Speaker Goudy: — So first I would like to table an annual report from the Advocate for Children and Youth. Pursuant to section 39 of The Advocate for Children and Youth Act, the advocate has submitted the annual report for 2025.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Just a couple of quick introductions before starting. So to you and through you to all members of this Assembly, Mr. Speaker, I would just start with the Commissioner of the Western Hockey League. Dan Near has joined us here today. The Minister of Advanced Education will have more to say on Dan in a more formal introduction, but I do want to say thank you to Dan for the work that he does in what is a very important league to so many communities and to so many Saskatchewan residents as well.

The Minister of Advanced Education and I have an agreement: when the Blades aren’t in playoffs, he can cheer for the Raiders. When the Raiders aren’t in the playoffs, Mr. Speaker, I’d be more than happy to cheer for the Blades or the Swift Current Broncos or the Moose Jaw Warriors or whoever that might be.

Mr. Speaker, we have up in the top row in your gallery a young gentleman that was sent down here by one Tannis Goudy to chaperone the Speaker in the evenings, your son David Goudy. And I feel that you’ll have a more formal introduction of that fine young gentleman as well.

Seated to David’s right is the new voice of Saskatchewan from Rawlco Radio, Evan Bray, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to formally introduce Evan in this Assembly, thank him for the voice that he brings to so many different sides, whether it be political or community engagement items, and gives people of the province the opportunity also to call in on live radio. I think Evan has an appreciation of what a four-hour radio show can entail. It certainly takes slightly more than four hours each and every day to prepare those four hours of live talk radio.

But I also want to thank Evan for his leadership in a previous career as well, being the chief of the Regina Police Service, Mr. Speaker, and thank him for bringing some of that experience to the radio and to the people of Saskatchewan as well as we all strive to make not only our Saskatchewan communities but our Canadian communities safer in light of some of the social challenges and the drug-related challenges that we’re facing across this nation, Mr. Speaker.

So to you and through you, I take this opportunity to introduce Dan, David, and the new voice of Saskatchewan, Evan Bray.

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a tremendous honour to join with the Premier and welcome these esteemed guests that have joined us here in your gallery here today.

So to you and through you, Mr. Speaker, I’ll start with Dan Near, the director of the WHL [Western Hockey League]. It’s a tremendous honour to have you here in Saskatchewan at this time. We want to thank you for your leadership of this incredible league that is so foundational to our communities. Each of us in this community, we have different home teams we cheer for. You know, we tout for the Regina Pats of course, cheer hard. Maddox Schultz, Liam Pue, this team that’s coming along isn’t in the playoffs here right now, but they’re just an incredible squad. And they had a good finish to the season and a good hard-fought first round there as well.

Right now though in the Saskatchewan legislature I think it’s fair to say we’re all P.A. [Prince Albert] Raiders fans right now, and that’s a big battle against an excellent team as well from Medicine Hat.

But to Dan, we thank you for your leadership of this incredible league. You come from Toronto, I believe, originally, is that right? So probably a Leafs fan, and so this is always a tough time of year for you. But we want to welcome you here in the Saskatchewan Assembly and to thank you for your leadership and your presence. The teams here in Saskatchewan within the WHL are incredibly important to this province in each of our communities. So I ask all members to join with me.

Mr. Speaker, I want to give a shout-out to that running back that’s seated up there. David Goudy, Mr. Speaker, hails from Melfort, pride of Melfort coming at the Regina Thunder here this year, joining Scott MacAulay and that awesome squad there to play. What an awesome alumni that’s involved there. What a great board as well, Mr. Speaker. What a great organization.

But it’s a tremendous honour to welcome David Goudy to his Assembly. And, Mr. Speaker, I can only imagine how proud you are of your son. And to you and through you, I ask all members to join with me to celebrate your son David Goudy.

And seated beside him, the little guy up there, Mr. Speaker, the voice of Saskatchewan. It’s a tremendous honour to have Evan Bray here in his Assembly. He knows a thing or two about football, Mr. Speaker, and he knows a whole lot about this province and community. He demonstrates that every day as the voice of Saskatchewan in bringing together important conversations across the communities in this province that we all love.

And certainly that was on full display with his exceptional leadership of the Regina police as a chief that was incredibly and deeply connected in a genuine way to this community and to that service and to that force. This is a tremendous leader within this province, and I ask all members to give Evan Bray a very warm welcome.

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

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

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Hon. Ken Cheveldayoff: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, colleagues. As the Premier has indicated and the member opposite, we’re truly excited to have Mr. Dan Near here, the Commissioner of the Western Hockey League. A good friend of Saskatchewan, born in Ontario, presently makes his home in Calgary raising three children: two daughters and one son. He and his wife, Lori, reside there.

Dan succeeded Ron Robison, who is a Saskatchewanian who is a friend to all of us as well. And he’s been enthusiastically supporting Saskatchewan and the five WHL teams here that we have in the province. And you know, the Premier’s saying something about the Pats, but we’re all supportive of the Pats and the Blades and the Warriors and the Broncos and now the Prince Albert Raiders. And yes, the Premier did get me to wear a Prince Albert Raiders jersey, so we’re all good. Never looked better, some people say. Well you betcha.

You know, Mr. Near’s priorities for the Western Hockey League are facilities, and certainly he’s having discussions in all of our communities about that, the fan experience, and healthy lifestyles for our children as well. And we’ve talked about matters of advanced education as well, as we want to make sure that individuals who play in the Western Hockey League have the best education possible. And we very much value the partnership that the Government of Saskatchewan has with the Western Hockey League.

This morning he was at Regina city hall advocating his support for Brandt and Shaun Semple and their proposal before the city council in Regina. And so we thank him for that. He’s also a big country music fan, so along with trying to get him to be a Winnipeg Jets fan, I was talking to him about the Canadian Country Music Awards coming to my hometown of Saskatoon. And we’re hoping to get him out there for that.

I warn him that the guy sitting behind him there, Evan Bray, he’s a big hockey card collector, so he may be tapping you on the shoulder to see if you got any hockey cards with you as well.

So with that, Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please help me in welcoming a true friend of Saskatchewan, Mr. Dan Near, to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly.

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

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a real privilege to be on my feet and introduce a couple of guests that are seated in your gallery.

We have with us today Jennifer Simmons and her husband, Clay, and of course the girl of the hour, their seven-year-old, Kinsley. Hi, Kinsley. The family lives in Estevan, and Kinsley is in grade 2. She has a very exciting weekend ahead. She’s going to be making her runway debut at the Diabetes Canada fundraiser — I want to get the name of it right — the Pump Couture Fashion Show.

And this is an event that will raise money for diabetes camp for kiddos. This is a camp where they can go, up at Christopher Lake is my understanding, for kids with type 1 diabetes where they can just be kids like any other kids and not have to kind of worry about the things that they often have to worry about day to day. They have the support that they need up there just to have fun with one another and meet other kids that have that diagnosis, Mr. Speaker.

Kinsley, I was just chatting with her before. She’s got two dogs. Bart — they call him Bart the fart — she likes to play doctor with Bart. And they’ve got another dog. Bart is a pug, and then they have Rosie who’s a St. Bernard — big Rosie. And Rosie’s a bit more chill but still won’t let Kinsley play doctor with Rosie. Kinsley is a Girl Guide.

She is really looking forward to this Saturday. She told me she was looking forward to meeting new friends, and she’s super excited to get her hair and makeup done. So I hope a couple members from both sides are going to be able to get out to that fundraiser this weekend and support Kinsley and her friends.

It’s not exactly all good news though with this family, Mr. Speaker. I had occasion to cross paths with them a couple of weeks ago when Diabetes Canada was here. And one of their pieces, calls as it were, was to explore a minimum standard of care for schools for kiddos like Kinsley who have a type 1 diabetes diagnosis.

And Kinsley has encountered some gaps in the education system. She hasn’t been able to attend school as of late. So that is the main purpose for their visit today. It’s something we’ll have more to say about later. But I sure would like to see all members welcome Kinsley; her mom, Jennifer; and her dad, Clayton, to this, their Legislative Assembly.

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Through you and to you, I as well would like to join the member opposite and welcome Kinsley to her Legislative Assembly again. It’s really good to see you, Kinsley, and of course Jennifer and Clay as well. It’s nice to see you here again today. And your dog Bart; my partner’s name is Bart. But it’s really kind of funny because my kids use the same acronym for him as you use for your dog, so it’s very common.

But it is truly nice to see you guys here today. Of course they hail from the constituency of Estevan-Big Muddy, live in the town of Midale. So just help me in joining this family to their Legislative Assembly here today.

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

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an absolute delight to welcome 50 grade 6/7 students from Grant Road School here this morning. Grant Road of course is the school where I last taught before becoming an MLA [Member of the Legislative Assembly]. So I recognize many faces up there in the gallery, and I’m very excited to see them here.

When I was teaching in my last year, these students would have been in grade 3 and 4. So it has been a little while. They have grown up quite a bit since I’ve seen them last, and I recognize a number of siblings, younger siblings to some of the kids that I taught myself. So I would like to welcome them.

I’d also like to welcome their teachers: Mr. Aaron Warner, a good pal of mine for many years and a very talented teacher, and Jenn Foell. Did I get that right, Ms. Foell? Nope. Sorry. I’ve never had the privilege of working with Jenn, so I’m sure she’s also an amazing teacher as well if she’s at Grant Road. So I just wanted to say thank you for bringing your students in today.

Students, I hope you enjoy the show here. When I brought my students to watch the Assembly when I was teaching, I always said, enjoy the show but don’t you dare act like that when we go back to our classroom. So maybe your teachers can use that same line with you. But I ask all members to join me in welcoming these grade 6/7s to their Legislative Assembly.

[13:45]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I’d like to introduce somebody from The Battlefords who’s joining us here today, Pastor Keith Klippenstein from the Territorial Drive Alliance Church in North Battleford.

Joined us, you know, and 500‑plus people at the Saskatchewan Prayer Breakfast this morning. We had members from both sides of the Assembly there. A really good event where, you know, the member from Wascana Plains and the Premier and our chaplain Fred Hill had the opportunity to share words of encouragement and share some scriptures that were meaningful to them.

Keith is, you know, somebody who I count as a friend, but somebody who is also really important in our community in terms of really ensuring that the supports are in place for people in our community. Keith, in addition to being a pastor at the Alliance church, has also acted as the chaplain for many years for the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] in our community.

And as well the church runs Territorial Youth Services which is a very important organization, really helping youth who have, you know, struggled early on in their life, helped find their way. Many graduates of that program still reside in The Battlefords, have become business owners, and really have continued to give back to our community in so many ways.

And so I’d like to ask all members of the Assembly to join me in welcoming Keith Klippenstein to this, his legislature, and thanking him for the work that he does each and every day in our community.

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

Sally Housser: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d just like to welcome to the legislature my constituency assistant, Daisy Bowman, for Regina University. Daisy’s been with my office now for, I guess, just over a year, a little more than that. And she’s absolutely indispensable to not only me, but I think our entire opposition team as a whole. I’m delighted to have a boss like her, if I’m honest.

And you know, I’d just like all members to join me in welcoming Daisy Bowman to this, her legislature.

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

Brad Crassweller: — To you and through you, Mr. Speaker, I would like to join the Minister of Health in welcoming Keith Klippenstein to his Legislative Assembly.

I’ve known Keith for many years. He’s pastored Territorial Drive Alliance Church there since 1988, so we won’t even talk about how old the Minister of Health was at that time, but we’ll leave that for another day. But I’ve called him Klipper for a lot of years and I think I’m going to have to change that because only one of us apparently needs hair clippers these days.

But just wanted to get a couple of names on the record, Mr. Speaker. Keith and his lovely wife, Cheryl, who owns a small business in North Battleford, have a number of kids that I would just like to get on the record: their daughter Anna and her husband, Moses; their daughter Jalissa; their son Rodney; and adopted daughter Hannah and her husband, Ben.

Mr. Speaker, I also want to mention Keith and Cheryl’s first-born son. Eric Justin was just four years old when he lost his battle to cancer on March 1st of 1994. And I want to thank you, Keith and Cheryl, for your sincere heart and your leadership in that community in spite of your tragic loss. And so I would just ask all members to again welcome my friend Keith to his Legislative Assembly.

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

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I have an incredible group of students from Regina Huda School. They are sitting in the west gallery. I wish they should be sitting there, but I think with a lot of students coming to our Assembly, I think they like these sessions a lot.

So this incredible group of students are being accompanied by incredible, amazing teachers Ms. Maley, Ms. Hollinger, and Mr. Rami. Thank you very much for bringing these kids to the Assembly. And I know it’s very hard to taking off time from school and how it’s disrupting all the schedule, but thank you very much for bringing them.

Mr. Speaker, I’ve been saying that this school has a really special connection with me. They’re located in my constituency, been teaching in this school for many years, and most of the parents of the students, I know them. And the teachers, most of them I will meet with them as well and I met in past as well because my five daughters graduated from that school. So they are doing an incredible job. And I will request all members of this Assembly to give them a warm welcome to our future faces sitting in the west gallery.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I want to introduce a few guests seated in the west gallery. First of all, Mr. Speaker, Alexis Panio who works in my office, in the minister’s office, handling casework. And Alexis is the voice on the other end of the phone, on the other side of the email, handling all sorts of enquiries that come from constituents right across the province. And she does so very efficiently, effectively, and professionally in having those conversations with folks across Saskatchewan and then relaying that information to the staff in the office and me directly as well, as the minister. So I thank Alexis for the great work she does in our office.

Joining Alexis today are some friends and family. First of all her mom, Daphne Panio, who I understand also works in the building here as well. So welcome to Daphne. And then joined by . . . And I apologize, Mr. Speaker, and I apologize to the guests. I’ve got two names here, but I see three bodies up there, guests from Windsor, Ontario: Sarah and Jon. And I apologize I don’t have the name of the little one that’s being held so quietly, behaving just absolutely perfectly right now.

And I see there’s been some rotations just in and out of the galleries to try and keep things under control, and I know how challenging that can be at times.

But to you and through you, Mr. Speaker, I’d ask all MLAs and all members of the Assembly to welcome Alexis, Daphne, Sarah, and Jon, and little baby to the legislature here this afternoon. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Policing and Corrections. Now what have we changed it to? Now that we’ve got Evan Bray up in the . . . Saskatchewan safety.

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s my pleasure to introduce an individual who just snuck in the back row in the west gallery there, Mr. Speaker. It’s Scott Moffatt, K.C. [King’s Counsel]. Scott’s a good friend of mine, Mr. Speaker. He’s a lawyer in Weyburn, owns his own firm, Moffat & Company, there.

Scott, proud graduate of the University of Saskatchewan College of Law back in ’97. He’s practised law in Saskatchewan since 1998, and I’ll always remember that, Mr. Speaker, because ’98’s the year I graduated from high school, so it reminds me he’s quite a bit older than me.

And in addition to being a very well-respected lawyer across this province, Mr. Speaker, Scott does a lot in the community as well. He’s an active member on our Young Fellows association, and then he’s also been very active with the Weyburn & District Hospital Foundation. And of course they have some really good news going on in Weyburn with the completion of our Weyburn hospital.

So I do thank Scott for coming to visit me today. He’s been very supportive in this decision of mine to enter politics, and I’ll happily have a good visit with him after we’re done session today.

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

Nicole Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to join with the minister in also welcoming Scott Moffatt to his Legislative Assembly. He’s someone who I’ve had the pleasure of knowing over the past few decades through the work that he’s done, in particular with the Law Society and the legal community, Mr. Speaker. I know when I was honoured to receive my K.C., he was one of the first people who reached out to me to make sure that I knew the secret K.C. handshake. So I’m very grateful to him for that.

I’d like to thank Scott for his work and his dedication both, not just to the legal profession but also to the community of Weyburn in the community service work that my colleague on the other side of the aisle has already mentioned.

I’d ask all members to once again join me in welcoming Scott to his Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — And I had just a few . . . if I could get leave for an extended introduction from the . . .

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Thank you. So Aizlynn Gariepy from Grant Road School is here. And we’ve had a run of our Clerk’s team, the children of some of our Clerk’s team come to visit the Assembly. And so, Aizlynn, your mother’s a very hard-working, dedicated lady, but she tells us that you’re a hard-working, dedicated volleyball player. So I just want to welcome you to your Legislative Assembly. And you know, your music love and your guitar, one day you’ll maybe be able to perform in this place one day. And all the best to you in your future endeavours in education and in life. And thank you for sharing your mom with this good place. She helps keep all of us organized.

Also I have an apology to make. While, Kinsley, I don’t know if you remember — you probably do. I asked somebody. I said, how can I apologize? I honestly . . . Can I tell a bit of the story?

So my son’s sitting here. He knows me a little bit. He would have seen the shocked look on my face. We’re down in my office, she’s trying on the tricorne hat, and I look at my phone; I was going to take a picture. And I noticed seven unanswered texts and phone calls and I realized, oh my goodness, I am supposed to be out for supper with two ambassadors. And it wasn’t just a few minutes away. It was 15 minutes away and I was half an hour late.

So I honestly didn’t even know what to say, and I think I probably insulted you and ran out of the room muttering some things to myself. But anyways, Kinsley, would you forgive me for that? Thank you very much . . . and your mom and dad.

And then we have Evan Bray sitting up in the back. And you know, I wanted to . . . He was in my office. I had a chance. If it’s not on Facebook it didn’t happen, but at least it’s in Hansard. So I should have got a picture in my office; you got a picture in yours. And one day I’ll have to invite you down.

But it was interesting talking with him the other day. And he asked me, what’s it like to be the Speaker? You’re supposed to be impartial. And how do you find that, you know, being a member of one of the parties? And so I said, well that’s interesting you asked me that as a media person.

And so I think there’s a lot to be said for the appreciation that this Assembly and that this province has for media people who also do their best to report non-biased. I think you have some people in this province who think you lean too far to the right, and some people who think you lean too far to the left. And some days I feel that myself. Nobody’s happy with you. But you do a great job and thank you.

And to you and through you to all of the media in this place, we appreciate the hard work that you do to inform the people in this province and to do that in a non-biased way. We appreciate that very much. So welcome today.

And then sitting beside you, my son David Goudy. I love the guy. I’m glad he came today. He wrote his last exam yesterday for finals for a little bit, so he said he was going to come with me. And I just want to say that I did get him to tap out at Christmas wrestle, so that’ll probably be the last time I ever get to get him to tap out. But I love you, David, and thank you for being here today.

So with that we’ll move on to presenting petitions.

PRESENTING PETITIONS

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 mental health and addictions crisis in Saskatchewan. This crisis is getting worse and worse every day, and we have to address it right now. Doing nothing is not an option.

The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: that Saskatchewan has the highest suicide rate in Canada, that’s 18.1 per 100,000 people dying by suicide; that Saskatchewan continues to break its own records in overdose deaths with 484 suspected or confirmed overdose deaths in 2023, and this stat is two years old — if you see today, the number of deaths is much higher; and that one in four youth in Saskatchewan have reported having engaged in self-harm at some point.

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

Respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to work with experts and community leaders on evidence-based solutions to the mental health and addictions crisis in Saskatchewan.

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

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

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present our petition calling for the affordability crisis.

We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan, wish to bring to your attention the following: that inflation is the highest it’s been in more than three decades; that according to Angus Reid, 84 per cent Saskatchewan people are feeling stressed about money and the highest such rates of financial insecurity in Canada; that half of the Saskatchewan residents were living paycheque to paycheque before the transportation and food costs skyrocketed in 2022; that the Sask Party government power, PST [provincial sales tax], and tax hike makes life more expensive. While other provinces acted, the Sask Party government ignored opposition calls for a gas price relief plan.

I will 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 meaningfully address the affordability crisis in Saskatchewan.

[14:00]

Mr. Speaker, the signatories of this petition reside in Saskatoon. I do so present. Thank you.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

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

Impact of Crime on Saskatoon Business Owners

Kim Breckner: — Mr. Speaker, this winter I had the opportunity to visit with businesses in Saskatoon Riversdale. It was inspiring to hear how small businesses have adapted to challenges in their industry, and about their ambitions to expand production or serve their community.

While I was energized by these conversations, I was also saddened to hear the common frustrations and challenges caused by crime. Business owners told me stories of theft and vandalism, the worry of ever-increasing insurance premiums, their employees being harassed or threatened, and even of violent crimes being committed on their property. What I heard over and over was, it has never been this bad.

Saskatchewan has some of the highest crime per capita and the highest rate of violent crime among the provinces. Businesses in my constituency deserve to operate safely and to not be disproportionately hurt by out-of-control crime.

I would like to thank these businesses for their time, and call on the government to get tough on crime and to address the root causes of crime. Stop kicking the can down the road and start meaningfully addressing the mental health and addictions crisis. If we take community safety seriously, I know these businesses will continue to thrive for years to come. Thank you.

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

Community, Opportunity, and Strong Saskatchewan Roots

Doug Steele: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to share a great story about community, opportunity, and strong Saskatchewan roots centred around South West Terminal in Gull Lake and their purchase of a small family-owned pizza spot, Solo Italia, in Ogema.

At first glance, a grain company and a pizza place might not seem like an obvious match. But when you take a closer look, it’s actually a perfect example of what makes our communities strong. South West Terminal has always been grounded in agriculture, built on relationship with farmers, on trust, understanding, and where food begins. That’s where their roots start. And now by investing in a local restaurant, they’ve helped carry on that story all the way to the table. Because that’s what this really is — it’s roots to the table.

Family-owned businesses like Solo Italia are built on dedication, long hours, and commitment to serving their neighbours. The foundation is what made it special in the first place, and it shows confidence in the future of rural Saskatchewan. More than anything it feels like a natural fit, a company with deep agriculture roots partnering with a place that’s bringing people together over food. It just works.

Mr. Speaker, this is how we keep our communities strong: by supporting each other and by thinking creatively and by staying connected from the roots to the table. Thank you.

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

Educational Community Complex Celebrates 25 Years

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Nestled in the heart of my constituency, Regina Wascana Plains, stands the first educational community complex built in Regina that combined a public elementary school and a Catholic elementary school under one roof. Jack MacKenzie School and St. Gabriel School are K to 8 [kindergarten to grade 8] schools and are linked with a city of Regina community centre at Buckingham Drive and Windsor Park Road.

Jack MacKenzie School has a student enrolment of 672, with 55 teachers and staff. Affectionately known as Jack Mack, the school is named after long-time educator and outdoor ed pioneer, Norman John MacKenzie — Jack MacKenzie. St. Gabriel School has a student population of 600, with 46 students as well as support staff.

Both schools draw students from Windsor Park and surrounding neighbourhoods. I’ve had the opportunity to connect with the staff and the school groups from these schools. It goes without saying that the principals, vice-principals, and teachers do amazing work, and the students are just awesome.

This year both schools celebrate a noteworthy milestone, their 25th anniversary. Jack MacKenzie School will hold a celebration coming up on May 23rd with a family run/walk, a breakfast, drumming circle, and activities. The following day, May 24th, St. Gabriel School will celebrate with a mass, pancake breakfast, tours, and activities.

I want to congratulate Jack MacKenzie School and St. Gabriel School, all the students, teachers, staff, and parents from the past 25 years, and looking forward to the next 25.

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

Corporation Helps Entrepreneurs and Business Owners

Racquel Hilbert: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to recognize the Sagehill Community Futures corporation. Located in the small town of Bruno, over 3,400 entrepreneurs and small-business owners from across Saskatchewan have benefited from the Sagehill training programs.

Sagehill helps rural entrepreneurs and small-business owners in Saskatchewan achieve their dreams by providing loans, advice, training, and support. Mr. Speaker, Sagehill is invested in small businesses in both creating and maintaining, as well as expanding regional entrepreneurship activity. There have been additional supports for financing where clients can leverage additional funding, demonstrating how Sagehill’s advisors and financial platforms catalyst further investment from partners and lenders.

Local governments and decision making is supported by Sagehill, as it’s governed by a volunteer board of current and former business owners who understand the challenges faced by entrepreneurs. All decisions are made locally, ensuring that responsiveness to regional needs and fostering trust within the community.

Sagehill has participated in numerous provincial initiatives in the past, including the self-employment program and Small Business Loans Association program. These partnerships have played an important role in creating opportunities for entrepreneurs at a provincial level.

Mr. Speaker, this matters. It creates economic resilience, local leadership, and is an investment multiplier to unlock future opportunities for growth and diversification. Thank you.

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

Issues with Mental Health and Addictions Plan

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You know, the government talks in glowing terms about its mental health and addiction action plan. But, Mr. Speaker, in actuality, it’s an inaction plan. Everywhere in Saskatoon we see that this plan has failed miserably.

Yesterday at approximately 5:30, somebody collapsed in our family-owned business on 20th Street. The employee phoned for help, and it took over an hour for help to arrive. Mr. Speaker, this has become normal in Saskatoon. Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, this person survived yesterday. But the minister’s inaction plan is not working for the people that are caught in the grips of addiction, Mr. Speaker.

But it’s also not working for the first responders, who are overloaded by the number of addictions. And it’s also not working for small-business owners. How is a small-business owner supposed to operate when people are routinely ODing [overdose] inside their stores, Mr. Speaker?

You know, some of the employees who were present yesterday aren’t sure if they want to return to work. And the young man who had to deal with the situation asked a really poignant question. He’s from Ukraine, and I’m going to repeat the question for all the members to hear. He said, “I come from a country that’s much poorer than Canada and is at war, and we do not have a homelessness problem like this in Ukraine. Why does a rich province like Saskatchewan allow people to live and die on our streets?”

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

Moose Jaw Spa to Undergo Revitalization

Megan Patterson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This spring the Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa will undergo the largest renovation in 30 years. The Temple Gardens is truly a Saskatchewan gem, geologically speaking and for tourism in our city.

It is a well-known Canadian attraction, offering geothermal mineral pools. The water flows from an ancient sea bed deep below the surface and is geothermally heated. The water is known to improve circulation, relax muscles, and reduce stiffness. In addition to the mineral waters, it offers a deluxe spa, lounge, fitness centre, an incredible restaurant, as well as meeting spaces.

The Peepeekisis Developments will invest millions in this revitalization, and the revitalization will include new massage rooms, indoor and outdoor saunas, upgrades to the pools, and a new fire pit area. It is located in historic downtown Moose Jaw, across from Casino Moose Jaw and close to the top tourist destination in Saskatchewan, the Tunnels of Moose Jaw.

Thank you to Peepeekisis First Nation for investing in our community. I invite everyone to visit Moose Jaw to soak in the mineral spa, visit our shops, have a nice meal, and take in all our notorious city has to offer.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Prince Albert Carlton.

Opposition Hiring Practices

Kevin Kasun: — Mr. Speaker, I understand today that the NDP [New Democratic Party] has given notice to introduce a bill about prioritizing local Saskatchewan jobs. Of course we don’t know what the Act is going to say, but we do know that the NDP says one thing and usually does another.

The member from Saskatoon Eastview hired an out-of-province GOTV [get out the vote] coordinator. The member from Regina Mount Royal had a campaign manager from Edmonton. And the Leader of the Opposition, representing this very constituency we are standing in right now, hired a campaign manager from Calgary for her local re-election campaign. Altogether the NDP spent over a quarter of a million dollars in out-of-province contracts in the last election.

But it doesn’t stop there. They hired a Quebec consultant for their plan to put the carbon tax back on the SaskPower bills. They hired an American health care consultant to tell them about how Saskatchewan health care works, and of course plan to outsource our energy security to BC [British Columbia] and the United States with their plan to import LNG [liquefied natural gas] and export jobs to other jurisdictions.

The NDP talk a lot about hiring local but when given the chance to practise what they preach, Mr. Speaker, they fall short every single time. That’s why the people of this province can’t take the NDP seriously.

Speaker Goudy: — I’m just going to remind the Assembly my son is here. And when I was walking past somebody said, well we’ll try and make you look good. So let’s do that. All right.

QUESTION PERIOD

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

Provision of Electricity

Vicki Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan families, farms, small businesses are paying so much more for power this year and next. But this morning I saw an article out of Alberta that says power rates there are actually declining. And the article, which I’d be happy to share with the Premier, even gloats about how our rates are rising while theirs are falling. And they’re doing it by bringing more natural gas and renewables online, something that our Grid and Growth Plan proposes to do but that government completely rejects.

Can the Premier explain why, while other parts of Canada are trying to lower rates, he is fixated on rising costs? Better yet, can he explain to us why he told us in December that no rate hike was coming?

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

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — There we go again. Another example, Mr. Speaker, why members opposite simply cannot be taken seriously. This . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Order, please.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Another example, Mr. Speaker, of why the members opposite simply cannot be taken seriously. What this member is actually asking for is a deregulated electricity market, Mr. Speaker, which would mean by implication the privatization of SaskPower, something that we are absolutely not going to do.

In fact, Mr. Speaker, our regulated market has worked very well for the people of this province, along with our family of Crown corporations that have allowed us to attract immense investment into this province, to allocate 300 megawatts for a $12 billion investment — something that Alberta cannot do, Mr. Speaker.

I would note as well, when it’s minus 40, who is keeping the lights on in Alberta? It’s not the Alberta power grid; it’s our coal workers at Coronach.

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

Vicki Mowat: — Well, Mr. Speaker, what I don’t understand is how that minister can’t read our plan. I’d be happy to get him the executive summary if it’s too long.

Mr. Speaker, we know that people are speaking out against this Premier’s power rate hike. They weren’t consulted, and they say that the power hike will do major harm. I’m talking about SARM [Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities], chambers of commerce, CFIB [Canadian Federation of Independent Business], countless small businesses, major industry groups, and everyday taxpayers — basically everyone, Mr. Speaker.

Can the Premier point to one person in this province that isn’t sitting in those benches that actually supports the power rate hike? Name one.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of CIC.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — I could tell you, Mr. Speaker, who has supported their power plan: nobody. Nobody. They have not got one single third-party endorsement for their power plan. And the reason why for that, Mr. Speaker, is because it is a catastrophe. And it would be a disaster for this province.

[14:15]

I can tell you as well who has supported our approach to energy security: IBEW [International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers], the United Mine Workers, the town of Coronach, surrounding RMs [rural municipality], the city of Estevan, the chamber of commerce. The list goes on and on who have supported and endorsed our power plan because it makes sense, Mr. Speaker. Not one single third-party endorsement for theirs, because their plan is a disaster.

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

Legislation regarding Provision of Addictions Services

Vicki Mowat: — Mr. Speaker, the only catastrophe here is that minister’s response.

Speaking of not being consulted, we’re hearing from so many people who say that this Premier has refused to consult on his plans, or lack thereof, for addressing the drug crisis. His Bill 48 is flawed fantasy. It talks about treatment spaces, but the Premier admitted yesterday any current spaces are “largely full.”

Now people are dying. We don’t have a second to waste. We have to get this right. The opposition is going to bring forward a series of amendments that we developed with front-line workers to fix Bill 48. Will the Premier accept our changes?

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I appreciate that the member opposite is bringing up our compassionate intervention legislation that we have in front of the House. I’m very excited to be able to move that bill on to committee so that we can have a conversation about some of the amendments that they are talking about making.

And I mean, in fairness, had they read what was there already, a lot of those are already there and in place. So I’m happy that this is something that we can actually agree with, Mr. Speaker. When we’re talking about individuals and the lives that they live, having an opportunity to get into a life of recovery is really, really important for this side of the House. And I’m hoping that the other side of the House can agree with that, Mr. Speaker.

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

Report from Advocate for Children and Youth

Matt Love: — Mr. Speaker, the report released today by the Saskatchewan Advocate for Children and Youth is both heartbreaking and devastating. Thirteen children under the age of five have died after being exposed to illicit toxic drugs. These are babies. They’re innocent, and now they’re victims of this horrific drug crisis.

What does the Premier say to those who know he’s not doing enough to stop the death of innocent children?

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

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Any death or serious injury to a child is a tragedy, and we take that extremely seriously. We’re committed to improving existing systems and supports to prevent future harm, and we welcome the Advocate for Children and Youth’s report, Mr. Speaker.

The ministry works closely with children, parents, caregivers, community partners, as well as other ministries within government to address the complex issues surrounding mental health and substance abuse, interpersonal abuse, violence, suicide intervention and prevention, Mr. Speaker. This is the advocate’s report that we will continue to work on and, you know, to get to a better place so we can protect and ensure the safety of all children in this province. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Matt Love: — Mr. Speaker, three of the children who died were newborns in their first year on this beautiful planet. The advocate’s report says that children are being exposed to illicit drugs right across the province. There are recommendations from experts on what can be done to stop this crisis and protect our kids.

Will the Premier commit to sitting down with the advocate before spring sitting concludes and reporting back to this House on what he learned and what actions he is going to take? No spin, Premier. Take the meeting. Let’s come together. Let’s save lives.

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

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Again, Mr. Speaker, ensuring the safety and protection of vulnerable children, including newborns, and families is a top priority of this government. Mr. Speaker, we take the Advocate for Children and Youth’s report extremely seriously. We’ve worked with the advocate in the past to make improvements, and we’ll continue to work on those improvements going forward.

Mr. Speaker, this is a commitment from our government that when it comes to ensuring the safety of our children and working with families who are maybe in a vulnerable or in a crisis situation, this is work that we take extremely seriously. And we will be working with the Children and Youth Advocate in the coming weeks.

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

Addictions Services and First Responders

Nicole Sarauer: — Mr. Speaker, new data from the Regina Police Service indicates a staggering 244 drug overdose calls in this city in March alone. Over this past weekend, we know three people died and another 29 overdose calls were recorded. Clearly, Mr. Speaker, the drug crisis has overrun front-line responders. And people will continue to overdose, and many will die if more is not done.

To the Premier, and we ask that he be specific: what if anything has this government done to provide emergency supports to the front-line workers during this massive spike in drug overdoses?

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do thank the member opposite for the question. This is something that our government takes very seriously when we’re looking at the addictions that we have in the province of Saskatchewan and the response that happens.

And I do say thank you to each and every one of those front-line providers that are out there working on the streets every day. We do work with all of those community-based organizations. We’re in constant contact with individuals on the response that is happening.

But what we are offering as a province is treatment, Mr. Speaker. An opportunity to get into recovery. Right here in Regina, we have over 200 spaces specifically that can be accessed, and of course as part of our action plan for mental health and addictions, we already had 500 in place. We’ve added 312 over the past couple of years, and in the next year we plan on adding another 200, Mr. Speaker. And that’s the work that we will continue to do to help people get into recovery.

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

Nicole Sarauer: — Mr. Speaker, in case you didn’t catch that, I think in answer to my question about emergency supports for front-line workers, the answer was nothing. It’s as if this government doesn’t read the news, doesn’t talk to emergency responders or support agencies that are on the front lines.

Well the people on this side of the House are listening, and these groups are begging for emergency help. Not treatment spaces in a year or two that may or may never even open.

What is the Premier doing today before more people in Regina die from drug poisoning?

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We do work closely with our front-line workers including police and emergency services, and that is why one of the things that we’ve enacted is the complex-needs facilities. And we do have one of those within the community of Regina.

This is a very important tool that those officers have, that they are able to take individuals who may be a harm to themselves or others and take them to this facility, because we know that cells are not the right place for them. We know that the right place isn’t for them in an emergency room.

These facilities are designed to put wraparound supports around them, medical treatment. They have individuals that will work with them when they are released the next day to find services to connect them to so that they can find those next steps in life, Mr. Speaker. And of course the whole goal is getting them into recovery.

Provision of Addictions Services

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

Meara Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There is so much wrong with how this government has handled this drug crisis. They have allowed it to spiral completely out of control. The Sask Party’s callous record on this issue is one of abject failure, an approach that has starved public addictions treatment of resources, that has seen homelessness triple in the space of a few years. Deaths are shooting up, Mr. Speaker, and Saskatchewan now has the longest wait times in Canada. And there’s no room at the inn, in their words.

And while they have been slow to respond to the depth of this crisis, that Premier was sure quick to defend Edgewood Health Network, or EHN, the private, for-profit, out-of-province equity firm that he’s handed the keys to on this addictions crisis, Mr. Speaker. Millions have already flown out the door to this private equity, for-profit company.

Is the Premier aware of concerns raised by a community in New Brunswick, who cited safety concerns with EHN’s practices and a lack of community consultation?

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government is focused on ensuring people struggling with addictions challenges can access timely and effective care. And I would note that there are occasions when individuals can actually get into care the next day. And we do have several beds across the province which I’ve talked about that we are adding to, Mr. Speaker.

And we will work with those community partners, like EHN, who are experts in treating addictions challenges and allow us to expand our capacity faster to ensure more individuals get connected to the treatment they need when they need it, Mr. Speaker. We don’t get involved in that process. This is a very third-party process where qualified companies are chosen through a rigorous, fair, and competitive bidding process. And they do have to show strong qualifications, Mr. Speaker. And they have provided good service for us here in the province of Saskatchewan.

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

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, the question was, was the Premier aware? And that was not an answer. And we are going to keep demanding answers. Because people don’t want the appearance of action; they want results. And compassion is measured by results, Mr. Speaker.

Now this Premier is putting us on a truly reckless path, one that has the out-of-province profit motives of EHN on a collision course with the coerced treatment of the very most vulnerable.

The concerns over EHN aren’t just coming out of New Brunswick, Mr. Speaker. Has the Premier spoken to officials from the Northwest Territories, who walked away from working with EHN completely over concerns over the treatment of Indigenous clients?

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Within the recovery-oriented system of care, which is what all of the vendors that we work with, the companies that we work with have to fall under, there is a very strict protocol. There has to be Indigenous components within that programming, Mr. Speaker. It is right there within contracts.

But what I would say is, within our action plan for mental health and addictions, since we enacted that there has been a 28 per cent decrease in overdose deaths. Now, Mr. Speaker, we want that number to be zero. But we see that the work that we are doing is starting to work. We will continue to do that work with community partners, and we will continue to offer recovery, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I am just going to remind the government ministers that connecting to the questions is important. And I know that there’s multiple aspects sometimes to those questions. So I just want to remind us, do your best.

Who’s next? I recognize the member from Regina Rochdale.

Supports for Students with Diabetes

Joan Pratchler: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today we’re joined by a courageous and resilient girl named Kinsley Simmons. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, just seven years old, Kinsley has faced a life-changing journey with strength, sparkle, and a smile that lights up a room.

However this Sask Party government has not created a standard of care that allows Kinsley to continue her education. Kinsley has only been able to attend school for five days since her diagnosis.

It’s 2026. Why hasn’t the minister created a standard of care for diabetic students?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I would like to begin by welcoming Kinsley and her mom and dad, Jennifer and Clay, to their Legislative Assembly here this afternoon. And would be happy to meet with them after question period if they so choose just to chat further about Kinsley’s and their family’s situation.

Now, Mr. Speaker, I’ve been kept well aware of the circumstances surrounding Kinsley’s education. I know that Jennifer has contacted my office on a number of occasions. We’ve exchanged some emails, as recently as an email, I believe, yesterday. Jennifer wrote to my office with respect to diabetic education, with respect to standardized training and consistent implementation.

Mr. Speaker, what I’ve said to the team at the Ministry of Education is that as per our expectations in the government and with the Ministry of Education, we fully expect that every child, every student has every opportunity to receive education in the classroom, recognizing of course that there will be challenges and there’ll be cases like Kinsley’s with medical complexities and medical challenges.

So I’ve committed to, through the Ministry of Education, working with our school divisions and this particular one to see what steps can be taken to help address some of these concerns so that Kinsley can get the education she needs in the classroom, Mr. Speaker.

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

[14:30]

Joan Pratchler: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Parents such as Jennifer and Clayton in your gallery should not have to choose between their child’s safety and going to school. They can’t go to work if Kinsley can’t go to school.

Without clear, province-wide standards, students such as Kinsley are vulnerable. Diabetes Canada has called on this government to mandate consistent school-based standards of care that ensure no child’s safety or education is at risk.

To the minister: does he think it’s okay that students such as Kinsley do not receive an education because they have diabetes? And where is the support from the provincial government to make that happen?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just to reiterate what I said in a previous answer, it is this government’s and my expectation that Saskatchewan schools are giving every student in this province their opportunity to get their best start when it comes to education, Mr. Speaker. And that’s through our 27 school divisions and through other means as well.

Mr. Speaker, again it’s my expectation that the school divisions will be doing everything they possibly can to support students like Kinsley and the medical requirements that she has as a diabetic. And we’ll continue to have these conversations and discussions.

I know that the family had an opportunity to meet with the Minister of Health earlier this spring to talk about diabetes and also in addition to just that from a health perspective, but also to further the conversation with us in education with respect to how that is addressed within the school system, Mr. Speaker.

So I would be happy to meet with the family after question period today, discuss that further, and work towards creating an even stronger education system for all of our students, Mr. Speaker.

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

Procurement from In-Province Companies

Sally Housser: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Saskatchewan is at such a critical moment for resource development and investment in infrastructure. And this critical time represents opportunity to strengthen our local economies and workforce and ensure we are generating lasting benefits for our communities. Now more than ever we need our government to lead by example. We need a government that puts local Saskatchewan communities and workers first.

Will this government commit to ensuring that Saskatchewan workers and communities will benefit from all our major public infrastructure projects?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement.

Hon. Sean Wilson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement have had success in awarding major amounts of contracts to local contractors. Over 90 per cent of our government procurement is awarded to Saskatchewan suppliers. And over the past five years, this government has awarded more than 99 per cent of procurements to Canadian companies, with less than 1 per cent awarded to US [United States] companies. SaskBuilds is always working to procure more Saskatchewan and Canadian goods while getting best value for the taxpayer dollar. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Sally Housser: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well the Regina bypass and Shercom and the Great Plains power station might argue with some of that statement. And honestly, if this is something that the government is already doing out of the good of their hearts, they should have no problem in putting it into writing, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, when public dollars are invested, Saskatchewan workers are the ones who must see the benefit. The members on this side of the House understand that when our workers and our communities are succeeding, we all succeed. People are tired of seeing our public dollars leave the province through this government’s lax procurement policy that hands millions of dollars to out-of-province companies.

Why won’t the Sask Party support Saskatchewan workers and Saskatchewan jobs?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement.

Hon. Sean Wilson: — Thank you again, Mr. Speaker. As I just said, we’ve awarded over 90 per cent of our contracts to Saskatchewan-owned companies. I just met with Derek Halldorson from the International Masonry Institute, and we had that exact discussion.

Now how would that compare to the NDP if they were to form government? Well if you look at their 2024 election platform, they were proposing we violate key interprovincial trade deals with their reckless hire-local plan. Keep in mind, this would not only lock out our Saskatchewan companies from other provincial markets, but by their own reckless definition, companies like Evraz would no longer qualify as a Saskatchewan company. Mr. Speaker, on this side of the House we stand up for Saskatchewan companies.

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

Nathaniel Teed: — Mr. Speaker, you know, there isn’t a week that goes by that my office doesn’t receive a complaint from a worker about a concern of out-of-province plates on their work sites. We hear and see this issue with our own eyes on major work sites or on the highways across Saskatchewan. Day after day the Saskatchewan workers are left out, forcing many to go without or be away from their families just to put food on the table.

So I ask, will the minister find his feet today and commit to Saskatchewan workers that their livelihoods will be prioritized over those from out of province?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement.

Hon. Sean Wilson: — Once again, Mr. Speaker, over 90 per cent of contracts in Saskatchewan are awarded to Saskatchewan contractors.

Mr. Speaker, the NDP talk a lot about hiring local, but when given the chance to practise what they preach, they fall short every single time. Mr. Speaker, the member from Saskatoon Eastview hired an out-of-province GOTV coordinator. The member from Regina Mount Royal had a campaign manager from Edmonton. The Leader of the Opposition, representing the constituency that we are in right now, hired a campaign manager from . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Even though they shouldn’t have been talking from their seats, they did have a good point. We are talking about government business. And I think conversely, when we’re talking about provincial politics in the responses, I’m going to . . .

Hon. Sean Wilson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In almost all cases where an out-of-province contractor is chosen, there was no local fit. In cases where out-of-province contractors are chosen, they often end up hiring Saskatchewan contractors. Thank you.

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

Safety Measures at Railway Crossing

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Yesterday I spoke of Alyssa Thompson, who was recently struck and killed by a train at a rail crossing in Churchbridge. She was unfortunately the second fatality at this crossing in under two years.

I asked the minister if he would meet the community’s ongoing multi-year requests to make meaningful safety improvements at that dangerous crossing. It’s such an obvious, reasonable, and important ask, Mr. Speaker, by residents afraid for the next accident. But all the minister said, he was aware of the problem and would continue to work to “try to get something solved.”

Mr. Speaker, the Sask Party government has been aware of this problem for years but have been more inclined to kick straightforward, life-saving solutions down the road, suggesting it’s not directly their problem. It’s a serious problem, Mr. Speaker. And he has a second chance to address this today.

Will the Minister of Highways commit today to adding increased safety measures to this dangerous crossing? And when will those safety measures be put in place, avoiding the next preventable fatality?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Highways.

Hon. Kim Gartner: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I had a chance to meet with Mr. Thompson yesterday afternoon, and I expressed my deepest condolences to him for the loss of his wife in that tragic incident.

Ministry of Highways takes transportation safety very serious, whether it’s across our many provincial highways, railways, bridges, or airports. I listened to Mr. Thomspon’s ideas regarding the railway crossing in Churchbridge where the collision occurred in December.

The site of this collision is not a provincially regulated crossing and not on a provincial highway and is therefore regulated by Transport Canada, a federal government department. With that being said though, Mr. Speaker, we have heard the concerns raised regarding this crossing and will remain engaged with the town of Churchbridge on the topic.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill No. 621 — The Public Works and Services (Prioritizing Local Jobs) Amendment Act

Sally Housser: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Bill 621, The Public Works and Services (Prioritizing Local Jobs) Amendment Act be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the member from Regina University that Bill No. 621, The Public Works and Services (Prioritizing Local Jobs) Amendment Act be now introduced and read a first time. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Deputy Clerk: — First reading of this bill.

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

Sally Housser: — At the next sitting of the Assembly, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

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 that it has considered certain estimates and to present its fourth report for the thirtieth legislature, which includes the 2026‑27 estimates and 2025‑26 supplementary estimates no. 2. I move:

That the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies for the thirtieth legislature be now concurred in.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the Chair:

That the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Crown and Central Agencies 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. I recognize the Chair of the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice.

Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice

Blaine McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, I am instructed by the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice to report Bill No. 38, The Building Schools Faster Act without amendment.

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

Hon. Everett Hindley: — 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 Committee of the Whole on Bill No. 38, The Building Schools Faster Act 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. 38 — The Building Schools Faster Act

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that the bill now be 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.

Some Hon. Members: — No.

Speaker Goudy: — Call in the members.

[The division bells rang from 14:42 until 14:46.]

Speaker Goudy: — All those in favour of the motion please stand.

[Yeas — 33]

Moe

Gartner

Kaeding

Marit

Cockrill

Reiter

Hindley

Harrison, J.

Cheveldayoff

Schmalz

Jenson

Weger

Keisig

Martens

Wilson

Beaudry

Rowden

Ross

McLeod, T.

Carr

Crassweller

Steele

Young, C.

Harrison, D.

Weedmark

Kropf

McLeod, B.

Patterson

Bromm

Hilbert

Chan

Thorsteinson

Kasun

Speaker Goudy: — All of those opposed to the motion please stand.

[Nays — 20]

Ritchie

Burki

Mowat

Wotherspoon

Love

Teed

Clarke

McPhail

Conway

Sarauer

Breckner

Blakley

Grewal

Jorgenson

Brar

Gordon

Warrington

Pratchler

Housser

Roy

Clerk Assistant: — Mr. Speaker, those in favour of the motion, 33; those opposed to the motion, 20.

Speaker Goudy: — I declare the motion carried.

Deputy Clerk: — Third reading of this bill.

PRESENTING REPORTS BY STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

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

Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice

Blaine McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, I am instructed by the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice to report Bill No. 39, The Building Schools Faster Consequential Amendment Act, 2025, a bilingual bill, without amendment.

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

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

Speaker Goudy: — The minister has requested leave to waive consideration in the Committee of the Whole on Bill No. 39, The Building Schools Faster Consequential Amendment Act, 2025 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. 39 — The Building Schools Faster Consequential Amendment Act, 2025/Loi de 2025 corrélative de la loi intitulée The Building Schools Faster Act

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. 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 Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice.

Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice

Blaine McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, I’m instructed by the Standing Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs and Justice to report Bill No. 43, The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act with amendment.

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

Hon. Eric Schmalz: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Next sitting.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER

Ruling on Questions of Privilege

Speaker Goudy: — We are going to read the ruling on the questions of privilege.

So on April 27th, 2026 — the first question — the member for Cumberland raised a question of privilege in accordance with rule 12 of the Rules and Procedures of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.

In his submission of evidence, the member for Cumberland noted that on April 23rd, 2026 he was interrupted by the Speaker during his member statement. The member cited rules 18(2), (3), (4), and (6), which outline the rules for members’ statements, and submitted that none of those rules has been broken.

In her response, the Government House Leader outlined the authority of the Speaker, arguing that “The rules do not anticipate every circumstance that may arise in debate,” and that the Speaker has “exclusive authority to interrupt and apply those rules in real time.”

Questions of privilege are serious matters and therefore have a high threshold, as noted by Maingot on page 223 of Parliamentary Privilege in Canada under the heading “A point of order is not a matter of privilege”:

A breach of the Standing Orders or a failure to follow an established practice would invoke a “point of order” rather than a “question of privilege.”

For these reasons, I find the prima facie case has not been established.

Furthermore, while our rules don’t specifically address content of members’ statements, the House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Fourth Edition does speak directly to this. In section 10.6 under the guidelines for statements by members, notes that “personal attacks are not permitted.”

And 10.8 in the same section, states:

The Speaker retains discretion over the acceptability of each statement and has the authority to order members to resume their seats if improper use is being made of this standing order.

Finally, I would like to remind the members of our collective responsibilities here. I quote from Speaker Toth’s ruling here on March 31st, 2010 on a similar matter:

Personal attacks and innuendos have no place in the proceedings of this Assembly. The comments are hurtful and only create disorder and retaliation. I ask members not to make the period for members’ statements into a series of attack ads. I ask you to not bring personal attacks and offensive opinions into this Chamber.

So the second question of privilege, on April 27th, 2026 I received a letter from the Government House Leader in which he raised a question of privilege under the provisions of rule 12 of the Rules and Procedures of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.

He alleged that the member for Cumberland breached the privilege of the Speaker when he publicly released a letter requesting that the Speaker release confidential details about another member’s constituency office lease shortly after delivering that letter to the Speaker. The Government House Leader alleges that in doing so, the member was calling into question the impartiality of the Speaker and attempting to influence the Speaker’s decision to release the lease information.

The Opposition House Leader provided me with a written reply in accordance to rule 12(4). In the response, she argued that the member for Cumberland was only asking for the release of the lease information in his letter and was not questioning the authority or independence of the Speaker. I have reviewed the case and am prepared to make a ruling.

On page 255 of the Parliamentary Privilege in Canada, 2nd edition, J.P. (Joseph) Maingot explains that:

Spoken outside the House by a Member . . . language reflecting on the Member’s Parliamentary capacity would be considered contempt of the House; it has been inadvertently treated as a matter of unparliamentary language that should be withdrawn rather than brought to the attention of the House by way of privilege, which is the proper practice.

Maingot goes on to note that while the Speaker typically does not ask members to retract unparliamentary words spoken or written outside the House:

If one Member speaking outside of the House reflects improperly on the conduct of another Member’s parliamentary activities and the matter is raised as a matter of privilege in the House, the Speaker certainly has jurisdiction to examine those same words and determine if there is a prima facie case of privilege or contempt of the House.

In determining whether the member for Cumberland’s actions constitute a breach of privilege, it is important to note that, “to constitute a breach of privilege a statement reflecting on the conduct of a member in his capacity as a Member . . . must tend to lower the House in the eyes of the public” as Abraham and Hawtrey outline in page 44 of the Parliamentary Dictionary.

Maingot reiterates this point when stating on page 250 of Parliamentary Privilege in Canada that actions can “obstruct the House in the performance of its functions by diminishing the respect due it.” Several comments made by the member for Cumberland in his letter and subsequent media activity could indeed be interpreted as calling into question the impartiality of the Speaker and the integrity of the entire Assembly.

There are a number of safeguards and processes in our parliamentary system. Rather than avail himself of the proper channels, however, the member has chosen to publicly bring a dark cloud upon this institution.

As stated in House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Fourth Edition, when a question of privilege has been raised the function of the Speaker is limited to determining if a prima facie case has been established, and it is the responsibility of the House to decide whether a breach of privilege or a contempt has been committed.

At the heart of the current question is whether my privilege as a Speaker of the Assembly has been breached. To maintain the integrity and respect of this Assembly and institution it is important for and the responsibility of this Assembly as a collective to decide on the matter.

Rule 12(5) requires that I must decide whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed or not, and this is a difficult issue. I have taken significant time to review the matter and reluctantly I find that there are grounds for a prima facie case and for the matter to be considered as a question of privilege by this Assembly.

That’s the end of the ruling. And just notes for us, before asking the Government House Leader now to move his motion, I would like to remind members of the process. Once the Government House Leader has moved his question of privilege motion it shall be taken into consideration immediately in accordance with rule 12(6). Pursuant to rule 12(7), the Government House Leader may speak for a maximum of one hour and each subsequent member may speak for no more than 45 minutes — which I’m hoping we’re not going to.

Before the question is put, the Government House Leader will be permitted 15 minutes to close the debate. If the matter has not yet been concluded by 4:50 p.m. today, 10 minutes before the ordinary time of adjournment, I will interrupt proceedings and put every question necessary to dispose of the main motion in accordance with rule 12(8).

I recognize the Government House Leader.

MOTIONS

Privilege

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I will make some brief remarks at the close of which I will be moving the motion that accompanied my letter to you on April 27th. And I will be asking my fellow members to support that motion.

Mr. Speaker, we are all hon. members of this Assembly which is why I rise today, not with pleasure but rather with disappointment, that one among us has breached privilege.

[15:00]

As the members of this House know, Mr. Speaker, a breach of privilege in this place is considered one of the most egregious violations by a member. We all speak frequently about what an honour it is to be here, what an honour it is to stand in our place to be recognized as a representative of our communities to address this Assembly.

We use that word deliberately, Mr. Speaker — honour. It’s more than just a word. In order to be meaningful it requires corresponding action. Our behaviour in this place and our conduct in the exercise of our duties to the people that we serve, that behaviour matters, Mr. Speaker.

We have clear rules and procedures that have been developed over time with purpose and for a good reason, and as hon. members we are all required to follow those rules. We don’t have the luxury of picking which ones apply or which ones can be ignored. And certainly none of us is entitled to say that we are above those rules. Yet here we are, Mr. Speaker.

You have found a prima facie case that the member from Cumberland has breached privilege, your privilege no less, Mr. Speaker. That amounts to contempt of this House.

I’ll quote House of Commons Procedure and Practice, Fourth edition, 2025 at page 54, paragraph 3.11 where it reads:

Any disregard of or attack on the rights, powers and immunities of the House and its members . . . is referred to as a “breach of privilege” and is punishable by the House.

That same paragraph goes on to say:

. . . the House also claims the right to punish, as a contempt, any . . . [act] or omission which, though not a breach of a specific privilege, tends to obstruct or impede the House in the performance of its functions, obstructs or impedes any member or officer of the House in the discharge of their duties, or is an offence against the authority or dignity of the House.

And finally it says:

A contempt does not have to actually obstruct or impede the House or a member; it merely has to have the tendency to produce such results. In that sense, all breaches of privilege are contempts of the House.

Mr. Speaker, there is no honour in having to withdraw a comment or apologize for it. It’s not something to laugh about or take any pride in. There is no honour in violating the rules of this Assembly. And there is certainly no honour in breaching privilege and committing contempt of this House, which brings us to where we are today, Mr. Speaker.

As your prima facie case ruling in this case has established, the member from Cumberland has shown a regular pattern of disregard or disrespect for the Chair. He has frequently ignored rulings of the Speaker, sometimes multiple times per day for multiple days in a row. He has consistently ignored the boundaries of what is appropriate behaviour in this place. And, Mr. Speaker, that member last week went too far.

He carried that inappropriate behaviour outside the Chamber. He called a press conference and distributed a letter to the media demanding that you violate the privileges of another hon. member of this House. But it didn’t stop there. Seemingly in an effort to capitalize on what they saw as a political opportunity, that member in the NDP caucus published an attack-style infographic on their social media using your image, Mr. Speaker, to demand that you release confidential information of another hon. member.

The member from Cumberland also recorded and published a video that was posted on his and other members of the NDP caucus’s social media, where he again called upon you to violate the privileges of another hon. member of this House as though he was entitled to it, Mr. Speaker. All of this was done after the letter had been sent to you and before you had had a chance to address that letter, in what appears to be an attempt to apply public and political pressure to your office.

Again, Mr. Speaker, it is contempt of this Assembly to “obstruct or impede . . . [a] member or officer of the House in the discharge of their duties.”

Mr. Speaker, I will quote from Beauchesne’s paragraph 167, which speaks to the unique role of your role in both parliamentary convention and in academic text. I quote:

The Presiding Officer, while but a servant of the House, is entitled on all occasions to be treated with the greatest attention and respect by the individual Members because the office embodies the power, dignity, and honour of the House itself.

Mr. Speaker, in order to preside over the activities of this Assembly, as you well know and have carried out with great dignity, the impartiality of the Chair must not be put into question, ever.

I’ll again quote from Beauchesne’s, this time at 168, subparagraph 1:

Confidence in the impartiality of the Speaker is an indispensable condition of the successful working of procedure, and many conventions exist which have as their object, not only to ensure the impartiality of the Speaker but also, to ensure that there is a general recognition of the Speaker’s impartiality.

And finally, Mr. Speaker, Beauchesne’s, paragraph 71, to maintain the impartiality of the Speaker and give due respect to its role, it says, “The Speaker should be protected against reflections on . . . [their] actions.”

These are serious matters and ought not be viewed lightly, Mr. Speaker. As hon. members, we need to behave honourably. And should the Speaker ever find that one of us has run afoul of the rules, that member ought to demonstrate remorse and humility, acknowledging their wrongdoing, and hopefully altering their behaviour moving forward, to show greater respect for their fellow members, for this institution, and especially towards the Speaker as the Chair of this Assembly.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I will move the following motion:

That the actions of the member for Cumberland on April 22, 2026, constitutes a breach of privilege of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan resulting in contempt by attempting to influence a decision of the Speaker, and by publicly requesting the Speaker violate the privilege of another member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.

That the member from Cumberland apologize to the Speaker and the Assembly for his actions and remove any social media posts containing a letter and infographic.

I so move, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the Government House Leader:

That the actions of the member for Cumberland on April 22nd, 2026, constitutes a breach of privilege of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan resulting in contempt by attempting to influence a decision by the Speaker, and by publicly requesting the Speaker violate the privilege of another member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan.

That the member from Cumberland apologize to the Speaker and the Assembly for his actions and remove any social media posts containing the letter and infographic.

I recognize the Opposition House Leader.

Nicole Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise to enter into debate on the Government House Leader’s motion and ask that the Assembly find that there be no breach of privilege in this particular situation. Of course you have found that there is a prima facie case, but finding an actual breach of privilege requires a higher standard.

And I don’t feel I need to quote from Beauchesne’s or any of our parliamentary procedural history. I do feel in this particular instance, Mr. Speaker, the facts speak for themselves.

I’m going to start by quoting from the letter in question, the letter that was sent to the Speaker on April 22nd, 2026. And it says:

As you know, all MLAs are entrusted with funds for the honour of representing the people of Saskatchewan, and as Speaker elected by all MLAs, you have a duty to ensure that all members adhere to the rules.

And then going forward he says . . . it quotes yourself, Mr. Speaker, in a media article where you said, “It is my understanding that within about a week, Mr. Cheveldayoff signed a lease that was consistent with our BOIE directives.”

Mr. Speaker, I highlight these portions of the letter — you can look at the entirety of the letter, members opposite, to look at the entirety of the letter — to see that clearly this letter was sent to the Speaker not in relation to anything that happened in the Chamber, not in response to any ruling that the Speaker had made within the Chamber, but to the Speaker as Chair of the BOIE [Board of Internal Economy], as the BOIE’s job is to oversee the directives. Which was clear also in the media responses related to this particular issue: that the Speaker of the House has the oversight over our directives.

So just to be clear, this letter was sent to the Speaker. Yes, it’s a little unorthodox. But it was in his capacity as Chair of BOIE, and that’s not an abnormal thing for us to do in the opposition, Mr. Speaker. There have been multiple times where we as members of the opposition have written to the Chairs of various committees and then subsequently shared those letters in social media posts and to the media in news releases, Mr. Speaker.

It’s abnormal for it to be to the Speaker, yes, but it’s also abnormal for us to send letters to the BOIE at all. Very, very normal for us to call for the Chairs of various committees to do things, and I brought one particular instance — not the only instance, but one particular instance — to this Chamber today just to highlight this point.

In January 21st, 2025 we had written to the Chair of the Standing Committee on the Economy, calling for a special meeting of that committee to discuss the Bunge-Viterra merger, Mr. Speaker, and on that very same day — so before the Chair had the ability to respond to that letter — put out a news release sharing that letter and explaining to the public why we made that clear. So we said in the news release dated January 21st, also 2025 — this is a quote:

As Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on the Economy, MLA Tajinder Grewal wrote to Chair MLA James Thorsteinson to convene the emergency meeting and develop urgent recommendations to create good jobs and attract investment going forward.

This is just to highlight both the fact that it’s not abnormal for us to write to Chairs of committees and it’s not abnormal for us to share that information to the public. In fact it would be very strange if you asked for us to not share it with the public, the work that members opposite are doing. In fact it’s very important, we would argue, that the public is aware of what’s going on both within this Chamber but within the committees as well.

Similarly on the comment about the social media post, again the sharing of the graphic is only as a result of the fact that the Speaker is the Chair of the committee, of the BOIE, which oversees the work that is in question, Mr. Speaker. It’s not to question the rulings that were in the Chamber. It’s not to question what was happening during question period. It was simply because the Speaker is the Chair of the BOIE. Again I reiterate, it’s a strange situation; that’s for sure. It’s not normal for us to write letters to the Chair of the BOIE, but this situation is not normal, Mr. Speaker.

I just also wanted to comment because it was in the member opposite’s letter, and it was touched on vaguely in his remarks this afternoon around the actions that are occurring during question period. And I just want to impress upon members of this Assembly the importance of freedom of speech, and in particular the importance of freedom of speech in this Chamber as a function of debate, of healthy debate.

Mr. Speaker, you of course have a role to play in ensuring that, as referee of ensuring that these questions and answers are within the rules. You have a job of enforcing the rules as they exist, but you can’t enforce the rules if you don’t get the opportunity to hear the questions. So if we feel that the topic and the questions are in order, we’re going to push it. We’re going to ask those questions. Nobody in this Chamber — nobody — has the right to tell the opposition what topics we can and cannot talk about, and we hold that right very dearly.

[15:15]

We in the opposition have an important job to do in this Assembly, and we will not be prevented by this government from doing that. Frankly, Mr. Speaker, it’s what’s expected of the official opposition. These were not public attacks on the rulings of the Speaker. Not at all. We take this all very seriously. We are all hon. members, Mr. Speaker.

I note that this comes up at a time, in my time here in the Chamber, where there has been a lot of turnover in this Chamber. And as this government ages, there are less and less government members who have experienced what opposition is like and, I would argue, as a result have less and less understanding and respect for the role of the opposition.

So while it may not be what the government wants, it may not be what the government likes, they might find it distasteful, but it’s the work of the official opposition. It’s what we are here to do and it’s what we will continue to do, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — 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.

Some Hon. Members: — No.

Speaker Goudy: — Call in the members.

[The division bells rang from 15:16 until 15:20.]

Speaker Goudy: — All those in favour of the motion please stand.

[Yeas — 33]

Moe

Gartner

Kaeding

Marit

Cockrill

Reiter

Hindley

Harrison, J.

Cheveldayoff

Schmalz

Jenson

Weger

Keisig

Martens

Wilson

Beaudry

Rowden

Ross

McLeod, T.

Carr

Crassweller

Steele

Young, C.

Harrison, D.

Weedmark

Kropf

McLeod, B.

Patterson

Bromm

Hilbert

Chan

Thorsteinson

Kasun

Speaker Goudy: — All those opposed to the motion please stand.

[Nays - 20]

Ritchie

Burki

Mowat

Wotherspoon

Love

Teed

Clarke

McPhail

Conway

Sarauer

Breckner

Blakley

Grewal

Jorgenson

Brar

Gordon

Warrington

Pratchler

Housser

Roy

Deputy Clerk: — Mr. Speaker, those in favour of the motion, 33; those opposed, 20.

Speaker Goudy: — I declare the motion carried. I recognize the member from Cumberland.

Jordan McPhail: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I apologize.

Speaker Goudy: — I appreciate the apology and accept the apology. The motion requires also about the social media.

Jordan McPhail: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I commit to removing the post.

Speaker Goudy: — I appreciate that.

Can I say, as a Speaker, it’s tough to be caught in the middle on something like this. Something went on out east; there’s been conversations about social media posts. And I think we’re in a time where many nations and jurisdictions are more divided possibly than any other time in our generation. And I do appreciate the submission to the entire Assembly. And that’s how democracy works, and I appreciate everyone’s participation in the overall process. And it’s extremely humbling, honestly, to be the Speaker, and I appreciate it. Let’s move on to Orders of the Day.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

ADJOURNED DEBATES

SECOND READINGS

Bill No. 48

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

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

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure and honour to be on my feet today to enter into debate on Bill No. 48, The Compassionate Intervention Act.

You know, this is a bill that many of the members on my side of the House have spoken very eloquently to, very personally, very vulnerably about the impacts that the drug crisis in Saskatchewan has had on them, on their families, on their communities, on their constituencies, on their constituents. And I want to take a moment as I open here just to thank them for their words, to thank them for their care, for their thought that they have brought to the Assembly, and for the advocacy that they do and the perspectives that they bring and share here in this Assembly.

I specifically wanted to thank my colleague the member from Saskatoon Centre for her exceptional work on this bill and on this file, alongside with the member from Regina Douglas Park and others on the team.

You know, the drug crisis continues to get worse, Mr. Speaker. We see this across the province. And it touches so many, so many folks in Saskatchewan and across Canada. But it is the responsibility of the provincial government to try and solve this issue here in Saskatchewan.

And I think what we need on this piece when it comes to the drug crisis in this province is we need to have all of the chips on the table. We need transparency around, what is the data actually telling us? What is actually happening in terms of treatment spaces, in terms of people being turned away, in terms of how many times the police are being called, how many times first responders are responding to overdoses? We need to have all of that data, all of the information on the table so that we can come up with a plan that is evidence based, that is thoughtful, and that actually attacks the issue and tries to solve the problem that we want to solve.

And the issue with Bill No. 48: it is a flawed piece of legislation. It is looking at a very small number of individuals. And I am worried that this is the government’s solution for the drug crisis in this province: that by forcing a small number of individuals into forced treatment, we can just, you know, clap our hands and be done with the situation.

I think what we need is a very high-level view of, again, what is going on in this province when it comes to the drug crisis, when it comes to overdoses, when it comes to mental health and addiction because we see this impacting so many parts of Saskatchewan. It’s not just people living on the street. It is affecting housing. It is affecting health. It is affecting crime and justice and safety and first responders and fire.

And I even think . . . You know, I think about the STC [Saskatchewan Transportation Company] and how people now no longer have the ability to get back to their communities, especially in the North. I think about the impacts of wildfires that pushed people out of their communities. And after we talked to health care workers in Saskatoon, they talked about how after the wildfires, there was hundreds of people who didn’t return to the North because they weren’t able to or they chose not to, but that are now living homeless in Saskatoon.

And we can’t just slap a band-aid on this with one bill and think that this is going to solve everything. We need a much larger, thoughtful approach to how we are going to solve this crisis. And I think a lot of that . . . or what would be very helpful in this conversation and this debate is transparency in the actual numbers and data that we are seeing in Saskatchewan in municipalities, in health care facilities, in policing, in corrections, and all of those things. And that is something that we don’t see out of this government.

[15:30]

When we ask simple questions about what is the wait time for treatment in this province when it comes to addictions services, we cannot get a straight answer out of this government. And that’s really disappointing because this is about people. This is about families. This is about someone’s child. Someone’s dad. Someone’s mom. I mean I can go through the list. But these are about people that need help.

And what is the best way when we are, as the provincial government, trying to address this crisis? You know, how are we ensuring that we remember that this is about people? I don’t think Bill 48 does that. It has, you know, a fancy name, The Compassionate Intervention Act, but I don’t see that reflected in this bill.

So I’m going to end my comments here now, Mr. Speaker. But I just know I want to again say thank you to my colleagues for their thoughtful words prior to this. They’ve said many things that I have been thinking and feeling on behalf of my constituents, on behalf of my family and friends.

And with that, I will move to adjourn debate on Bill 48 today.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Speaker Goudy: — Carried.

Bill No. 57

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Jeremy Harrison that Bill No. 57 — The Information Services Corporation Amendment Act, 2026 be now read a second time.]

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

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s good to be on my feet to provide some words with respect to Bill No. 57, The Information Services Corporation Amendment Act.

You know, Mr. Speaker, we’ve asked some questions in the House with respect to this legislation, the intent on the part of the government. Some of the aspects of this legislation I think are quite concerning to the members on this side, not the least of which is repealing the section that limited the 15 per cent on voting shares for any party except for the Crown; removing regulation-making power concerning rules to determine what counts as an associate and the dividends paid to same; repealing the ban on dividends paid to any party wrongfully holding more than the legislated 15 per cent of voting rights being exercised; for changing the formula for appointing board members; and changing the way that the golden share, so to speak, the government holds in ISC [Information Services Corporation of Saskatchewan] is dealt with.

I’ll make a few comments I think in this regard. Generally speaking it really makes one wonder what the government is doing here. We have seen a number of our Crown corporations that are being privatized by stealth. Bit by bit, contract by contract, outsource by outsource, we are losing control and an interest in the vital corporations and the services that they provide to the people of this province.

And I think it’s essential to reiterate the reason why Saskatchewan has a long, cherished history of Crown corporations. And the simple reason for it is because nobody else was going to come in and do the job. That’s why we have SaskPower. That’s why we have SaskEnergy. That’s why we have SGI [Saskatchewan Government Insurance].

Because there were times before that, Mr. Speaker, in some of these areas, where a private company had total control of the market. They determined the types of service, the quality of the service, the location of the service, and ultimately the price of the service. And ISC is one of those corporations that does that.

Now I will say for the record, Mr. Speaker, I’m all for competition, and I believe in the principle that if we have more competition in areas in our economy where we have more investment, more jobs, better selection, better pricing, better services, or better products, we on this side would all gladly agree with that, right? But that’s all dependant on the market, and Saskatchewan is — for as proud and mighty as our 1.25 million people are — a small market.

And this is the kind of service . . . Let’s face it; it is a government-owned, government-controlled monopoly. And what Bill 57 seeks to do is to turn it into — eventually — a private for-profit monopoly. I don’t see how we get ahead here. I see that the government is saying, well no, we’re going to safeguard jobs in the office and the golden share, we’re going to protect, you know, the data, the third-party information, etc., etc. But I don’t see how diluting the government’s control of this corporation is going to ensure that we have a say in any of this down the road.

This is clearly paving the way for privatization. I don’t know why they just didn’t bother coming out with it. On the one hand they want to pretend it’s a Crown corporation — oh, yeah, we got a stake in it. But you won’t be controlling it. And when you don’t control it, then you leave it to private interests to determine what happens in this province, which is the exact reason why a company like ISC began as a Crown corporation. And the same would go for any of our other vital Crowns.

We have lost Crowns in this province. And I will remind this Assembly of a time at the end of the Devine years, a blatant attempt to privatize more of our Crowns in a futile attempt that, thank God, the Romanow government put an end to when they got in.

All this bill will seek to do is lessen our control over a vital service, a vital service that costs business owners money. We have an interest in it as residents of this province. Homeowners have an interest in it. Businesses have an interest in it. Industry has an interest in it. Farmers, producers have an interest in it.

And all this will do will outsource the jobs. It’ll trickle. It won’t happen overnight. It’ll trickle its way out. And then eventually the capital side, the office jobs, they’ll be outsourced, they’ll be gone. Because quite frankly what we’re talking about with ISC is primarily what? A paper exercise. A digital exercise. And so as we’ve seen from the major tech companies on the planet, that could happen anywhere. It doesn’t have to happen here. It doesn’t have to happen in Canada. It doesn’t have to happen in North America. We could outsource it to China. We could outsource it to anywhere — wherever there’s a server — maybe with some token offices to collect paper, put them into a scanner, and send them off.

All this will do, Mr. Speaker, will increase the price of doing business in this province. And the people of this province will lose an interest in a vital service and ultimately will be held captive by a purely private, for-profit monopoly who will not care about the quality of the service. And they sure as heck won’t care about the price because they know they gotcha.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I will end my remarks on Bill No. 57, and I will move to adjourn debate.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

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

Hon. Lori Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I move that this House do now adjourn.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

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

[The Assembly adjourned at 15:39.]

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

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