Hon. Scott Moe: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to all colleagues for extending that leave. Earlier today, Mr. Speaker, we unveiled, on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan in honour of our veterans and those that are currently serving, the Hall of Valour in this very building, honouring the significant contributions of servicemen and women of our great province and nation, Mr. Speaker.

And it’s my honour to introduce a number of those delegates that have joined us here today for that unveiling, and seated, Mr. Speaker, I think all of them in your gallery. And I will endeavour to name as many as I have, and I apologize in advance for missing anyone that is up there today. And I thank you for your attendance as well, Mr. Speaker.

But in your gallery and presenting today is Retired Brigadier General with the Regina Rifles, Cliff Walker. Mr. Speaker, over his 35‑year military career and far beyond that, Brigadier General Walker has been devoted to advocating for improving the visibility of the sacrifices that have been made by Saskatchewan and Canadian servicemen and women across our nation and around the world. And I want to thank the brigadier general for his remarks this morning, for your crucial and important advocacy work that you do and for your years of service to our great country of Canada.

Mr. Speaker, also seated in your gallery are a number of current and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces, dedicated advocates for enhanced military recognition in Canada, and other provincial leaders. I would like to thank each of you as well for your ongoing efforts to serve and protect and strengthen our province and our nation. Thank you.

We have, Mr. Speaker, with us Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Barry, a member of the Order of Military Merit and a holder of the Canadian Forces’ Decoration, commanding officer of the Royal Regina Rifles. We have with us, Mr. Speaker, Corporal Jim Sinclair from the Royal Regina Rifles; Retired Major Brad Hrycyna, a former commanding officer of the Saskatchewan Dragoons, here from Moose Jaw. We have Dean Rae, former deputy chief of the Regina Police Service and chief executive officer of the commissionaires in Regina.

We have Chris Harris who spearheaded the Saskatchewan photography project and is a war memorial committee member. We have Kyleah Smandych, Mr. Speaker. She is the treasurer of the Saskatchewan war memorial committee. Retired Lieutenant Commander Ken McCaw, Retired Major Valerie Cade. We have Edward Lerat, or Dutch Lerat as many of us know him, Mr. Speaker. He’s a vice-chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations.

We have Tracy Desjarlais, the southern branch president of the Saskatchewan First Nations Veterans Association. We have Retired Colonel Randy Brooks and his wife, a 30‑year veteran, Sharon Brooks. Kelsey Lonie, Mr. Speaker, the executive director of the Royal United Services Institute of Regina, and Jocelyn Hutchinson, a friend to many of us in this Chamber and a member of the Saskatchewan Dragoons. Corporal Isho Shamo with the 38 Signal Regiment, and a ministerial assistant in the office of Minister of Public Safety.

I say, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a very grateful government and members on the floor of this Assembly, thank you to each of you for joining us today. Thank you for your service and for your dedication to the Canadian Armed Forces and our nation.

And I would ask that all members of this Assembly join with me in welcoming these very distinguished guests to this, their Legislative Assembly.

[Applause]

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

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is truly my honour today to rise to my feet to join with the Premier, the member from Lumsden-Morse as well, in recognizing all of these amazing individuals who have served our country and our province with such distinction. It truly was a wonderful ceremony to be able to take a part of this legislature and dedicate it to these fine folks and to all the people in uniform from Saskatchewan who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service of their country.

It truly was a sombre moment, but an important one. And I’m so glad and grateful for the words of the Premier, the member from Lumsden-Morse, the efforts the government has undertaken to have such a Hall of Valour for our men and women in uniform.

With that I’d also like to say it was pleasure and honour of mine to meet Brigadier General Walker, and it was so good to be joined by so many of our wonderful men and women in uniform. Corporal Sinclair, thank you for your service. Mr. Lerat, Lieutenant Colonel Barry, Ms. Desjarlais, Mr. Hrycyna, Mr. Rae, Mr. Harris, Ms. Smandych, Mr. McCaw, Ms. Cade, and Retired Colonel Randy Brooks, along with Jocelyn Hutchinson, and Corporal Isho Shamo.

Thank you once again on behalf of the official opposition. We are grateful for your service, and we are a better province for you having committed your life and duty to the service of this country. Thank you very much.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Lloydminster.

Colleen Young: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to take this opportunity to welcome three folks who have joined us here from the great city of Lloydminster. Someone that’s been here before and introduced but I welcome him once again is, from the great city of Lloydminster, Mayor Gerald Aalbers. Joining him are Teri-Lynn Mackie, the executive director of the Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce; and past president of our Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce, Donna Schellenberg, who have joined us.

I’m sure they were down here to provide their leadership and their input to the Food, Fuel, & Fertilizer conference that was on here in Regina because I know that their role is very important in ensuring the leadership in the economic development that happens in Lloydminster. And they’ll be joining me later for some meetings with some of our ministers to discuss some of the ongoing economic prosperity that we have in our great city as well as some challenges that we may be able to work together on.

So I’d like to ask all members to join me in welcoming these three folks to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Betty Nippi-Albright: — I request leave for an extended introduction.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Betty Nippi-Albright: — I’m just so honoured to have this opportunity to welcome — for the first time since I’ve been elected — a school group come all the way from Saskatoon, and that’s Saskatoon Westmount School. So wow, I was just ecstatic. I thought, oh was there a mistake? Nobody comes from Saskatoon to come see me from schools. So I just want to say, it is such a delight to see Westmount School.

There’s 22 students from Westmount that’s come here. They have their teachers. They’re accompanied by their teachers. And I do apologize if I really chop up your last names. So the teacher is Dani Girolami — oh, I did it — and also parent chaperones Tammy Girolami, Shannon De Bakker, Rick Girolami.

I just want to say it’s always wonderful to see young children, especially Indigenous people — Indigenous young folks that are here — to see themselves on this floor. There’s three of us First Nation MLAs [Member of the Legislative Assembly], and it’s wonderful that young people can come and see that they are represented in this House.

So I also want to say that back in 2020 I went to — online because of COVID — I went to a candidate’s forum that one of your classrooms were having. And they asked me, grilled me a bunch about why I was running and what my thoughts were, etc. So it’s wonderful to see the group come out here from Saskatoon Westmount School. And I also want to say that my grandson attended Westmount, and he finished grade 8. That’s a number of years ago.

But it’s such a delight, such an honour that you travelled from Saskatoon just to come to the legislature. And also I get to meet you today, so I’m looking forward to that. And after question period I’m delighted to sit down and chat with you.

And while I’m on my feet I also want to just say welcome to Vice-Chief Dutch Lerat and also Tracy Desjarlais. It’s always wonderful to have Indigenous representatives come to the legislature because sitting here as a First Nations person, and as the only lone First Nation female MLA in the province, it’s lonely. So it’s wonderful to see elected leaders and First Nation people come here so that it gives me strength, gives me courage to continue doing what I’m doing. So with that, I ask all to join me in welcoming these fine folks to their legislature.

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

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Seated in the west gallery this afternoon, I’m pleased to introduce two individuals who have joined us here today from the Autism Services of Saskatoon. With us are board Chair Mike Richards and CEO [chief executive officer] Julian Tomlinson, Mr. Speaker. I had the opportunity to meet with both Mike and Julian a couple of times, most recently this morning, and we had some great conversation about all the good work that Autism Services of Saskatoon provides.

Mr. Speaker, this is an organization that supports children, adults, and families impacted by autism for over 40 years. And they’re an incredibly valuable partner to the Ministry of Social Services as well as other ministries within government. Whether it’s providing supportive housing, recreational and therapeutic activities, or connections to employment, Mr. Speaker, Autism Services of Saskatoon is passionate about ensuring that families with autism can live full, inclusive, and supportive lives.

I’ve had the opportunity, like I said, Mr. Speaker, to meet with them several times before, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in this area. So with that, I’d like to invite all members of this Assembly to join me in welcoming Mike and Julian to this, their Legislative Assembly.

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

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to join with the member opposite in welcoming Mike Richards, the Chair of Autism Services of Saskatoon, and Julian Tomlinson, the CEO of Autism Services of Saskatoon, to their Legislative Assembly.

Autism Services of Saskatoon truly does incredible work, everything from early intervention and children’s services, youth and transitional services, adult services such as group homes and independent living, as well as testing — truly incredible work that is needed across the province.

They provide support for adults that are looking for employment or to support them in employment, because families are better able to participate in the workforce when supports are in place.

[13:45]

I look forward to attending their stacked pancake breakfast fundraiser this weekend in Saskatoon and indulging in many pancakes. I would like to invite all members of the Legislative Assembly to join me in welcoming Mike and Julian to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Barret Kropf: — Mr. Speaker, in your gallery I’ve got four individuals I’d like to quickly introduce to you from the Davidson Volunteer Fire Department. We’ve got Chief Cory Dean; the deputy chief, Logan Tennent; beside him Captain Jim Schmit and his wife, Allison.

And I’ve had the honour of touring them around the building a little bit this morning and going down for the special. We got them served the right kind of chicken for their special today, and so I appreciate that opportunity. And I’ll have a member’s statement as well coming up that will honour the efforts and the milestone of Captain Schmit. So I ask everyone to join me in welcoming them to their Legislative Building.

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

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I want to join with the member opposite in welcoming the Davidson Volunteer Fire Department delegation here. I was super happy when I was walking through the rotunda where I ran into Cory Dean and Logan and Jim and Allison. You know, myself and the Leader of the Official Opposition had an opportunity to tour the community and their facility — absolutely top-notch group of people.

You know, they help keep folks along the busiest highway in Saskatchewan safe. And you know, I think probably 90 per cent of the members here, on a weekly basis probably drive down that highway, you know. And these folks make sure that if there was ever an accident, we would be safe and we’d be looked after. So I just wanted to join the member opposite and encourage us all to welcome these fine folks to their legislature.

And I’d be remiss if I wasn’t on my feet to welcome my CA [constituency assistant] who is seated opposite me, Michael Turner. He’s down in Regina today helping me out as I’ve been putting on a few kilometres. He went with me to P.A. [Prince Albert] on Monday. Yesterday we were in the Southeast, tomorrow in the Northeast. We’re all talking to folks about Bill 606. And I would not be able to do that without his tireless efforts. So I want to welcome him to his legislature. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Humboldt-Watrous.

Racquel Hilbert: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure today to introduce 36 students from HCI [Humboldt Collegiate Institute] in grade 12. They’re here with Mr. Millette and Aime Owens. I do look forward to meeting with them after question period downstairs, and I’ll bring some treats. And with that, I would like everyone to welcome them to this, their Legislative Assembly.

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

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just a moment to recognize a couple of individuals with the military contingent up there: Retired Brigadier General Cliff Walker who I had the honour of being an interning teacher with in 1986 — that’s 1986 — and Retired Colonel Randy Brooks, who I also taught with at Luther College High School.

I’d like to thank them for their service to education and to their country. Thank you very much.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Moose Jaw Wakamow.

Megan Patterson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my pleasure to introduce Kim Churko, seated in your gallery. Kim is a part of the very musical, well-known Churko family. The Churko family has entertained many across the province and raised thousands of dollars for various causes.

Kim is the past Chair of Inclusion Moose Jaw, and she’s a current board member of Inclusion Saskatchewan. Kim has two children with autism. She’s a loving mother and a fierce advocate for acceptance and inclusion. Please join me in welcoming Kim to this, her Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cumberland.

Jordan McPhail: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’m happy to join with my colleague from Saskatoon Centre and the Premier in welcoming FSIN [Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations] Vice-Chief Dutch. I know that over the years that I served as a municipal councillor, you were at many local events in La Ronge and across Saskatchewan.

I think of, you know, the Summer Games where Indigenous youth are often trying out sports for the very first time. And I’ve seen you and the leadership that you’ve shown in some of those areas and being a role model for people here in Saskatchewan, and especially that Indigenous perspective, bringing that warrior spirit to whether it be a hockey rink or a track and field meet.

Seeing the work that you’ve done over the years has truly inspired me to try and get out to all those communities, see the people, meet them where they’re at, and hear their stories. And then also, part of what I’ve been taught through you as well is also not only listen to the stories, but share those stories with as many people as you can. When we share our stories in the Indigenous world, it passes on our culture. It passes on our histories and our shared history.

So I thank you for your leadership, and on behalf of the official opposition, I want to welcome you to your provincial legislature.

And while I’m on my feet, as a former municipal councillor and a SUMA [Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association] board member, I also see way up in your gallery there as well, Mr. Speaker. A quick shout-out, join the member from Lloydminster in welcoming Gerald Aalbers.

Again, as a municipal councillor, Gerald was great at teaching proper governance structures, understanding the role of municipalities in not only their small, local elective issues, but also in a broader level on advocating for your community, for economic policies that will help municipalities, for removing PST [provincial sales tax] on construction labour. There was many things that were brought through the SUMA board.

And I know I had the honour and the opportunity to serve alongside with him and I want to join the member opposite in welcoming him to this, his provincial legislature. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

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

Hon. Michael Weger: — Mr. Speaker, I would like to introduce, to you and through you and to all members of this Assembly, some very special guests seated up in the west gallery today. First I would like to recognize Shailja Tiwari, who serves as ministerial assistant in my office and does an excellent job supporting residents of Saskatchewan as a caseworker. I’m very pleased to have her as part of our team.

Joining Shailja is her husband Anshumaan Tiwari, who many of us know as a former staffer in the building. He currently works with Tourism Saskatchewan, where he contributes to promoting the province and its tourism sector.

Also joining us are Mr. Pramod Tiwari and Mrs. Archana Tiwari, who are visiting from New Delhi, India, and are enjoying some very special time with their grandson Archishmaan who is also here. This is their first visit to Saskatchewan and to Canada, and it is a pleasure to welcome them to our province.

Pramod and Archana have especially enjoyed see Archishmaan experience life here, whether it is spending time outdoors in the fresh prairie air, playing in the cold on snowy days, or enjoying milder moments as the seasons begin to change.

Mr. Speaker, these are truly special cross-generational moments that families cherish and carry with them for a lifetime. Mr. Speaker, I would ask all members to join me in extending a very warm welcome — warm Saskatchewan welcome, that is — to the Tiwari family, and we wish them a memorable experience while they stay in our province. Thank you.

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

Don McBean: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I would like to introduce in the gallery facing us Darrick Latsay. And if I were to keep this really short, I’d say he’s a gym buddy because I met him at the gym over the last couple of years. When you’re both at the gym at 6 a.m. you start talking. Right away I thought, this is a pretty interesting guy; there’s probably things I want to learn from him.

He mentioned one day about working with the First Nations Centre of Excellence. He’s talked about a lot of other things, and I keep saying we need to talk more. He texted me on the weekend and he said he’s down for the farm, fuel, and fertilizer conference; coming in Monday night; maybe we can go out. And I learned a lot more and just how much I really could learn from Darrick.

He worked for a long time with IPSCO back in the day, turned into Evraz. Left there, did an Executive M.B.A. [Master of Business Administration] at the U of R [University of Regina]. A couple of different jobs, including CEO of Habitat for Humanity. And has now turned himself into Propositum Consulting, based out of Saskatoon.

Just a bit of a warning: if you check his LinkedIn and you see master black belt, that’s not a martial art like I thought it was. I made some reference, and . . . No, it’s LSS, which is Lean Six Sigma, but they’re graded by black belts and master black belts. He’s not stopping learning, and just wrapping up a governance practitioners of Canada designation.

Anyway wonderful evening on Monday. I invited him to come sit in with us for a bit to see what I get to do. And it’s my pleasure to welcome Darrick Latsay, and I invite everyone else to join me in welcoming him to this, his legislature.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Provincial Secretary.

Hon. Jamie Martens: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I wanted to introduce my daughter Katarina Sopatyk. She’s sitting up in the west gallery. This young lady is my pride and joy. I would say that because she was such a perfect baby, I decided to have two more. I was done after the last one, I’ll tell you.

But this young lady is taking a liking to politics as well, which I’m very excited. She comes along for many different events and volunteers, and as well probably knows everybody’s name here in the House as well. So I’m very, very proud of this young lady. And she’s here to visit me today. So I’d like everyone else to please welcome her to her Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

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

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Across from us today we have my constituency assistant Alex Lipp. She is smart as a whip, caring, compassionate, but have no doubt, Mr. Speaker, she is also mighty fierce in her quest for building a better Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, as we all know, the job of a CA isn’t easy. So I’d invite all members to join me in welcoming her to her legislature.

PRESENTING PETITIONS

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

Joan Pratchler: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present a petition for implementing rent control. The undersigned residents would like to bring to our attention that Saskatchewan leads the nation in average rent increases. The average rent in Regina has gone up 3.9 per cent last year; the average rent in Saskatoon is 5.4 per cent last year; and rent control protects tenants from excessive and unreasonable rent increases. British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island also have implemented rent control.

I’ll read the prayer:

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

Mr. Speaker, the petition is signed by residents from Regina. I do so present.

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

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present a petition to address the affordability crisis in Saskatchewan. The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: that according to Angus Reid, 84 per cent of Saskatchewan people are feeling stressed about money, the highest such rate of financial insecurity in Canada; that half of Saskatchewan residents were living paycheque to paycheque before transportation and food costs skyrocketed in 2022; that the Sask Party government’s power, PST, and tax hikes make life more expensive.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I will say the prayer that reads as follows:

Respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to meaningfully address the affordability crisis in Saskatchewan.

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

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

Bhajan Brar: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise here today to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to immediately get tough on crime and tough on the cause of crime. We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan, wish to bring to your attention the following: Saskatchewan has the highest crime rate per capita amongst all provinces in Canada. Saskatchewan has the highest rate of severe crimes, leading the country in the national crime severity index for 25 years in a row. Saskatchewan’s homicide rate, 5.94 per cent, remains more than double the national average rate, 2.25 per cent. Saskatchewan has the highest rate per capita of intimate partner violence, also known as domestic violence, in Canada.

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately get tough on crime and tough on the cause of crime.

Mr. Speaker, this petition has been signed by the residents of Prince Albert. I do so pray. Thank you.

[14:00]

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

Nicole Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present a petition calling on the government to reverse the ban on third-party educators from publicly funded schools. Those who’ve signed this petition wish to bring to our attention the following: that on August 22nd, 2023 the Saskatchewan government banned all third-party educators from publicly funded schools. This included organizations like the Regina Sexual Assault Centre, Partners Family Services, the Prince Albert Sexual Assault Centre, and the North East Outreach and Support Services, amongst many others.

The topics that these organizations teach include things like consent, healthy relationships, and child sexual abuse prevention. With Saskatchewan’s worst-in-the-nation rates in intimate partner violence and sexual abuse, the government should be doing everything possible to reduce these rates, including prevention education. And, Mr. Speaker, the decision to ban these educators will make Saskatchewan’s rates of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and sexual abuse worse, not better.

I’d like to read the prayer:

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

Those who’ve signed this petition today come from Regina. I do so present.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

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

Building Menopause Care in Saskatchewan

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This week Manitoba showed what bold leadership in women’s health care looks like. They reopened a public menopause clinic, making it better, that had been closed by a previous Conservative government. For too long women in this province have been told to wait, to cope, and to figure it out alone despite mental health problems, brain fog, fatigue, trouble sleeping, unnecessary suffering, and sometimes quitting the workforce.

In Saskatchewan we can do better and we will do better, Mr. Speaker. Have no doubt. We will build on what’s working in Manitoba, in BC [British Columbia], and in other provinces. And we will invest in clinics doing extraordinary work so no woman has to wait two years just to get in the door. We will partner with Indigenous organizations, with researchers, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, doctors, because after all, that is the Canadian way of building health care. We work together. We trust our front-line staff.

I don’t want to hear about another woman going out of province for private menopause care. Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker. This is not just a health issue; it’s an economic one, and it is a moral one. Our government would stand with women at this stage of life and deliver results. We wouldn’t leave them out of our plan, so let’s get going.

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

Davidson Fire Captain Honoured for Outstanding Service

Barret Kropf: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At the Davidson Volunteer Fire Department we have a true legend with nearly half a century of service. Captain Jim Schmit was recently awarded the Canadian Fire Services Exemplary Service Medal for outstanding commitment as a volunteer emergency personnel.

In January 1978 Jim Schmit walked into the hall to sign up and began his unwavering commitment to serving the community of Davidson and surrounding area. Now into his 48th year of service, Captain Schmit makes every day count by providing leadership on this very active Davidson team. Jim and his wife, Allison, raised their family in Davidson, and together they have been a strong team that has made a direct impact on their community.

Fire Chief Cory Dean recently stated, Jim has been around since fire was invented. And while that may not be far from the truth, Mr. Speaker, Jim truly is a representative of the very heart of volunteers who serve departments across this province and our nation.

Please join me in congratulating Jim on his service award of 48‑plus years of service. And help me thank all volunteer emergency members and departments, who provide all of us with safety and protection in each of our communities. Thank you to Jim and Allison.

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

Supports for Adults Seeking Autism Diagnoses

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you so much, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to talk about a remarkable member of the Churchill-Wildwood community, Janet Sebelius. She shared with me her journey to get diagnosed with autism as an adult. She always realized that something was different about her. Her mind and the way that she interacted with others was different. She waited many, many years to have a name attached to what she always felt inside.

You know, Mr. Speaker, this diagnosis can be very expensive. Often people pay thousands of dollars out of pocket and wait for necessary testing. It’s also a subject that’s close to my heart as a teacher and also a parent of young adults who have autism. You know, we need to provide more support to adults seeking this diagnosis. Some people have attempted to politicize the increasing rates of autism when in reality, we’ve merely gotten better about diagnosing what has always been there, Mr. Speaker.

Once somebody leaves school, diagnosis becomes a long and expensive affair. This is something my family recently went through. My son is autistic. You know, his mind works differently than mine, but our province and our humanity is enriched by people like him. He has an ability to live in the moment that I honestly envy, Mr. Speaker, and his kindness and gentleness is something that we should all aspire to, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Moose Jaw Wakamow.

Autism Awareness Month

Megan Patterson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise in the Assembly today to recognize April as Autism Awareness Month. Mr. Speaker, every individual with autism, or ASD [autism spectrum disorder], has unique challenges and strengths. Neurodiversity like this enriches our province. It is a part of the fabric that makes Saskatchewan vibrant and strong.

ASD is different for everyone, so it is essential that supports are flexible and responsive. The autism individualized funding program gives families flexibility to access services tailored to their child’s specific needs. In addition community-based organizations, such as the Autism Resource Centre in Regina and Autism Services Saskatoon, translate government funding into real outcomes for families.

Our government is committed to fostering understanding, acceptance, and meaningful inclusion. We will continue to support programs that empower individuals with autism to live accepted, full, and meaningful lives.

This month we recognize the dedication of educators, community-based organizations, families, and caregivers who provide support every day. We also celebrate individuals with autism, their contributions, their talents, and the way they strengthen families, communities, and our province.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cumberland.

Polls on Government Performance

Jordan McPhail: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I want to address the Premier’s record and how Saskatchewan people are judging it. The latest polling shows that 49 per cent of Saskatchewan people disapprove of this Premier’s performance. Mr. Speaker, that is not a position of strength. It is a clear signal of a province ready for change.

And when you look at the issues that matter most, the numbers are even more concerning. On health care, only 25 per cent say the government is doing a good job, meaning the overwhelming majority are dissatisfied. On the cost of living, just 33 per cent approve of the government’s performance, while roughly three in five say it is doing a poor job. At the same time 44 per cent of Saskatchewan people say they are worse off financially than they were a year ago.

Mr. Speaker, that is the reality that people are facing in Saskatchewan every day. And we saw that frustration clearly in the last election, where support for the Sask Party declined significantly and more Saskatchewan people turned to the opposition.

That Premier led his party to almost a 30 per cent reduction in the number of MLAs. This is not about rhetoric, Mr. Speaker. It is about accountability. The numbers show a government losing ground on the issues that matter most, and Saskatchewan people deserve better.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

World War II Veteran Celebrates 100th Birthday

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What a great day to recognize our veterans. And it’s my honour today as the MLA for Swift Current to recognize one of our oldest and most esteemed residents, who happens to be a veteran.

John Watson is a veteran of the Second World War, and I’ve spoken about John in this Chamber before. Back in 1943 at the age of 17, he enlisted with the Regina Rifles. He served with the regiment in England, France, Belgium, Holland, and in Germany. Back in December, Mr. Speaker, John celebrated his 100th birthday, and they held a celebration for him at the Royal Canadian Legion in Swift Current.

Now there were many distinguished guests in attendance, including current members of the Regina Rifles, where some of them commented, and I quote, “that to meet a World War II veteran, a true hero like Mr. Watson, is a privilege. He’s a living legend who fought in the largest armed conflict in Canadian military history.”

These days John lives on his own at his condo. He’s still very mobile. He’s still very active. He credits his late wife, Mae, who had passed away several years ago, for ensuring that he lived a good life. These days it’s his granddaughter Jayda Watson who helps alongside John, is often by his side, whether it’s at functions such as the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Swift Current or, like it was this past year, being invited to the Netherlands in May of 2025 to participate in the liberation parade celebrations.

Mr. Speaker, at the birthday this past December, Mr. Watson said he was already inviting people to his 101st birthday party coming up on December 18th of this year. So mark your calendars, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it is truly my honour to congratulate John Watson on celebrating his 100th birthday and to thank him immensely for his service to our country. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Hall of Valour Honours Veterans

Blaine McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have the privilege to rise today in the House to talk about this very building, particularly one room: room 218. Now everyone here and many across the province would know that room 218 is an important meeting place in our legislature — the room where government caucus meets, the room where we welcome guests on occasions like budget day, the room for receptions and presentations by stakeholders and organizations bringing their ideas about policy and programming to be heard by the elected, the room where memorial photographs of 15 servicemen hang.

These 15 servicemen are the Saskatchewan recipients of the Victoria Cross, the highest honour that a member of the Canadian Armed Forces can receive. Today, Mr. Speaker, those 15 servicemen are now remembered in the Hall of Valour. This morning room 218 was renamed the Hall of Valour to recognize the service of men and women who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces past, present, and in the future.

Today the Premier introduced many of our guests, many wearing their uniforms as they came to this, their legislative Chamber. As Canada bolsters its support for NATO [North Atlantic Treaty Organization] to ensure sovereignty of the Arctic, we must now consider how our heroes of the past may instruct our future. Hall of Valour recognizes the sacrifices that have been made to protect Saskatchewan and Canada, and reminds us that we need to remain a country of fortitude and courage.

We owe a debt to those men and women who have served in wartime and peace to give us the privilege of standing in this House. When people come to their legislature, they will remember. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

QUESTION PERIOD

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

Affordability and Regulation of Grocery Prices

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan people are getting hammered by soaring food costs at the checkout, and those high grocery prices are having families struggle to meet their budget for the month. But adding to that frustration is the fact that we have a government that refuses to lift a finger to do anything about it.

They could remove the PST from grocery items, and they could ban unfair AI [artificial intelligence] price gouging. But, Mr. Speaker, they could also pass the bill that I brought forward yesterday to increase competition and to lower grocery prices.

To the Premier: will he commit to doing that today?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, this question on inflationary challenges that Saskatchewan and Canadian families are facing has been asked on the floor of this Legislative Assembly many times. I would say first and foremost, when it comes to grocery stores — and I mentioned this yesterday — that within a five-minute drive of where I stand at this moment, there are 14 grocery stores that are available, Mr. Speaker, within a five-minute drive of where we are standing on the floor of this Assembly right now.

With respect to lifting a finger to address affordability challenges to ensure that Saskatchewan can remain the most affordable place to live in the nation of Canada, I would say that this government, in particular this Minister of Finance in the most recent budget, lifted 2.5 billion fingers with $2.5 billion in that budget to ensure that Saskatchewan remains the most affordable province in the nation of Canada, Mr. Speaker.

We have the second-lowest utility bundle. We have the highest tax threshold for families, Mr. Speaker. The first $65,000 for a family of four, Mr. Speaker, there is no provincial income tax that is paid. It puts us in a position today where we are paying — Saskatchewan families — $4,400 less in income tax, provincial income tax, taxes of all kinds than under the NDP [New Democratic Party].

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

Carla Beck: — Well, Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan people aren’t buying those lines from the Premier. And they certainly aren’t feeling it when they go to the checkout stand. Mr. Speaker, they expect their government to work for them, to take action when costs soar. And they expect their government to stand up to companies using unfair rules to keep those prices sky-high.

[14:15]

But that is not what this Premier and what this government are doing. They refuse, they refuse all suggestions to cut taxes and costs for groceries, for gas, Mr. Speaker. And they refuse to crack down on those unfair business practices that are keeping costs so high.

Mr. Speaker, when the Premier refuses to listen to Saskatchewan people who are struggling just to make ends meet, you have to wonder, who exactly is it that that Premier is working for?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Well, Mr. Speaker, we work very hard on this side of the House for Saskatchewan families each and every day that we have the honour to serve as their representatives and as their government, Mr. Speaker.

What we didn’t refuse was to lower the personal income tax rate in this province, Mr. Speaker. What we didn’t refuse is to ensure that we’re making decisions that ensure that we have the second-lowest utility bundle in the nation of Canada. What we didn’t refuse was to ensure that we were able to double the active families benefit to $300 per child. What we didn’t refuse was enhancements to the children’s drug plan, Mr. Speaker.

What we didn’t refuse was the first-time homebuyers tax credit, Mr. Speaker. The home renovation tax credit. We doubled the first responder tax credit and have moved to enhance the $10‑a-day child care plan that the members opposite stood on the floor of this Assembly and demanded that we sign the existing agreement that we had. We negotiated enhancements to that agreement for families that have children that turn six in the year that they’re attending, Mr. Speaker.

We will, again and again and again, Mr. Speaker, stand up for the families of this great province of Saskatchewan.

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

Power Generation Plan Costs

Carla Beck: — Well, Mr. Speaker, last night in committee we saw that Premier’s hand-picked SaskPower minister not provide a cost estimate for his power plan. That minister was asked four times for an answer. He danced and he ducked, but he refused to give an answer.

So I’m going to ask the Premier — no spin, Mr. Speaker — how much does his power plan cost?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, $21 billion less than their plan, and counting. That’s what it costs, Mr. Speaker.

Today we have the second-most affordable utility bundle in the nation of Canada, Mr. Speaker. Today we are asking SaskPower to continue to make decisions that provide reliable, affordable power for families and for industries that are choosing to invest here; to create careers and jobs for more Saskatchewan families to stay here in the future. We’re doing that by utilizing the life cycle of the assets that we have. We’re doing that by a very structured transition to nuclear power in the future, Mr. Speaker.

And you contrast that with their fictitious plan, Mr. Speaker, the plan that is committed to using LNG [liquefied natural gas], a fuel source that is 10 times the cost of natural gas. And no sooner would they truck in that LNG from British Columbia or the United States of America, and as soon as it got here, Mr. Speaker, you can rest assured that they would charge the carbon tax on it.

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

Carla Beck: — Well, Mr. Speaker, the Premier is having a little bit of trouble here with the facts. The fact is that our plan does not include LNG, and it is half as expensive at least as their plan. And the details are hiding right there on the internet, should he care to have a look.

But, Mr. Speaker, it sounds like this Premier expects the people of this province to simply just write him a blank cheque. Mr. Speaker, remember, this is after he already promised people in this province that power rates would not increase and then sneak-attacked them with a $136 million increase.

Mr. Speaker, now when his plan first came out, that minister, the Minister for SaskPower, suggested that his coal refurbishment plan was going to cost $900 million. Last night in committee, he had to admit that that price tag has already tripled to at least 2.6 billion. That’s a lot of fingers.

Mr. Speaker, does the Premier think it’s acceptable or responsible to push forward this power plan while he’s keeping the true cost of that plan from the people of this province?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — I think it’s responsible for this minister, this government to work alongside Saskatchewan families and our public utility companies to ensure that in the case of power, we have reliable, affordable power for years into the future for families and for industries that are making investments here, Mr. Speaker.

I want to address some comments made by the Leader of the Opposition on April the 14th at the SUMA convention. And I quote the Leader of the Opposition:

Our plan makes use of LNG, both importing LNG from other provinces but also increasing that LNG production, transmission here in the province as well. I think that’s the key difference.

In bringing in that LNG, prior to them putting the carbon tax on it . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Order. Order, please.

Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, importing that LNG, before they put the carbon tax on that fuel source, would be over $3 billion annually just in fuel costs, never mind the capital costs to build each of those plants across the province.

So I would ask the Leader of the Opposition, who says today that their plan does not include LNG, why she told over 1,000 municipal leaders that it does.

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

Aleana Young: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A lot of talk about gas in the legislature today, when it’s clear the gaslighting is only coming from one side of the House, Mr. Speaker.

So last night in committee I asked the . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — I’m sorry. I don’t think we’re going to be calling the intentions of the opposite side “gaslighting.”

Aleana Young: — So last night, Mr. Speaker, I asked the SaskPower minister again and again and again how much his power plan would cost. There was no answer, Mr. Speaker; rather, 45‑minute monologues about just how good he is at his job.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I think that SIECA [Saskatchewan Industrial Energy Consumers Association], APAS [Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan], SARM [Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities], the CFIB [Canadian Federation of Independent Business], chambers of commerce, people around the province, as well as their own appointed rate review panel would beg to differ, Mr. Speaker. There is no accountability.

For the record, will the minister admit that he doesn’t have a clue just how much his plan will cost?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — As I said in my previous answer, Mr. Speaker, this minister is working closely with families, industries across this province, working closely with our public utilities companies, in particular SaskPower, to ensure that we have reliable, affordable power into the future. That is the goal of this government. That’s the goal of our utility companies, so that we can continue to attract the investment and have the second-lowest utility bundle across the nation of Canada, Mr. Speaker.

But here we have a challenge on the floor of this Assembly, Mr. Speaker. We have a leader of the opposition that said LNG is not included in their plan. However at the SUMA convention, to municipal leaders she said LNG is part of their plan. We saw the member from Regina University in Prince Albert, in Yorkton, doubling down on the fact that, yes, LNG — a fuel source that is 10 times the cost, over $3 billion each and every year before they add the carbon tax to it — is absolutely part of their power plan, Mr. Speaker.

Which is it? Mr. Speaker, I would say the Leader of the Opposition owes an explanation to the families across this province.

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

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, I’m going to stand in my place today and do something that is sometimes hard for politicians — particularly, it seems, for the Premier — and I’m going say that when I said LNG, I misspoke. I meant natural gas, Mr. Speaker.

And I have hidden that fact, we have hidden that fact on the internet in the plan that is publicly available. And I invite people to look at it, Mr. Speaker — gridandgrowth.ca. That same plan shows that our power plan is half, at least half as expensive as that government’s plan, Mr. Speaker. But it could be more. Because that minister doesn’t seem to know what the full cost is going to be. Remember, their coal refurb has already increased by triple since he made that announcement.

So my question again to the Premier: does he expect the people of this province — after you already told them you weren’t going to increase their power bills and you did — does he expect the people of this province to hand him and hand that minister a blank cheque?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, yet again as we work our way through finding our way to nuclear power generation facilities in this province, to provide that clean, that reliable and affordable power into the future, we are going to utilize the assets that we have. This is the direction of the Government of Saskatchewan to protect the very reliable, affordable power, reliable, affordable utilities that we have in this province today, Mr. Speaker.

And, Mr. Speaker, I grew up in the days of a number of different sitcoms on TV, and I can remember one of my favourite actors, who always found it so hard to say that he was wr‑wr‑wr‑wrong: Mr. Arthur Fonzarelli, Mr. Speaker. And I can appreciate the fact that the Leader of the Opposition has stood up and said that she had misspoke with respect to that.

So I would ask this, Mr. Speaker: did the printer misprint their document, Mr. Speaker? And did the member from Regina University . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Order, please.

Hon. Scott Moe: — And did the member from Regina . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — I was hardly sat down, and I hear more chatter from the opposition.

Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, I can appreciate that the Leader of the Opposition has taken her place and said that she misspoke when addressing over 1,000 municipal leaders across this province. I would ask if the printers that printed their plan, did they also misprint that particular plan? And did the member from Regina University also misspeak when she was in Saskatoon and doubled down on the LNG usage, Mr. Speaker, or in Yorkton as well?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cumberland.

Advanced Education and Government Financial Management

Jordan McPhail: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a little rich that the Premier wants to talk about admitting when they’re wrong, but I’ll move on here.

This week we learned that 181 people have now lost their jobs at the Sask Polytech since last July. The Minister of Advanced Education has said — and I totally agree — that a single job loss is unacceptable, and we must do better as a province to support our post-secondary institutions.

And one way to do that is by ensuring that there is total financial transparency and accountability, not just in our post-secondary sectors but across the entirety of government.

Does the Minister of Advanced Education agree that we should have maximum transparency in Saskatchewan?

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

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Thanks very much for the question. And I’m most happy to talk about the finances of Sask Poly on the floor of this legislature — an 8 per cent increase by this government, some $187 million if memory serves correct.

And, Mr. Speaker, I’ve said many times on the floor of this legislature, Sask Poly and all of our post-secondary institutions are among the best, most well funded in the country. And we can look at that. We know what’s happening in the country: some 21,000 layoffs, Mr. Speaker. Again tough decisions have to be made. We have excellent administrators taking care of our institutions, and that’s what happens each and every day. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cumberland.

Jordan McPhail: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Saskatchewan is currently running a $900 million deficit. We are spending over a billion dollars each and every year on interest to Toronto and New York bankers. We need more accountability and transparency on how this government spends money. We need to ensure that we are minimizing waste so that people of Saskatchewan’s money goes to serve them.

Does the Premier agree that the key to ending a decade of deficits and debt is an honest examination of how the government spends its money? And will he tell the Advanced Education minister to release his lease?

Speaker Goudy: — I’m a little disappointed that for so many days in a row . . . There are ways. There are procedures. And I’m having to read again:

20(2) Questions relating to any matter within the administrative competence of the government or on matters related to individual ministerial responsibilities may be asked of the Minister of the Crown.

Those are the right kinds of questions.

The wrong kinds of questions would be:

Questions on issues not officially connected with the government, of a private nature, related to Board of Internal Economy [of which that is a question], caucus, party or political responsibilities are prohibited.

Next question. I recognize the member from Saskatoon Silverspring.

[14:30]

Addressing Crime

Hugh Gordon: — Mr. Speaker, new data from Statistics Canada showed Saskatchewan now has the highest rate of firearm-related crime of any province in Canada. There were 670 firearm-related incidents in Saskatchewan cities in 2024, a rate of 120.1 incidents per 100,000 people. That far exceeds rates in Manitoba at 81.3 per cent, and in Alberta of 49.3 per cent. In addition to gun-related violence, Saskatchewan has the worst crime severity in Canada — double the national average.

When will the Sask Party government begin to address rising rates of crime?

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

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This is a government that takes community safety very seriously. And that’s why we’re adding 100 new municipal police officers through the safer communities and neighbourhoods initiative, 160 municipal policing positions through the municipal police services grant program, and we’re hiring more marshals throughout the province.

This is a government that will support the community safety in our cities and in rural Saskatchewan.

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

Hugh Gordon: — And yet, Mr. Speaker, under the actions of this minister and this government, this province still leads the country in crime severity index. Saskatchewan used to be the place where you could keep your doors unlocked. We now lead in gun violence, crime severity, and we also have the highest rate of interpersonal violence. People don’t feel safe downtown or in their own communities after dark.

And while communities don’t feel safe, that Premier’s bad-news budget spends three times more money servicing the record debt than it does on policing in Saskatchewan.

How much more violence must occur under this minister’s watch before he takes action?

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

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Not only is this government funding more police officers to get more boots on the ground; we’re supporting the great work that is being done by teams like our crime reduction team, our Saskatchewan trafficking response team, Mr. Speaker.

I had some statistics provided for mid-year 2025: 73 firearms seized by these teams, 14 kilograms of cocaine seized, 2.7 kilograms of methamphetamine. That’s 91 individuals charged, 445 criminal offences through these specialized teams, Mr. Speaker. We’re taking an approach that will make sure our communities are safe and secure.

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

Hugh Gordon: — I don’t take any solace in these supposedly impressive crime statistics that the minister proposes. The number of law enforcement actions is so high; it’s because crime’s out of control. Of course the numbers are going to go up.

Mr. Speaker, this is a deeply troubling distinction that no province should hope to hold. Families across Saskatchewan deserve to feel safe in their own communities, yet these numbers point to a premier that is failing to address rising rates of crime. For years we’ve seen crime get worse in communities. That Premier has failed to act. It’s time for real action to make our streets safer.

Why won’t that minister do something about crime today?

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

Hon. Michael Weger: — Mr. Speaker, happy to talk about other initiatives we have in this province. We’re taking action to recruit further police officers to this province as well. We recently partnered with the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police], municipal police services, the Saskatchewan Chiefs of Police to launch a national advertising campaign to recruit police officers to this province to carry on a job in law enforcement, Mr. Speaker.

Again this is a government that is looking at solutions to increasing the number of police officers on the streets, Mr. Speaker. Why, when it comes to crime reduction and law enforcement, does the NDP always choose to be part of the problem rather than part of the solution?

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

Legislation regarding Availability of Emergency Health Care

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Now the Sask Party is endangering . . .

Speaker Goudy: — I said Wascana Plains. I meant Walsh Acres. Sorry about that.

Jared Clarke: — The Sask Party is endangering the safety of Saskatchewan people across the board. People across the province drive up to their local emergency room in pain, in crisis, and what do they see? A sign on the door redirecting them to another hospital an hour away because their local ER [emergency room] is closed.

Now that minister has stated that the SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority] tracks in real time the closures of emergency rooms across the province. Except the SHA isn’t sharing that information in real time.

So my question again today: will the minister vote to allow third reading of Bill 606, The Provincial Health Authority (ER Closure right-to-know) Amendment Act today?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Speaking of signs at hospitals, I wonder what the sign at the Plains hospital says today.

You know, Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned many times in this House day after day after day, the SHA has a process of alerting communities of temporary disruptions at a website updated daily as well as real-time information available through HealthLine 811.

But you know, Mr. Speaker, what we’re focused on through our patients-first plan is actually reducing temporary disruptions through the most ambitious health human resources action plan. We have reduced chronic nursing vacancies by 61 per cent over the last three years in the province — in rural communities that number goes down by 72 per cent — by stabilizing our health care teams, by training more physicians as we are with all of our residency seats in this summer’s intake filled, Mr. Speaker.

It’s these solutions that will get rid of temporary disruptions and ensure that patients in this province can get the right care at the right time as close to home as possible.

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

Investigation into Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, this is a common-sense bill that could save lives. I do hope the government will see the light.

The people of Saskatchewan were devastated to learn of the death of an 11‑year-old boy here in Regina, Henry Losco. He was a trumpet player, a soccer player. He was a beautiful, kind, and bright child, a loving son to Sergio and Marina. Henry died of carbon monoxide poisoning in his own building on December 19th, 2025.

Under Saskatchewan law currently, Mr. Speaker, a carbon monoxide alarm was not mandatory in his unit. Marina, his mother, has told us that Henry was a cautious child. If he’d heard an alarm, he would have run for safety. No alarm came that day, Mr. Speaker.

At the time, we wrote to the minister responsible to ask what action would be taken to ensure such a tragedy never occurs again. So now, four months later, what action has been taken?

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

Hon. Eric Schmalz: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all I would like to again offer condolences to the family of the child who was lost. No child should ever have to endure that, nor should any family, Mr. Speaker.

The report was released today. We are still going over that report, Mr. Speaker. We will continue to review the building codes and requirements alongside the report to ensure that we are providing safe places for people to live in this province. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill No. 57 — The Information Services Corporation Amendment Act, 2026

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

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Bill No. 57, The Information Services Corporation Amendment Act, 2026 be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the Minister of CIC that Bill No. 57, The Information Services Corporation Amendment Act, 2026 be now introduced and read the first time. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — First reading of this bill.

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

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Next sitting.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Chair of the Standing Committee on the Economy.

Colleen Young: — No, Crown and Central Agencies.

Speaker Goudy: — Oh, no, that was the last one. I recognize the Chair of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies.

Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies

Colleen Young: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am instructed by the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies to report Bill No. 94, The Income Tax Amendment Act, 2026 without amendment.

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

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

Speaker Goudy: — The minister has requested leave to waive consideration in the Committee of the Whole on Bill No. 49, The Income Tax Amendment Act, 2026 and that the bill be now read the third time. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

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

THIRD READINGS

Bill No. 49 — The Income Tax Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Jim Reiter: — I move that the bill be now read the third time and passed under its title.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Question.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — Third reading of this bill.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Chair of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies.

Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies

Colleen Young: — Mr. Speaker, I’m instructed by the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies to report Bill No. 50, The Financial Administration Amendment Act, 2026 without amendment.

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

Hon. Jim Reiter: — I request leave to waive consideration in Committee of the Whole on this bill and that the bill be now read the third time.

Speaker Goudy: — The minister has requested leave to waive consideration in the Committee of the Whole on Bill No. 50, The Financial Administration Amendment Act, 2026 and that the bill be read the third time. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

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

THIRD READINGS

Bill No. 50 — The Financial Administration Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Jim Reiter: — I move that the bill be now read the third time and passed under its title.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Question.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — Third reading of this bill.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Chair of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies.

Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies

Colleen Young: — Mr. Speaker, I am instructed by the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies to report Bill No. 51, The Corporation Capital Tax Amendment Act, 2026 without amendment.

Speaker Goudy: — The minister has requested leave to waive consideration in the Committee of the Whole on Bill No. 51, The Corporation Capital Tax Amendment Act, 2026 and that the bill be now read the third time. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

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

THIRD READINGS

Bill No. 51 — The Corporation Capital Tax Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Jim Reiter: — I move that the bill be now read the third time and passed under its title.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Question.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — Third reading of this bill.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Chair of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies.

Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies

Colleen Young: — Mr. Speaker, I am instructed by the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies to report Bill No. 53, The Saskatchewan Chemical Fertilizer Incentive Amendment Act, 2026 without amendment.

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

Hon. Warren Kaeding: — I request leave to waive consideration in Committee of the Whole on this bill and that the bill now be read the third time.

Speaker Goudy: — The minister has requested leave to waive consideration in the Committee of the Whole on Bill No. 53, The Saskatchewan Chemical Fertilizer Incentive Amendment Act, 2026 and that the bill be now read the third time. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

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

THIRD READINGS

Bill No. 53 — The Saskatchewan Chemical Fertilizer Incentive Amendment Act, 2026

Hon. Warren Kaeding: — I move that the bill be now read the third time and passed under its title.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Question.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — Third reading of this bill.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Chair of the Standing Committee on the Economy.

Standing Committee on the Economy

Daryl Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’m instructed by the Standing Committee on the Economy to report that it has considered certain estimates and to present its third report for the thirtieth legislature, which includes 2026 to 2027 estimates and the 2025 to 2026 supplementary estimates no. 2. I move:

That the third report of the Standing Committee on the Economy for the thirtieth legislature be now concurred in.

Speaker Goudy: — It’s been moved by the Chair:

That the third report of the Standing Committee on the Economy for the thirtieth legislature be now concurred in.

Is the Assembly ready for the question?

Some Hon. Members: — Question.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

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

[14:45]

MOTIONS

Consideration of Bill No. 606 in Committee of the Whole on Bills

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Notwithstanding Orders of the Day, I seek leave to move the following motion:

That the Assembly immediately proceed to private members’ public bills and orders, Committee of the Whole on Bills to consider Bill No. 606, The Provincial Health Authority (ER Closure right-to-know) Amendment Act.

Speaker Goudy: — Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — No.

Speaker Goudy: — Leave is not granted.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

SECOND READINGS

Bill No. 56 — The King’s Bench Amendment Act, 2026/Loi modificative de 2026 sur la Cour du Banc du Roi

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Justice.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to offer remarks on second reading of Bill 56, The King’s Bench Amendment Act, 2026. Mr. Speaker, the Court of King’s Bench has seen significant increases in caseload volume in recent years. This growth is an anticipated side effect of a growing population and an effective justice system.

Mr. Speaker, the primary purpose of this bill is to support the growth and efficacy with the creation of a new category of judges called associate judges. Associate judges are provincially appointed judges to the Court of King’s Bench that will be responsible for certain civil and family law matters. They will complement the work of the federally appointed judges with the goal of improving case flow and court efficiency.

This bill establishes the jurisdiction of associate judges and sets out the processes for their appointment, compensation, and oversight. The Chief Justice of the Court of King’s Bench will direct the sitting locations and duties of the associate judges, allowing the court to allocate its resources where they are most needed.

Mr. Speaker, the secondary purpose of this bill is an amendment to the regulatory powers and provisions to allow for the designation of beneficiaries under registered plans that are not included in The King’s Bench Act. This will address a legislative gap that exists when new registered plans are created.

Mr. Speaker, this bill was developed in consultation with the Court of King’s Bench, and we thank them sincerely for their time, their expertise, and their collaboration. This bill will support the government’s budget commitment to appoint four new associate judges to the Court of King’s Bench in Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to move second reading of The King’s Bench Amendment Act, 2026, bilingual.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved that Bill No. 56, The King’s Bench Amendment Act, 2026 be now read a second time. Is the Assembly ready for the question? I recognize the member from Saskatoon Meewasin.

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to be on my feet to respond to second reading of Bill No. 56, The King’s Bench Amendment Act. Mr. Speaker, I just want to thank the minister for providing comments on the record.

As far as the amendment Act goes, you know, quickly, I know that our shadow minister of Justice will be analyzing this amendment Act very carefully. From what I heard here, you know, we are seeing a higher-than-normal caseload volume, directly related to a growing province, Mr. Speaker. And the creation of a new category of judge, an associate judge. The bill looks to ensure that appointment and compensation, and then also does some regulatory changes.

Mr. Speaker, I know that our shadow minister of Justice will do more justice to this bill than I will, but appreciate the comments on the record. And so at this time I will move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 56, The King’s Bench Amendment Act.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

ADJOURNED DEBATES

SECOND READINGS

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 Elphinstone-Centre.

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t want to bury the lede. I will be allowing this bill to move to its next stage after I enter in my remarks today. Bill No. 3, The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act, there’s a lot in here, Mr. Speaker.

I did have occasion to review the bill and look at the comments of the minister. One of the areas that this bill seeks to sort of introduce changes or reinforce accountability and transparency around . . . Sorry. One of the areas that this bill seeks to change is around accountability and ethics when it relates to municipal governments, councils, and the like, Mr. Speaker. I understand there is a provision here for introducing a code of ethics, for example, conflict-of-interest rules.

There is a possibility of bringing in an Indigenous advisor. It speaks to ensuring that anti-harassment policies are in place. And you know, these changes on their face do appear to be common sense, good changes. Although I know that our critic, the member for Saskatoon Nutana, she is nothing if not exhaustive and detail oriented, so I know she will have questions about that area.

I will just say, you know, Mr. Speaker, it is passing strange to see this government, you know, stand and introduce legislation that reinforces accountability and transparency for municipal leaders, and yet we’ve seen some very concerning conduct over the last few weeks, you know, that began with some public reporting of the member from Saskatoon Willowgrove’s . . .

Speaker Goudy: — I will ask you to apologize and withdraw for entering into that.

Meara Conway: — I apologize and withdraw, Mr. Speaker.

There are also some provisions in here that improve the accessibility of information, Mr. Speaker. While we once had to get in our cars and drive down to city hall, much of that information will be sought to be put and posted online. In 2026 this is a good move of course, Mr. Speaker.

The bill also speaks to a number of areas around bylaw enforcement. We’ve heard a lot as of late around dangerous or aggressive animals. This bill introduces certain tools, I understand, to address that.

One of the details of this bill that was of particular interest to me was the potential to fine vehicles, if they’re able to identify the vehicle and the owner, associated with illegal dumping. This bill would introduce the mechanism to fine those vehicles. Obviously I have the privilege and honour of representing North Central here in Regina, and there’s a huge issue with illegal dumping, Mr. Speaker. People coming from all over the city — and perhaps other parts of the province for all we know — and dumping their garbage in the alleys of North Central, and there’s a lot of frustration amongst our residents. Not nearly enough is being done, in my view, at the provincial level. So this appears on its face to be a good move.

There is also a provision in here to make it easier, in theory, to collect property tax arrears from oil and gas companies. Again I’m not completely clear on the details, but on its face this appears to be a positive move.

And then something that I found, you know, that we may have some questions around, are the mechanisms around property assessment appeals. We do hear a lot from our residents concern around property assessments and how to appeal those, and I understand those have been increasing in number and complexity, Mr. Speaker.

And so this bill seeks to introduce changes that would allow for an agreement to be reached — I guess a less adversarial process — and then the ability to consolidate appeals. I had some questions around what that would look like. I understand that the bill seeks to consolidate property assessment appeals that are of a similar nature, so I know that our critic likely has questions about that.

It is a fairly large piece of legislation. I did want to just go through it to give a little bit of a flavour to the folks tuning in. But I will say I have a lot of trust in our critic for municipal issues. The member for Saskatoon Nutana is a thorough and detail-oriented individual, and I know she will have more questions at committee. So with that, I am happy to allow this bill to move to its next stage.

Speaker Goudy: — The question before the Assembly is a motion by the minister that Bill No. 43, The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act be now read a second time. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — Second reading of this bill.

Speaker Goudy: — To which committee shall this bill be committed? I recognize the Government House Leader.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice.

Speaker Goudy: — This bill stands committed to the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice committee.

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 Meewasin.

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to be on my feet again entering into adjourned debate on Bill No. 48, The Compassionate Intervention Act, Mr. Speaker. You know, this is a very serious piece of legislation that we have before the House, looking to address what some might say is the challenge of our generation, the challenge of the times that we are in right now.

I know that I have left remarks on the record as far as the bill related to illicit drugs that’s moved on to its next stages. You know, Mr. Speaker, we are absolutely dealing with a drug crisis of huge proportion. You know, I joined health care workers outside of Prairie Harm Reduction just recently, calling for the government to hire those 126 health care workers that have been put out of work due to the closure of Prairie Harm Reduction. And I think what really struck me, Mr. Speaker, was the work that those folks, you know, kind of explained to the media that day of all the things that Prairie Harm Reduction did in their community.

And you know, the fact that as a rally was happening that weekend, someone was overdosing right there. And those employees, no longer employed with Prairie Harm Reduction, rushed to that person. They stabilized that person. You know since, we’ve been hearing reports of overdoses in the area. You know, I take 19th Street — sorry, 20th Street — quite often to get home at the end of the day, and you still have community members gathering around that space right next door to our St. Paul’s Hospital, you know, where many people in Saskatoon are sent in crisis.

You know, that community is being underserved right now with the loss of Prairie Harm Reduction. And so we called on the Minister of Health and the Minister of Social Services to immediately rehire those folks. We are in a health care retention crisis. We are in no way able to look a gift horse in the mouth, Mr. Speaker, so to speak, when we have people who are ready and willing to do the work.

I have stood in this Chamber before and I’ve spoken to the fact that there aren’t really families in Saskatchewan left that haven’t been affected by the tainted-drug crisis. I know my family got the phone call one day that a cousin-in-law had passed. Living in a group home, tainted drugs, passed away right there. Someone who had had a life, a challenging life, Mr. Speaker, but was no less due the care that any one of us here in this Chamber are deserved, Mr. Speaker.

And it is literally tearing our communities apart. It’s tearing families apart. It’s tearing, you know, the social fabric of our province. And it doesn’t seem like there are any regions of our province left untouched by this crisis. You know, I door knocked even, you know, in the 2022 Meewasin by-election. You know, you started to hear a little bit of concerns about houselessness kind of, you know, in the northern end of my riding. It’s a bit more affluent section of the riding. And you started hearing a little bit, but it wasn’t much. But you know, in 2024 and subsequent door knocking, I’m hearing a lot about encampments, homelessness. Folks, you know, living rough in neighbourhoods that never used to see these kind of effects. And it’s really . . . You know, we’ve seen reports of encampments in every section of Saskatoon.

And it’s not just Saskatoon, Mr. Speaker. It’s not just a problem for constituencies that Saskatchewan NDP MLAs represent. It’s a problem affecting every corner of our province. Every MLA in this province oversees a section or, you know, serves a section of this province that is seeing the effects of this crisis.

[15:00]

Mr. Speaker, this is such an important piece of legislation that we get right. I believe that anyone in the public expects us to do something. And so you know, that is really I think what has led to this discourse and this legislation being brought forward.

You know, I do have concerns about the folks who are, who are willingly wanting to seek help and are being turned away by waiting lists, Mr. Speaker. And so I do, you know, I wonder when we have folks who really do want to turn their life around, how can we with this legislation, you know — potentially we might see people jumping that queue — how can we turn those folks away? We don’t have the supports in place to even, you know, get those folks the care that they need. So definitely things that we need to consider as a province, Mr. Speaker.

Of course we will always, you know, support evidence-based treatments for addictions. But you know, we know that there is no family out there that has, you know, that has been touched by this crisis that wouldn’t want to do absolutely everything in their tool box for that loved one, right? And so I, you know, I absolutely see where this legislation is coming from, the need to protect folks who might not be able to protect themselves in these cases.

And so, Mr. Speaker, I think I’ve spoken long enough. I know that we have had a lot of really important words put on the record, and I know that our critic is continuing to work in this space. So at this time, I am happy to adjourn debate on Bill No. 48, The Compassionate Intervention Act.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 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 Regina Elphinstone-Centre.

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure to enter into debate on Bill No. 52, The Heritage Property Amendment Act, 2026.

I want to just begin my comments on this bill by drawing some attention to some other comments that were entered into the record by my colleague, the member for Saskatoon Nutana. I just had an opportunity to review her comments, and I read them with great interest and admiration. She spoke about really an aspect of the purpose of this bill, which is not only for historic buildings but also exists for the protection of archaeological and paleontological sites, including Indigenous cultural landscapes, burial sites, and fossil resources.

The role of the Act in terms of its protection of archaeological and paleontological resources here in Saskatchewan was actually not something that was known to me, Mr. Speaker. I didn’t know that those protections existed under The Heritage Property Amendment Act. But it does, as I’ve now learned, establish a comprehensive framework for heritage protection in Saskatchewan, heritage designation.

In addition to heritage designation, the Act automatically protects archaeological and paleontological sites and objects across the province, regardless of ownership of formal site designation. So some of those key features include all archaeological and paleontological objects, which are deemed Crown property, Mr. Speaker. It also includes excavation, disturbance, removal, or alteration. And this requires a provincial permit, which I understand is the subject of this bill, Mr. Speaker.

She then went on to touch on some of, kind of the more interesting projects that of course we all know about. I always think of Scotty of course, which . . . Scotty was discovered, as we know, by a Saskatchewan high school teacher by the name of Robert Gebhardt back in 1991.

So I was six years old at the time, Mr. Speaker, and I know that that wasn’t made public right away. There’s a lot of rumour and kind of folklore around what happened after that, because they knew they had found something big, but of course there was some delay and some time around this initial discovery by this high school teacher who was an amateur fossil hunter. But they needed to bring in obviously a professional crew to excavate Scotty, so there was a bit of time. And they had to be kind of hush-hush about this discovery because they didn’t want anyone to sort of disturb the fossils, and they didn’t want this to become public for good reason, Mr. Speaker.

Anyway it was the stuff of kind of romance and interest to me growing up. I know a lot of kids in Saskatchewan, in Regina . . . and then to have Scotty be part of our childhood growing up. And to be able to take my kids there and show them that and talk about that history is really neat. We live in a very unique place in terms of the geography, Mr. Speaker.

In any event, it is a straightforward bill so I’m going to wrap up my comments. The only change under this bill is really around a fee that this bill seeks to introduce for archaeological and paleontological investigation permits.

It’s not an area that I know very much about, Mr. Speaker, so I’m going to cede the floor to our critic on this and move to adjourn debate on Bill 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. 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 Saskatoon Meewasin.

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Happy to be on my feet again here entering into the adjourned debate on Bill No. 54, The Correctional Services Amendment Act, 2026.

Mr. Speaker, we’ve had some really good remarks left on the record. I won’t get too into the weeds here, but we’re seeing a bill that, you know, prescribes some new regulations on administrative segregation, discipline, temporary confinement, of course all relating to inmates in our penitentiaries.

You know, we will be engaging with stakeholders to ensure that we are building safer environments for correctional workers as well as the inmates who are in those spaces, Mr. Speaker.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say while I’m on my feet, you know, that we have a really hugely unproportional representation of Indigenous people in our prisons in Saskatchewan. That is something that we have to address as a province.

We also have to look at ways to address the crime rates that we’re seeing. The member from Saskatoon Silverspring spoke eloquently about that today in question period. We are seeing some of the worst crime rates in the province. I don’t know if the approach of this government is working in that front because we haven’t seen a reduction, Mr. Speaker. But I could speak on that for a long time. But for the sake of the committee that is working this afternoon, I will move to adjourn debate here today on Bill No. 54.

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. 55

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jeremy Cockrill that Bill No. 55 — The Medical Profession Amendment Act, 2026 be now read a second time.]

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

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my pleasure and honour to be entering into the debate on Bill No. 55, The Medical Profession Amendment Act, 2026. Obviously, Mr. Speaker, it’s a great opportunity over here that we are looking for some check and balance, that how we can move on with that.

So I will say in the bill, I can clearly say that College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan will be an authorized body to investigate and taking it to prosecution all those medical professionals that are working without a licence. So they will be the authorized body for that. Mr. Speaker, it is a lie — it is not something that they are doing. You can’t drive a car without a licence, and if you’ve been caught or if something happens you will be responsible for liability of that. So this should not be allowed.

And on our side we pushed this government as well. And I’m glad that eventually they are coming to this point, that they are putting some amendments. And this piece of legislation is very important for keeping our community safer, especially if something happens with those people that they’re not licence holders, are not having a proper experience or any certification in any way. So those people should not be practising by all means into this kind of profession.

Mr. Speaker, if I look into this bill, I remember that it’s not only this profession that we’re talking about in medical profession. There are so many professions. I’ve been in community a lot. People that they are working in a salon shop or some barber shop, they’re also having the same complaint. People are doing businesses at home. And the same I heard from restaurant business as well. People are doing services from their home. It is not really according to the regulation. And we make sure people should not be doing the services where they are not certified from the proper, authorized body or from some organization that they are giving certification.

Without those certifications, if they are doing anything . . . Not only medicine, but it should be looked into other areas as well. As we are bringing this amendment, I think we should have to look to the other areas as well to make sure people should be working under one umbrella and they should have check and balance, who’s doing what.

And on the same side, we should have to be having some kind of mechanism as well. Like we have a health card when you go to the doctor, you have to show the health card. And if it is a person that is not authorized, how they will be doing something? So we should have check and balance. In this time of modern technology, we can find it out, who’s doing what kind of practice, whether it’s legal or not.

Mr. Speaker, the person in charge on our side on this portfolio, they will look into deep and find it out and will have some discussion with the stakeholder. And with that, they will come up with some conclusion on that. With that, I will be adjourning debate on Bill 55, The Medical Profession Amendment Act, 2022. Thank you.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried. I recognize the 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: — It has been moved that this House do adjourn. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried. This Assembly stands adjourned until tomorrow at 10 a.m.

[The Assembly adjourned at 15:12.]

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

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