in on this legislation as well. We’ll be taking a really close look at some of the details here. But with that, I would move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 47 for today.

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 Churchill-Wildwood.

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m happy to be able to rise today to talk about this bill and the government’s overall plans around crime and the addictions crisis. But, Mr. Speaker, I’m going to do this through a very personal lens on my behalf and on the behalf of some of my colleagues on this side of the Chamber.

Mr. Speaker, my heart has been bruised and wounded by the drug crisis, and I’m not the only one on this side of the Chamber. I’m going to try and keep my composure while I give this address, and I would accept your guidance as I try to talk about and say what I feel like I have to say and use parliamentary language at the same time, Mr. Speaker. I’m going to try and be the spokesperson, so to speak, for something that is a little bit more raw and personal for some other members of the Legislative Chamber, Mr. Speaker.

The addiction crisis that’s gripping Saskatchewan has had its tendrils reach out and touch countless families. There is the part of that crisis that we see spill out into our streets — tent cities, shopping carts, and pain laid so visibly bare to see. But like a rot or a fungus, it is spread out, sometimes hidden from view. Its dark hand touches family after family, Mr. Speaker.

I’m very much in favour of the concept of forced treatment or detox for the small minority of people that have lost their capacity to make decisions on their own behalf. Like the sister Bill 47, we have some really profound questions about how the government is going to roll out Bill 47 and Bill 48, and profound, profound concerns about how the government is going to manage forced treatment and involuntary treatment simultaneously. But the concept of the bill is something that I support.

To explain, I want to go back to a cold winter morning five years ago. I’d heard a report on the radio that there’d been another murder overnight in Saskatoon. Shortly after, I received a message from a young person that I knew. They said that they thought that our foster son was the person who had been murdered. The message sort of froze me in place. I tried to process what it meant.

My car was parked at the time, and I quickly looked at the Saskatoon Police Service’s media web page, and a report that morning indicated that somebody matching our son’s demographics had been murdered and that it had occurred on a street that our son was known to frequent.

This was not the first time that I thought he had died. There had been others. And up to that point, we lived in what I would call a state of anticipatory grief, Mr. Speaker. I’d known so many young people that had died from drugs and violence that fuelled it, and many of them had been peers of my foster son. So we sort of assumed, knew that one day his number might come up.

He was living an extremely high-risk lifestyle at the time. He was actively doing drugs and doing things that were morally wrong, Mr. Speaker. It’s difficult for a parent to watch your child struggle, to drown in a sea of addictions. It is difficult to wait for the call, a call when somebody is potentially telling you that your child has died.

Mr. Speaker, there’s another grief that runs parallel to that and runs deeper and extends into a more painful part of your soul. It is the grief from seeing your child become something other than a victim, seeing the being that you tried to fill up with good deeds and love become something that others fear. Is it more painful to have your child die or to see the goodness in them drown? For me, calling the police on my foster son was a horrible experience, something that I did more times than I care to count as his conduct spiralled out of control.

[15:00]

When my foster son started using meth, within a week or two his personality changed. He’d long struggled, Mr. Speaker, but he’d always greeted each day, each friend, each family member with a ready smile, a wise remark, and kindness. Meth robbed him of the best part of himself, and in my opinion, his free will. His words, his wit, and even his voice were replaced by something that I barely recognized.

You know, meth does a lot of things to someone’s body. One of the strange things is it decreases the production of saliva in your mouth. And for many people it not only alters their personality but also their voice. When I would hear him on the phone, I could tell through his deeds, his words, and his very voice that he was beyond our reach.

As a teacher I had worked with a lot of young people that had addiction problems. And I understood, even before the disastrous budget of 2017, that the systems of addictions and mental health and corrections, and the mental health warrant system, weren’t ready for meth and the problems that it would bring to this province.

As our foster son became more and more caught up in addictions, he would occasionally get arrested, sometimes as a result of us reporting him. And after about 10 days in jail, I could hear through the phone his voice and his free will return to him. I was talking to him again and not the poisonous drugs. Mr. Speaker, in extreme cases we need to create the legal framework to secure someone while they detox so individuals again are able to make choices for themselves. Me as an MLA and dad have serious, serious questions about how this government is going to roll this out. But the concept? I agree with it.

So there’s two other things I want to talk about with regards to Bill 47 and 48 and the wider drug crisis. First, this government’s failure to address the crisis because they fundamentally do not understand the size of the crisis nor what’s driving the crisis, and as a result, sadly their plans are doomed to fail. And secondly, the degree to which this government has personalized the attacks on individual NDP MLAs in order to distract from a failure of policy instead of having thoughtful debate on policy and real, thoughtful action.

I can and do support the principle encapsulated in this bill for the small minority of people that have lost the capacity to make decisions on their own behalf. But I need to state that the government has actively, at every single turn, made this crisis worse, going back to the budget of 2017 and the corresponding changes that were made to how social assistance was paid. These were the worst ideas at the worst imaginable time, Mr. Speaker. This government still fails to even understand the most basic level of the scope and scale of the problem that we’re facing. And as a result, sadly the things are going to continue to get worse, Mr. Speaker.

First of all I want to talk about the scope of the problem. The scale of the treatment services that we have bear no connection to the actual need that we have. I mentioned in adjourned debates on Bill 47, I was once in provincial court — not for myself, Mr. Speaker — and I saw someone charged with the possession of 20 kilos of methamphetamine. And so you understand, that is 200,000 doses of meth. Based upon normal usage patterns, that would indicate that one drug dealer was selling drugs to 2,000 people in the Saskatoon area — 2,000 people.

Until we have the number of beds in place and the tools that police officers need to enforce the laws, these problems are going to continue to grow. We have invited the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Social Services to come to Saskatoon to visit the library, to tour our inner city. And we’re not doing this to be cheeky. Like we actually want them to understand what the problem is so that there’s a hope that they could actually fix it.

You know, I don’t think the government understands the nature of the crisis either. Meth is a drug that makes people feel powerful and important. It’s incredibly cheap. And these factors, combined with the deep and grinding poverty that we have in places in Saskatchewan, have become powerfully linked to each other, Mr. Speaker. Meth and poverty were like a spark in a tinder-dry forest.

Meth also affects many people within some extended families. We do not have the same drug problem as BC [British Columbia]. A BC solution will not work here. There’s no equivalent to methadone for meth. Meth addicts do not experience physical withdrawal symptoms when they stop using. The addiction is more complicated than that, and as a result recovery is longer and more complicated sometimes than opioids. Sending one member of a household away for treatment does not work. Short treatment does not work. Virtual treatment does not work. Treatment that does not address the deep and grinding poverty does not work. And not paying rent directly to landlords does not work.

How many years have we been doing this? It obviously doesn’t work if they continue to do that. All of these things will not lead to an improvement in the current situation. You know, it’s so frustrating to watch the government make things worse over and over again. More dead young people, more broken hearts, more wasted money, and more lost opportunities.

I want to say one additional thing about virtual drug and alcohol treatment. Bill 48 envisions detaining people for addiction treatment because presumably they can’t make the informed choice to go and stay in voluntary treatment. So how on earth does the government expect somebody who needs to be detained for treatment to be treated using FaceTime? This makes no sense at all, Mr. Speaker.

So the last thing I want to talk about with Bill 47 and 48 is again personal. It’s personal to me and it’s personal to some of the members on this side of the Legislative Chamber. We have heard ministers and members opposite say that we want to hand out crack pipes, that we like drugs and we’re opposed to enforcement of drug laws. Not only are these incorrect statements, Mr. Speaker; frankly they do not rise to the level of what people expect of their MLAs.

I want to be super clear. I know that the members opposite want to end the drug crisis, and I don’t believe I’ve ever questioned their motivation on this issue. And if I have, Mr. Speaker, I sincerely apologize for that. But I have and I will continue to challenge the outcome of their actions and the soundness of their plans as is my duty as a member of the opposition, my duty to my constituents, my duty to my foster son and members of the families of all the young people that I have taught that died.

I again want to say, it is not appropriate to suggest that members on this side of the House are handing out crack pipes, like drugs, or are against enforcements. These are inaccurate statements. They’re bad policy, they’re bad politics, and frankly they’re not parliamentary. The Minister of Mental Health and Addictions should be ashamed of the remarks that she made in regards to this.

When you accuse somebody of handing out a crack pipe, you don’t know if meth or crack took that person’s son or daughter from them. You don’t know that. And that’s why you shouldn’t say things like that. When you accuse somebody of being against enforcement of drugs, you don’t know if that person had to report their kid to the police or if they had to wait on hold for an hour to find out whether or not their son had been murdered. And that’s why we ought not to say those things.

Mr. Speaker, there is a famous Biblical challenge to us to rejoice with those who rejoice and to mourn with those who mourn. Mr. Speaker, the first half of that challenge can be quite difficult in the context of this Chamber, but certainly the second half should not. The dark hand of addictions has touched members of the families on this side of the Chamber. And when you accuse those whose hearts are wounded by addiction, we all fail the challenge to mourn with those who mourn, Mr. Speaker. When we say such things, we do the opposite. We rejoice and ridicule, and I would hope that the people of Saskatchewan could do better than that, Mr. Speaker.

So if you didn’t know, you know now. If there’s one thing I really, really want to say about this today, it’s that you’re free to continue to say these things if you wish. You’re free to continue to accuse us of wanting to hand out crack pipes or of liking drugs or being opposed to enforcement of drug laws. But just so you know, when you do that, it says more about you than it does about us.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move to adjourn debate.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 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 University.

Sally Housser: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I’d like to start by thanking my colleague for that incredibly personal, moving, and important analysis of the legislation before us here today. I think that is an excellent example of what we should be using our duties as elected officials and this legislature for, is serious analysis of the legislation that comes before us, Mr. Speaker.

But I am pleased to rise today on Bill No. 49, The Income Tax Amendment Act, Mr. Speaker. It makes some provisions to expand various different tax credits, as well as creating a new Saskatchewan chemical fertilizer incentive.

And one thing we’re very pleased to see is tax credits doubling for volunteer firefighters, volunteer medical first responders, volunteer search and rescue. I know a number of my colleagues met with volunteer firefighters today. We have such a tradition of volunteerism here in Saskatchewan, and I think too, to recognize the work that so many do to keep our communities safe is an excellent use of a tax credit program in that respect.

You know, the one issue we take . . . And obviously the government has talked about tax credits as their signature affordability measure, Mr. Speaker. And while we do need to see the expansion of it, as everything is becoming more and more expensive and people are falling further and further behind, the issue is that you see the benefit of those credits once a year, and over the course of the year we see rapid inflation.

We see incidents like what’s currently happening with Iran and the blockade or now double blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and what that’s doing to our gas prices. And you know, over the course of the year, if somebody is struggling to pay their bills and can’t pay their rent or can’t afford groceries or can’t afford to fill up their car, it’s very cold comfort to be told, well just wait until you file your taxes and you’ll get some extra cash then.

You know, we will continue to call for affordability measures that would impact people today in their pockets including removing the PST off groceries, suspending the 15‑cent-a-litre gas tax, PST on children’s clothes, and also cancelling the $136 million SaskPower rate hike. And with that, Mr. Speaker, I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 49.

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. 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.]

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

Sally Housser: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I got ahead of myself there. I’m just so excited to talk about Bill No. 50, The Financial Administration Amendment Act, 2026.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, this bill makes some regulatory changes, essentially that the Ministry of Finance can create and administer grant programs, that the Ministry of Finance employees are immune from civil litigation for actions carried out in good faith, and that grants and programs can be paid retroactively within the calendar year.

Of course, we on this side of the House support very strong, responsible, and efficient financial management, Mr. Speaker, but we will be talking to our stakeholders a lot about this. We’ve certainly seen the Sask Party government in the past have a history of trying to centralize things under the umbrella of the government, and usually that has not resulted in making it more efficient.

I guess what we want to consult with stakeholders on this issue, Mr. Speaker, as always with legislation, is this a solution looking for a problem? What was the impetus that brought this forward? What is this actually trying to solve that is currently not being solved? Or is this just another kind of power grab, an effort to consolidate more powers under the government?

You know, we do know that businesses right now . . . We do want people to be able to get grants efficiently and quickly. In addition to talking about, you know, individuals suffering with inflation and affordability crisis, businesses as well are suffering. And that $136 million power rate hike is hitting businesses and farms very significantly in addition to individuals. So business is struggling now with the cost of gas, with, you know, all rising costs in the supply chain. We certainly want, as grants are available, them to be able to apply and receive them efficiently.

[15:15]

But yes, Mr. Speaker, we’ll continue to consult with our stakeholders on this and make sure that this is actually addressing issues that people are finding problematic. And with that, I would move to adjourn on Bill No. 50.

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. 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.]

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

Vicki Mowat: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to be entering into debate again today, this time on Bill No. 51, The Corporation Capital Tax Amendment Act, 2026. Government indicates that this bill is largely a housekeeping bill to clean up outdated language, tax rates that are no longer in effect, and references to repealed Acts and standards. We’re taking a close look to make sure there are no unintended consequences with these changes, Mr. Speaker.

Unfortunately it’s a missed opportunity to do more for businesses around our province who are struggling under the strain of the current economic crisis. There are so much more they could be doing, including suspending the gas tax in light of geopolitical instabilities that are raising gas prices, Mr. Speaker.

The SaskPower rate hike is something I’ve heard from businesses in my constituency about, just the challenges that these cost pressures are having on their day-to-day businesses and the serious concerns that these businesses will have to close up shop.

Cost of living remains the number one issue that we’re discussing. And the government isn’t doing enough to address that concern, as we talked about today in question period as well, Mr. Speaker.

I know that my colleagues are going to have more to say on this bill, but with that, I would move to adjourn Bill No. 51 for today.

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. 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.]

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

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m happy to be on my feet today to join the debate on Bill No. 52, The Heritage Property Amendment Act, 2026. I’ll keep my comments fairly short. This bill, Mr. Speaker, seems to be very straightforward and to the point.

It moves to amend the current heritage property Act to add a non-refundable application fee for archaeological and paleontological investigation permits in the province. It’s my understanding, Mr. Speaker, a number of these projects occur in our province every year and have for some time. They serve to investigate, discover, and preserve our heritage here in this province, something I’m sure all the members in this Assembly would agree is a very important thing to safeguard.

However, Mr. Speaker, whether you call it a fee or a tax or what have you, when it comes down to it, this government once again seems to be reaching further and further into the pockets of people, businesses, and organizations that do this kind of work in this province.

This bill also doesn’t seem to specify the amount for that fee, so that definitely is a point of concern, particularly for groups and organizations and agencies that have engaged in this very important work in this province. Depending on how that fee is levied and how much it is, interested parties may actually go somewhere else for their investigations or suspend their operations in Saskatchewan outright. So it is absolutely imperative, Mr. Speaker, we continue to attract such ventures to this province.

And I know a number of my other colleagues would be willing to weigh in on this debate as it moves forward. So with that, I will move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 52.

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. 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.]

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

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. Again a pleasure to be on my feet with respect to The Saskatchewan Chemical Fertilizer Incentive Amendment Act, 2026. It’s a fairly short bill. Looks like it’s making some adjustments to the initial Act itself, providing for a deadline for eligible capital expenditures beyond five years from January of ’27 to January of 2032. The deadline for applying for an eligibility certificate is December 31st, 2034.

This is with respect, I believe, Mr. Speaker, to the suite of tax credits the government is affording our producers in this respect. There’s some changes with respect to the eligibility certificate, including ensuring that the taxation year is included when it’s issued. A certificate cannot be issued later than 2034. There’s some other minor housekeeping amendments to the Act.

You know, I think when it comes to how we apply taxation policy in this province — especially when it comes to individuals, but more importantly to businesses and industries — governments can get quite addicted to tax credits. They seem rather easy. They sound of course much bigger in real terms than they actually are because they’re only percentages of percentages.

What we would prefer to see I think, quite frankly, is a government that assists our producers in particular with inputs like power, ensuring they have adequate resources like access to water, and that they can count on those bills and those costs of doing business in this province to be much more acceptable. You know, we wish the government was also doing more to assist them: suspending the gas tax, for example, and being straightforward with them about the power rate hikes.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I’ll move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 53.

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. 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.]

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll enter in rather briefly here today with respect to The Correctional Services Amendment Act, 2026, Mr. Speaker. I know our shadow minister is doing the lead work in the consultation on this front, Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately far too often we’ve learned with this government, you just can’t count on them to do that consultation in good faith with the stakeholders that are directly impacted.

When it comes to crime, Mr. Speaker, we see the awful situation that so many communities face under this government: crime that’s a real concern, like a real shift that’s changed in this province, you know, over just a short number of years. A province that so often you could leave your bike unattended to or your door unlocked; well that’s just not the case these days, Mr. Speaker.

We see that as well of course in the result of that overcrowded correctional facilities and all sorts of concerns that come with that as well. Safety for the workers, Mr. Speaker, in those conditions are a real challenge.

But I’ll leave it to our shadow minister to lead the entry for our team on this front, Mr. Speaker. I know I’d invite any of the impacted stakeholders and all those with expertise to reach out and work directly with her.

And at this point in time I’d move to adjourn debate with respect to Bill No. 54, The Correctional Services Amendment Act, 2026.

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 Deputy Government House Leader.

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to facilitate the work of committees, I move that this House do now adjourn.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has moved that this House do now adjourn. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried. This House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 1:30.

[The Assembly adjourned at 15:24.]

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

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