Brad Crassweller: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, it’s my honour to introduce some special guests here today — one group seated in the west gallery and another in the east gallery behind me.

But joining us here today we have numerous folks that have been a part of CKRM, or were a part of CKRM, and they’re behind me in the east gallery here. And they’re celebrating 100 years on the air. I’ll read their names. And if you could just give us a quick wave, that would be fantastic. Joining us today we have Matthew Hill, Tina Svedahl, Cody Glydon, Gloria Evans, Colin Lovequist, Cindy Michel, Perry Nyhus, Ryan Young, John Cairns, Jim Smalley, Brittany Marino, and of course Willy Cole.

I’ll have more to say in a member’s statement shortly, but I’d ask all members to join me in thanking all these individuals for being here today and for your part in the great radio station CKRM.

Mr. Speaker, I also have a school group here today. I have 48 grade 8 students seated in the west gallery here from Emerald Ridge Elementary in White City, joined by their teachers Andrew Longstaff, Melissa Sullivan, Ryan Hillstead, and Kristin Hacault.

Mr. Speaker, on March 25th I attended one of the nights of their production of Beauty and the Beast, and it was just a fantastic production — tremendous effort and a great success of two nights running. So I’m looking forward to some ice cream and hanging out with these young people, getting some good questions after question period. And I’d ask all members to join me in welcoming them to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, it’s a tremendous honour to join with the member opposite to welcome our esteemed guests to their Assembly here today with CKRM. A hundred years is a remarkable thing, Mr. Speaker, and all of those that are here with us today and all those that have been a part of building CKRM and its success need to be very proud of what they’ve built in this province. It’s an institution to this province.

In many ways CKRM is the soundtrack to Saskatchewan. When you have CKRM on, you’re getting ag updates and local news and community and sporting events, Mr. Speaker, with leaders and representatives and broadcasters with deep connections to this province. I’ve grown up with CKRM. Still love it to this day — the SportsCage and the rest of it, Mr. Speaker.

But I want to welcome everyone that’s here. Now I don’t have the full list of all of the names of everyone that’s here today, but you’ve got . . . You know, we can remember legends like Fred King, but here today we’ve got legends in this Assembly, Mr. Speaker. I see people like Willy Cole — man, that Flea Market, Mr. Speaker. I think you need to bring back the Flea Market there, folks. We might be able to vote for that unanimously in this legislature here today on this final sitting day.

To current leadership, like Cody and Gloria: you do a beautiful job showcasing this province. You honour the people of it, the communities that make it strong. I think, Gloria, you were just out yesterday, last night, out supporting a Souls Harbour event. And that epitomizes your kind of service and leadership, all of your service and leadership over the years.

Jim Smalley, I mean what a legend in agriculture and in this province. He hasn’t aged a bit. Look at him up there, Mr. Speaker. You know, the focus that he put on agriculture and the world’s best producers and proud rural communities is something that we all need to say thank you for.

Perry Nyhus, awesome to have Perry here and his leadership over the years. And one of the warmest, kindest people in the community and in radio is Colin Lovequist. And Colin, it’s great to see you here, my friend. Thank you for your years of service and leadership showcasing the best of this province.

I could go on and on, but on behalf of a grateful opposition and a grateful province, I ask all members to join with me to celebrate all the leaders and legends that have joined us here today, all those that have been involved in those 100 years of success. We wish you well for the next 100 years moving forward. And in the words of Jim Smalley, “and good farming.”

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Trade and Export.

Hon. Warren Kaeding: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, seated in the Speaker’s gallery, I’d like to introduce Montana senator, John Brenden. As well as being a farmer and a businessman, Senator Brenden is a three-term state senator and has served on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks commission and the Northwest power planning commission.

Senator Brenden currently serves as Montana Governor Gianforte’s delegate to the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region organization, where I know a number of our members have had the pleasure of working with him, especially the member from Last Mountain-Touchwood, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan shares a very close economic relationship with the state of Montana, particularly in agriculture and rural economies. The Minister of Ag and I had a very productive discussion this morning, certainly talking about enhancing our trade relationship between our two great jurisdictions.

So, Mr. Speaker, we’re very honoured to have Senator Brenden with us here today, and I ask all members to join in welcoming him to our Legislative Assembly.

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

Aleana Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s my privilege to join in with the minister opposite and welcome Senator Brenden here to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly on behalf of the official opposition. I want to recognize the close relationship between your state and our beautiful province here.

Thank you for your work, both with PNWER [Pacific NorthWest Economic Region] — which, as has been noted, is just an exceptional organization that does such good work for building those close ties between members — and also for your ongoing work as a neighbour with whom we share so much in common, both today and into the future. So on behalf of the official opposition, I’d once more like to ask all members to join me in welcoming Senator Brenden to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly.

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

Travis Keisig: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to join the minister and the member opposite on welcoming Senator John Brenden to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly. Senator Brenden is appointed from Governor Greg Gianforte to serve on the PNWER board, and as the president of PNWER it’s my duty to welcome him to this Legislative Assembly. He does fantastic work all across the Pacific Northwest region, Mr. Speaker.

And something that I really want to highlight in Senator John Brenden’s political career, he had the privilege of casting Montana’s electoral college vote for the president of the United States in the 2016 presidential election. So that is a true honour that that senator received. So please join me in welcoming Senator John Brenden to the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly.

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

Joan Pratchler: — Mr. Speaker, I request leave for an extended introduction.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Joan Pratchler: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I’d like to introduce two remarkable Saskatchewan women. As we all know, it’s Nursing Week this week. And one of my nursing friends that went to university too since 2015 is here today, Caitlin Stewart. Caitlin Stewart and I convocated. We also went and did nursing in Malawi, Africa, for a while.

She is now an ER [emergency room] nurse in Pasqua Hospital. She’s worked the ICU [intensive care unit] at Pasqua Hospital. She does travel nursing all the way up to Nunavut and northern Manitoba as well. And right now she is working casual so that she can finish her nurse practitioner program over the next few years. And I can tell you, with Caitlin in that nurse practitioner stream, I know that our health care system on the front lines is in excellent, excellent care. So with that, I’d like everyone to welcome Caitlin to this, her legislature.

And another remarkable powerhouse in our province when it comes to child care is Cara Werner. She comes from Rocanville. She is the director of Dream Big Child Care in Rocanville. And she’s also the Chair of Child Care Now for the Saskatchewan unit. She’s an advocate and shares many, many voices across this province, and especially southern Saskatchewan about our child care situation we have. Welcome, Cara, to this, your legislature.

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

Kevin Weedmark: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would just like to join the member opposite in welcoming Cara and Caitlin to the legislature. I was happy to be in Rocanville last night where there was a meeting with child care providers and parents and board members. It was a great opportunity to hear some input from folks, some feedback on some of the changes in daycare funding. And I just want to say thank you to all the child care directors, the board members, the workers who nurture the youngest people among us.

You know, I was in Moosomin with a very young group of students a couple of weeks ago, and one of the questions — they actually had some great questions that day — one of the questions was, “Do you get nervous when you meet important people?” And I said, “If so, I’d be very, very nervous meeting with you students because you are the future; you’re the future of our province.”

And I just want to say thank you to everyone who works in the sector. Thank you to Cara for inviting me to the meeting last night. And I’d like everyone to join me in welcoming them to this, their Legislative Assembly. Thank you.

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

Jacqueline Roy: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It would seem that one of the themes this morning is strong and ambitious women here in the House. So I would just like to join the members opposite in also recognizing Cindy Michel who’s here today. She is one of my constituents and she’s done a lot of great work. That work has been done mainly in encouraging women to have a voice, whether that’s in politics, whether that’s in business, and regardless of political affiliation. And that’s definitely something we need, Mr. Speaker, is more women in more positions. And I thank her for that role and what she brings to our great province.

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

Hon. Michael Weger: — I request leave for an extended introduction.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, it’s my pleasure to have three guests today that have been very, very involved with the Weyburn Red Wings hockey organization for many years.

Mr. Speaker, I’ll start off with the head coach, Cody Mapes, seated up in the west gallery. Coach Mapes played his Junior A hockey in the SJHL [Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League] with the Notre Dame Hounds, received a scholarship to Portage College in Alberta in the ACAC [Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference], came back to Regina and started his coaching career with the U15 [under 15] AA team for six years, moved over to Weyburn to assistant coach with the Red Wings for two years, and he’s been the head coach and general manager for five years in Weyburn.

Mr. Speaker, every year since Coach Mapes has been coaching the team, we get better. We get better on the ice. We get better in the community. And the team financially is getting stronger as well, Mr. Speaker.

I had the pleasure to go to the awards night for the Weyburn Red Wings, and one thing that Coach Mapes says when he gives his speech to the players is he talks about chasing that feeling. And you can just see the emotion in him when he talks about chasing that feeling, just chasing those wins. And I think lots of us on this side can probably recognize how fun it is to chase that feeling as well. So happy to have Coach Cody Mapes here.

And then, Mr. Speaker, I’m sure the member from Dakota-Arm River would confirm that behind every great hockey team you need a great chaplain. And so I’m very happy to have Ed Fischer here with us as well. Ed was actually the chaplain for the Humboldt Broncos when they won the national championship in 2008, and he’s been the chaplain for the Weyburn Red Wings for 12 years.

Last but definitely not least, Mr. Speaker, we are all in the presence of a legend today, and I introduce Coach Dwight McMillan. Coach McMillan has been a pillar in our community in Weyburn. He has 37 seasons of coaching hockey, Mr. Speaker. He’s humble. He says it’s 1,144 regular season wins in junior hockey, Mr. Speaker. That’s a record. If you added in playoffs, I believe it’s over 1,300 wins as a junior hockey coach — the most winningest junior hockey coach in this country, Mr. Speaker.

[10:15]

Mr. McMillan’s coaching career started with the Weyburn Red Wings in 1972. Had him take the team to two national championships — one at home in 2005 when they won the Royal Bank Cup. And Coach McMillan is very well known for some of his quotes. And so I could go on and on introducing him, but I think there’s a couple quotes I’d like to talk about. When he was asked about what kept him on the bench, he said, “I’ve never really sat down and thought about it, what it is that keeps me coaching. I guess it’s the challenge of winning and of developing young men.” And, Mr. Speaker, that is so true. That’s exactly what Coach McMillan has done.

I had the pleasure last year, Mr. Speaker, to have Coach McMillan decide to assistant coach my son’s ball team with myself and our head coach. And Coach McMillan would give these same speeches to them, and he always referred to these 14‑year-old boys as young men. And I know they recognized that. They appreciated that. And that’s how he treated them, and he developed some young men last season on the ball field as well.

Coach McMillan has been recognized in the hockey hall of fame in Saskatchewan, the softball hall of fame, and the baseball hall of fame for his contributions as a player and as a coach. And I’ll end with this. This is a quote that probably all coaches should pay attention to. He says:

You’re going to win some and you’re going to lose some. I tell young guys starting in as coaches there’ll be lots of lows as well as highs. If you’re not prepared to handle that, you shouldn’t be in the business.

I thank Coach McMillan for his many, many years of coaching and developing young men. I’d ask all members to join me in welcoming these three individuals to this, their Legislative Assembly.

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a tremendous honour to join with the member from Weyburn to welcome these incredible leaders, not just to Weyburn and to the Red Wings but to hockey, Mr. Speaker, and to our province.

It’s a real honour to welcome Cody Mapes to his Assembly. He’s really put together an incredible squad. He ran up against a real tough Bombers team in the playoffs there that ended up going all the way to the Centennial Cup run here, Mr. Speaker, that just ended. I want to wish him continued success with that historical organization. I want to thank Chaplain Fischer for his care of that program and all those within. It’s certainly a very important service to that team.

And as they say, the Weyburn Red Wings are an incredible institution in hockey and to that community, to Weyburn, and to this province, something that’s really seen as a beacon within hockey as far as what’s been built.

So much of that can be pointed to by way of the success and leadership of Coach Dwight McMillan, an incredible leader in this province, in Weyburn, to this institution’s incredible success. He’s in the hockey hall of fame. I believe he’s one of only three coaches that have taken a team to over 1,000 wins, Mr. Speaker, Scotty Bowman and Brian Kilrea being the other two. Seated here in this Assembly is truly a hockey legend and an incredible leader to Weyburn and all those players and families and supporters of that awesome program.

It’s my pleasure to welcome all these leaders of the Weyburn Red Wings, past and present, to their Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — Why do I always forget your . . . Dakota-Arm River. I recognize the member from Dakota-Arm River.

Barret Kropf: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And it’s finally a great day that we get to keep talking more about hockey in the Chamber. The three that have already been introduced up there, I’ve got some personal touches that I just want to welcome you personally.

So Cody I had an opportunity to coach when I was at Notre Dame. He was a great player and I knew that he would go on to being a great coach. And you’ve done a brilliant job in your five years, and now you’ve got 32 more to spend there in Weyburn to try to catch up with Dwight. But great job on all you’re doing in Weyburn, Cody — really proud of you.

Ed, you’ve been around a long time in the chapel circles and all the communities and players that you’ve served over the years. And it was a pleasure to work with you back in those early days when the chaplains were just getting started. And I know that you’re making a big difference as well, and so I appreciate all that you’ve done.

And, Dwight, I’m not sure if anyone’s competed against you more. I grew up in Estevan and I was a stick boy through the ’80s with Gerry James. And we remember all the brawls that we used to have with Weyburn and all those really tough contests. And then I got the chance to play against you and then, of course, coach against you. And I always knew we were in for a battle when we went down that highway to play Weyburn, and it was an honour to do all those things. I want to welcome you to your Legislative Assembly and thank you for all the work that you’ve done over your career in the sport of hockey. Thank you.

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

Jared Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure to be on my feet to introduce a friend of mine, Scott Murray, up in the east gallery this morning. Many of the members on both sides of the House will know Scott’s partner, Victoria Flores, city councillor for Regina Ward 6.

Scott has been working for the Saskatchewan Information and Library Services Consortium for the last about 10 years, and really played a pivotal role in that organization. This is a really cool program in Saskatchewan, the envy of the country, where there is one library service that connects every library across Saskatchewan to a million records and allows you with one library card to access those resources in any community across the province. So really, really a cool program that Scott has made a big impact on.

He is a runner, he loves to bike, he loves to be outside doing all sorts of things, but I think what I love most about Scott is he’s a birdwatcher now. So I’m very excited about this. And any chance I have, Mr. Speaker, to talk about birds on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, like the member from Mount Royal will talk hockey, I’m going to talk birds.

So I want to congratulate Scott on so far sitting as the fourth-best birdwatcher in the Regina county this year. He’s seen 132 species so far since January 1st, and this morning got his 133rd species, a Western Kingbird.

So I ask all members to join me in welcoming my pal Scott Murray to his Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Justice.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With all due respect to the member from Regina Walsh Acres, I’m going to return the conversation to hockey for a moment.

I see some Moose Jaw Warriors logos in the gallery, Mr. Speaker, and that’s because we are joined today by a wonderful school group, 17 grade 12 students from A.E. Peacock Collegiate, seated both in the west and I’m told in the east gallery with their teacher, Ms. Kiefer. Oh, there’s Ms. Kiefer and some students.

Thank you very much to these students and Ms. Kiefer for joining us. We’re always happy when Moose Jaw’s in the House, Mr. Speaker, and I look forward to meeting with these students later after question period. And I would ask all members to please join me in welcoming Ms. Kiefer and these grade 12 students to this, their Legislative Assembly.

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

Carla Beck: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think I should request leave for an extended introduction.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Carla Beck: — The member from Mount Royal is hoping I’m going to beat his record.

Mr. Speaker, it is an absolute pleasure to be able to welcome a school group, grade 6 students from the Regina Christian School, seated in the east gallery here with us today. Mr. Speaker, they made their way up from their beautiful 23rd Avenue campus. Did you walk today? It was pretty windy. I hope you put rocks in your pockets on the way back. Just wonderful to have you here today, joined by their teacher, Ms. Cuento, and as well as parent chaperones Christine and Ryan and Destiny. It’s wonderful to have you here today. I invite all members to join me in welcoming this group to this, their Legislative Assembly.

So many wonderful guests here today, Mr. Speaker, I’d be remiss if I didn’t spend a few minutes. First of all, I’d like to offer a sincere and warm welcome to Senator Brenden from the beautiful state of Montana, a border state, that’s joined us here today. Welcome.

And to the group seated also in the east gallery celebrating 100 years of CKRM, as Trent said, the soundtrack of this province and certainly the soundtrack of my childhood, Mr. Speaker. Just incredible icons who have not only accompanied us, you know, when we’re on the tractor hauling bales. CKRM was always on in our house, Mr. Speaker. And you know, this is just a group of people whose love and appreciation and knowledge of this province shines through. You’ve served this province incredibly well. And I wish CKRM as an organization, and each one of you individually, all the best and continued success and thank you for all that you do and have done for this province.

I’d like to also . . . a quick shout-out to the Weyburn Red Wings, a group that’s here today. Coach McMillan, certainly an icon in the hockey world but I think in Weyburn more broadly. My brother Regan had the chance to play for the Red Wings and be coached by Dwight McMillan, and I know that is one of those memories that will always stick with him, Mr. Speaker.

And one of the group . . . I’d of course like to welcome all of those who have joined us here today. A special shout-out to one of those grade 12 Peacock students — whose mom gave me a little bit of a heads-up today that she was going to be here — Ms. Cambria Stuehler, who is daughter to my cousin Chevy. An incredibly talented young woman, musician, but really quite a track star, Mr. Speaker.

Recently at the Swift Current Invitational Track Meet she broke the 40‑year-old record in the 100‑metre race. The previous record was 12:40 set in 1986. She ran that — well I don’t have the time. I’m looking at her mom’s write-up here. She went on to smash another record in the 80‑metre hurdles with a time of 12:19. The previous record was 12:30. It’s hard to shave that kind of time off the hurdles, Mr. Speaker. Also broke another record in the 1,200 metre with a record time of 25.81. I don’t know where those genes come from, but great job, Cambria. We’re all super proud of you and I know your mom is super proud of you.

I would also like to — some of these are harder than others, Mr. Speaker — put a big shout-out to someone who’s just joined us here in the east gallery, Mr. Landen Kleisinger. Grew up in Moose Jaw. Showed up here in the legislature a few years back — these strange little glasses that he had on, Mr. Speaker — and has been a vital part of our team, communications team, communications director, for a number of years. Just the brightest, most dedicated fellow that you’d ever hope to have on your team. He’s got a big opportunity in front of him, and we would be selfish not to let him go and pursue those dreams. But we’re sure going to miss him.

And on behalf of this whole team: to him, to all of our guests here today, I invite all members to join me in welcoming all of these folks to this, our Legislative Assembly.

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

Hon. Eric Schmalz: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I’d like to welcome a guest seated in the west gallery, Mr. Zach Bachmann. Zach is a ministerial assistant in my office, Mr. Speaker. He’s also our digital media and comms guru. He is the go-to guy, I think, on the government side of the House when it comes to issues of the day for that particular media venue, Mr. Speaker, social media and things like that.

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately Zach is leaving us after this week. Mr. Speaker, he is moving on to an opportunity with the Moose Jaw Police Service as their communications and digital media person. Mr. Speaker, Zach lives in Moose Jaw. He commutes every day, comes here to work, big smile on his face, positive attitude, and just an absolutely fantastic person to have in your office, Mr. Speaker. His wife, Olivia, and fairly new daughter Holly, are going to be glad to have him home earlier every night and leave a little bit later in the morning. We are very much going to miss him on this side of the House, Mr. Speaker.

And having been a police officer myself I can tell you, Zach, that the media releases from the police are far less detailed than what we put out from the government side. So if you ever get bored, Zach, we’ll welcome you back with open arms. Anyway, Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to welcome Zach and congratulate him on his new opportunity.

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

[10:30]

Blaine McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, we get to stand in the House and give speeches and we bring forward different things that a lot of people behind us in terms of helping, get things ready and prepared for us. The staff that works so faithfully for us in the caucus office doesn’t get that opportunity to be seen as much as they should. And so today in your gallery, Kim Stoker from our staff office, caucus staff office, is here with us.

And also a kind of a real special thing for her as well that her mom is able to join us. Give us a wave. So we thank you for being here today and we trust that you’ll enjoy what you see today here and know that your daughter is a vital part of keeping us on track and involved and on schedule with everything we do. I told her earlier today that Kim is a keeper, and we want to keep her as long as we can. So thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I have a few introductions as well today. Our parliamentary education team is here. With the long weekend right around the corner, I’d like to introduce the summer staff that are here with us today. The summer tour schedule starts this Saturday, May the 16th, and tours will be available in French and English, and from 9 to 4:30 p.m., seven days a week.

We appreciate all your work making this place, which is the people’s building, available. And you do a great job. We see you wandering through and leading and guiding. We appreciate all the hard work that you do.

We have today with us Josh Giokas, Emilie Llambias, Alexander de Leyssac, Matthew Merifield, Molly Morris, and Julia Pangracs. They’re accompanied by Ryan Weild, the parliamentary educational interpreter, and Antoine. Everybody knows Antoine. Where’s . . . Antoine’s not . . . Can I comment on his lack of being in the . . . Yeah, so Antoine, we all know Antoine. He must have had something that came up. But we appreciate all that you do and thank you for making all the people of this province and our visitors welcome to this place. You do us a great service. So all the best to you.

Also we have a special guest. I call him my personal health advisor. A couple times when I was needing, he came to my office and said, “Hey, I notice you might need some help, advice.” You’ve been a good friend, and I wish I would have known a little bit more who you were earlier on. There was a day when I was kind of hoping in the beginning of this job that I’d look through that camera, that I could see somebody with mercy who might pull the fire alarm.

Well but, you know, Ed, you’ve done a great job. You’ve served . . . I think this is your 50th year tomorrow in the role. Not here at the building, but you started off 21 years ago with the Legislative Assembly Service. But 50 years to tomorrow’s date, you started your broadcast career with CBC TV. That’s a big deal. And you’re good at what you do. Some of us that are thinning on top wish you’d turn the lights down. But you’ve increased the quality of video extremely since the day I started. And you know, all the best to you in your future endeavours. And you know, thanks for serving us well and serving us faithfully. And your wife as well here with you today.

Just as the member from Lumsden-Morse mentioned too, I just want to touch on Debra, Kim’s mom, being here. Behind every successful child, there’s oftentimes parents who trained them well. You look a lot alike. And if you’re anything like the daughter you raised, you’re very organized and strong in all that you do. Debra has been a senior consultant and project management professional with 25 years of experience delivering complex projects across energy, utilities, mining, construction, and financial sectors. She’s the proud mom of Kim. And I think we would all agree that if her organizational skills came from someone, we would guess that that was you with your career.

But more than that, I want to say on a personal note to Kim . . . I was across from her in my office. I miss my old office there in the caucus row, and I always knew Kim was in the other room if you needed encouragement, if you needed a smile. No matter what she had going on in her personal life, she put the lives of everyone else first. And we appreciate your service, Kim. So bless you.

With that, today there are no petitions.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Weyburn-Bengough.

Weyburn Red Wings Hold Inaugural Hall of Fame Induction

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Weyburn Red Wings have a rich history in junior hockey since 1961. The team is the most successful in the league with eight SJHL championships to their history. The Wings also won the national title in ’84 and the Royal Bank Cup, reaching national Junior A hockey supremacy again in 2005.

In the last two years, the Weyburn Red Wings have been very close to adding to that winning tradition with an appearance in the SJHL Canterra Seeds Cup final in ’25. And in 2026 the Red Wings lost a 1‑0 game 7 thriller to the Flin Flon Bombers on April 15th in the semifinals. With the Bombers going on to a 4‑0 sweep of the Terriers in the final, it’s fair to say the Wings were one goal away from their ninth league championship.

On the 15th of February, the Wings hosted their inaugural hall of fame induction ceremony, which creates an opportunity to recognize players, organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and fans that have supported the Weyburn Red Wings’ winning tradition.

Inductees into the player category were Joe Daley, two seasons with the Wings followed by an NHL [National Hockey League] career; Bill Lesuk, forward for four seasons and then a Stanley Cup championship with the Boston Bruins; and the 1969‑70 Weyburn Red Wings team.

In the builder category, we’ve got Tom Laing, president of the Wings when the team started; Dwight McMillan; Tom Webb.

In the community category: Tom Huston, Reinhard Eisbrenner, and Barber Motors, a long-time supporter.

Mr. Speaker, it’s a winning tradition that was built by Coach McMillan, and it’s being carried forward by Coach Mapes. Best of luck next season.

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

Board Game Fundraiser Supports Food Security

Jacqueline Roy: — Mr. Speaker, this year’s 24‑hour Play with Your Food event on March 28th, 2026 raised more than 106 grand for Carmichael Outreach here in Regina. Since its founding in 2013, the event has now raised over $415,000. So at this pace, it’s going to surpass half a million bucks by next year.

Play with Your Food is a powerful example of what happens when community meets compassion. What began as a gathering of board game enthusiasts has grown into a major, major force for good in our community, helping ensure Regina’s most vulnerable can access food and resources regardless of their beliefs, regardless of their identity.

Now the event was founded by Mr. Matt Robertson in honour of his late mother, Evelyn (Eva) Robertson, whose life was defined by generosity. Matt’s also a very generous person too. From her work with food banks in Nova Scotia to her final caring act of baking for Souls Harbour here in Regina, Eva’s legacy lives on in every dollar raised every year.

This was my second year attending; very humbling I might add. I lost all my games. But I was struck by the generosity, the humility, and the spirit in that room. Countless volunteer hours. So to the organizers, the volunteers, the sponsors, and the players, thank you. Thank you for showing us what community truly looks like.

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

Radio Station Celebrates 100 Years

Brad Crassweller: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This summer will mark 100 years of CKRM. On July 27th, 1926, 665 CJRM was founded in Moose Jaw. By 1935 the station had transitioned to Regina and became 620 CKRM.

In those 100 years, CKRM has established itself for decades as the voice of the Roughriders, covering many great games, great plays, and players, like Gene Makowsky among others. Whether it’s covering Gordie Howe’s illustrious career as Mr. Hockey or giving updates on the harvest season, CKRM has been present in generations of homes and vehicles as a staple of Saskatchewan radio.

Mr. Speaker, July 18th at the Conexus Arts Centre, CKRM will be hosting the 100 Years in 1 Night celebration, featuring CKRM icons and a dinner. I encourage members to come out and join these iconic figures, enjoy a great dinner, and celebrate the history of CKRM. People can also check out the CKRM website and enjoy the CKRM scrapbook, timeline, top 100 country songs, and so much more.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I ask that all members join me in congratulating CKRM for 100 years and thanking their past, present, and future team members for their commitment to delivering the news to our province and its people. Here’s to another 100 years. Thank you.

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

Addressing Homelessness in Saskatchewan

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Here in Saskatchewan, homelessness is no longer hidden; it’s a full-blown crisis. Everyone can see what’s happening. In Saskatoon alone, more than 2,000 people are homeless. That number has grown by four times in as many years. This is an emergency.

Behind the numbers are real people and real families. Many are struggling with mental health challenges and addiction. Front-line workers are overwhelmed. People are waiting too long for treatment. Access to detox and recovery facilities is limited. Too many people are falling through the cracks. They’re ending up on the streets instead of getting the help they so desperately need.

This is not about individuals and their decisions. It’s a systemic crisis. And still the Sask Party government is not responding with the urgency required. Mental health and addictions services remain underfunded. We need action now. Expand mental health care and addiction treatment. Address the cost of living. People deserve dignity. They deserve support. They deserve a path forward.

The time to act is now. These people can’t wait for solutions governed by narrow ideologies. They can’t wait for a government refusing to acknowledge they have — for almost two decades — to care for most vulnerable. People need a government that cares. They need it now.

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

Trade Conference Strengthens International Relations

Travis Keisig: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. The North American Strategy for Competitiveness, or NASCO, annual reunion was held this past week from May 5th to 7th in Regina. This reunion rotates between Canada, US [United States], and Mexico, bringing together government officials, private business executives, and industry experts to discuss and generate fresh ideas that help drive North America’s economic future.

What an absolute honour it was, Mr. Speaker, to have Saskatchewan host this year’s conference. This allowed us to share Saskatchewan’s story. We have the food, fuel, and fertilizer that North America needs.

Mr. Speaker, we kicked off the reunion with the Premier’s keynote on Saskatchewan’s economic strength and a discussion with former prime minister Stephen Harper. There was also panel discussions on Canada-US-Mexico trade relations, focusing on strengthening trade amid global uncertainty.

Overall, Mr. Speaker, I’m very happy to report that the 2026 NASCO reunion was among the most successful to date. Another highlight, Mr. Speaker, was the wonderful tour that you provided to attendees from Mexico, Canada, and US of this beautiful building.

Mr. Speaker, we may not be the largest province by population, but when people visit Saskatchewan, they will see that we are very hospitable and very proud of our home. Thank you to Tiffany and Rachel and all the members of the NASCO board for their years of service. And good luck to San Luis Potosí, who is next year’s host. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Cost of Power Generation Plan

Sally Housser: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. It’s the last day of the spring sitting, and I know the Premier and his SaskPower minister can’t wait to get out of this legislature. The Premier was so embarrassed by his minister’s $26 billion boondoggle that he couldn’t even face the questions yesterday.

Now, Mr. Speaker, Sask Mining Week is just around the corner, and there’s so much to celebrate in this province. But this Premier and his minister are putting all the tremendous potential we have in potash, critical minerals, and uranium at risk by putting all of their eggs in one big, $26 billion basket.

Their own officials have said the risks of doubling down on coal are extreme. Power rates for families, farms, and small businesses will double. Investment and jobs will disappear. We already lost 10,000 full-time jobs on these guys’ watch in April. Can we really afford to lose more?

Mr. Speaker, I hope the Premier is listening. And every member on that side of the legislature should be listening. The people of this province deserve the truth about the government’s reckless power plan. And this summer we will be taking 26 billion facts to every doorstep, community barbecue, shop floor, and industry partner, and we will continue to expose this $26 billion disaster for the generational mistake that it is.

But the Premier has one last chance to do the right thing. He can stand in this House, fire that minister, and reverse the catastrophic course that he’s on. Will he do it, Mr. Speaker? The people of Saskatchewan are watching.

[10:45]

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Lloydminster.

Assessment of Opposition Leader’s Performance

Colleen Young: — Mr. Speaker, here’s the top 10 reasons why the NDP [New Democratic Party] Opposition Leader has had a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad session.

Number 10, got caught splicing ads. Number nine, endorsed a hate-filled NDP fundraiser email. Number eight, angered award-winning feed producers with bogus claims of PST [provincial sales tax] being charged on Saskatchewan beef. Number seven, angered not one, not two, but three power and energy unions with her political smears on that sector and its workers. Number six, had another union publicly call her out for disparaging its members in the Marshals Service.

Number five, Saskatchewan NDP supporters released an open letter calling her position on their federal leader unproductive and divisive, saying she was alienating grassroots members and volunteers. Number four, her own brothers and sisters in the NDP launched a public petition calling for her to resign. Number three, members of her own caucus are launching their own leadership campaigns, looking to take her down.

Number two, had one of her own caucus members resign, calling her posturing on Bill 48 “performative.” And number one, while she is more focused on political stunts than doing real work, what was left of her credibility was put through that wood chipper this week.

QUESTION PERIOD

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

Power Generation Plan Costs

Carla Beck: — I don’t know, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know. I think this team is having a pretty good time. In fact we could go three more weeks if the members opposite are down for it.

But I do, I do have a question, Mr. Speaker, pretty simple one for the Premier. Will he take his catastrophic $26 billion coal plan and put it where it belongs in the trash? Will he also fire that SaskPower minister while he’s at it?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, there’s only one member on the floor of this Assembly where people — their own members — are asking for the removal of, and that is the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Speaker, I would add to that. I would add that we have asked for the removal, we have asked for the removal of their publicly funded chief of staff for sending out very un-Saskatchewan emails asking supporters . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Order, please.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Fundraising emails asking their supporters to hate husbands and fathers that have chosen to put their name forward for public office and have been duly elected by their constituents, Mr. Speaker.

So the answer to the Leader of the Opposition’s question is no. And I would say, what for? For putting forward the most affordable, reliable power plan, Mr. Speaker, to the Government of Saskatchewan and providing that affordable, reliable power plan for the people and industries in this province into the future.

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

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, no accountability from a government that reeks of arrogance and entitlement. Now we only know about the real cost of this coal plan because some brave people at SaskPower leaked them to us, Mr. Speaker. These are people who decided to risk their careers rather than risk the future of this province.

I wonder what the Premier has to say to those men and women at SaskPower and people right across this province who see that coal plan for what it is — a catastrophic disaster.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Many of those men and women were here the other day, Mr. Speaker, families that have provided energy security to Saskatchewan families and industries for generations. And I would suggest that those same families, their children and grandchildren are going to provide energy security to Saskatchewan families and industries for generations to come through our energy security strategy, Mr. Speaker, which is the most affordable, reliable way to provide power to Saskatchewan families today . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Again, I hate to compare. But both sides, there’s a lot of noise coming from one side over the other. And I don’t know if that’s intentional. It’s the last day. But I’m going to ask for the opposition to not be so loud when the responses are being given.

I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, it’s that energy security strategy that is going to provide affordable, reliable power for Saskatchewan families and industries today and every day into the future.

And so let’s compare, Mr. Speaker. We have chosen the plan that is going to utilize our existing assets to provide 1500 megawatts of power to this province, Mr. Speaker, with a capital cost of $2.6 billion. The NDP’s plan, Mr. Speaker, has a capital cost in excess of $20 billion that, I would say, is compliant with Justin Trudeau’s clean electricity regulations, Mr. Speaker.

This is the Trudeau-NDP plan that they have put forward. This is the very plan that we asked SaskPower to model, Mr. Speaker. And then we made a choice not to go down that path because it was going to provide too high of power rates for Saskatchewan families, too high of power rates for Saskatchewan industry, Mr. Speaker.

We have an energy security strategy, Mr. Speaker. We’re going to deliver on affordable, reliable power for Saskatchewan families. And we’re going to utilize the 1,400 families, Mr. Speaker, to ensure that’s the case moving forward.

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

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, again no apology, no explanation, no accountability from that Premier. And frankly this is what happens, and we’ve seen this before, when governments become tired and out of touch. They forget who it is that elected them to be in this legislature in the first place, Mr. Speaker.

Now I want the Premier to hear me clearly on this. This official opposition is not going to stop. We are going to use every tool in our tool box, and we will not be quiet because this is too important to the people of this province. We can’t afford a $26 billion coal plan. It’s extreme. It’s riddled with risk. Well you can laugh all you want, but the people of this province are not laughing, Mr. Premier. It’s a plan that will double power rates in this province.

Will the Premier put an end to this madness?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Members on this side talk to families across this province each and every day, Mr. Speaker. And we bring their priorities to the floor of this Assembly and to the focus of the government, Mr. Speaker, in four areas. First, Saskatchewan remains the most affordable province in the nation of Canada to live in, and that is ensured through this year’s budget, Mr. Speaker. It’s going to be that way each and every day into the future.

Second, we have, Mr. Speaker, a patients-first health care initiative that is going to improve outcomes, Mr. Speaker. It’s going to bring in innovation and tools that are available today to support our health care . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — It might be easier to name who’s not loud some days. So I’m going to ask that we hear out the responses, please.

Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, it’s members on this side of the House and the Government of Saskatchewan, on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan, that are very focused in four particular areas.

First, Mr. Speaker, is to ensure that Saskatchewan remains the most affordable province in the nation to live. Second is to improve our outcomes in health care through — and unlike any other province in the nation — the patients-first health care initiative. Third, to provide recovery opportunities and community safety through investing in our enforcement agencies, Mr. Speaker. And last but certainly not least, is to ensure that we have in this province the strongest economy in the nation of Canada so that we can make those investments on behalf of the families that we represent from corner to corner in this province of Saskatchewan.

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

Carla Beck: — The people don’t have to take my word for it how out of touch this government has become, because I think you just heard it in that Premier’s answer. But I want the people of the province, I want the people of the province to hear me on this. It is time for change. And you do deserve a better government — so much better than what you’re getting with that government right now — a government that’s focused on making life more affordable, fixing our health care and our education system, making our communities safer, and so much more.

But, Mr. Speaker, if this government riddles this province with $26 billion in debt, we cannot address those things. Mr. Speaker, why, why would this Premier prioritize his extreme and risky coal plan over all of that for the people of this province?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Because it’s the most affordable plan moving forward, Mr. Speaker. It provides the most affordable, reliable electricity for families in this province today and for years into the future, Mr. Speaker.

However I agree with the Leader of the Opposition that there will be signs when it is time for change, Mr. Speaker. And I would say that one of those signs is when a caucus member leaves your caucus to sit as an independent. Mr. Speaker, I would say that one of those signs that it is time for change is when you have two members of your caucus who are openly running for leadership, Mr. Speaker. Or another sign for change is when there is online petitions asking for your removal, Mr. Speaker. I would say there are signs. There’s three of them right there.

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

Contract Negotiations with Health Care Workers

Carla Beck: — Well, Mr. Speaker, he’s gone and outdone himself with the inward focus, the arrogance, and the entitlement that we were talking about earlier.

But let’s talk about where we should be spending money, Mr. Speaker. Front-line health care workers in this province have gone without a raise for years. Gas is more expensive. Groceries are more expensive. Power bills are more expensive. And that’s before we knew the true cost of their $26 billion coal plan.

Mr. Speaker, everything is more expensive, but these workers have not had a raise in years. They’re at a breaking point, and many of them are leaving health care altogether. Will that Premier finally focus on what’s important to Saskatchewan people, give these health care workers a fair contract and, Mr. Speaker, start fixing the health care system that they broke?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, those negotiations continue at the bargaining table, and they will continue. And it is the government’s intent to ensure that not only do we provide a fair contract for our health care professionals in this province, Mr. Speaker, but that, one, it’s going to support them in improving the outcomes for patients across this province, Mr. Speaker.

And this is a difference between the members of the government and the members of the opposition, on the floor of this Assembly and across the province. The members of the government, Mr. Speaker, continue to listen to constituents and families and do the right thing on their behalf, versus the opposition members who are stuck in their ideological ways, Mr. Speaker.

Members of the government have been asked by families to introduce and pass The Compassionate Intervention Act, Mr. Speaker, to provide families the opportunity to intervene, Mr. Speaker, with a recovery opportunity for their loved ones — opposed by the members opposite.

Families across this province have asked for our province to remain the most affordable province in the nation, Mr. Speaker. Over a half billion dollars in affordability measures in this budget, Mr. Speaker — voted against by the members opposite, Mr. Speaker.

The most affordable power plan for families today and for years into the future, Mr. Speaker, as we find our way to a nuclear future. Mr. Speaker, the most affordable power plan supported by this government — opposed by the members opposite.

That, Mr. Speaker, is why there are so many signs for change for the Leader of the Opposition across the aisle, Mr. Speaker. That’s why there are signs when caucus members are walking out of her caucus, and two of them are actively running for leadership today.

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

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Well maybe the Premier could find his feet here today and join the health care workers who will be rallying on the steps of the legislature this after . . . this morning because those negotiations with this government is going so, so well, Mr. Speaker.

These health care workers are barely hanging on. They are worried about paying their bills. They’re stopping to sell blood plasma on the way home, and so many are using the food bank for the first time in their lives.

Yesterday the government stood in this Chamber, heaping praises on those health care workers during this Nursing Week. But in reality they are failing to recognize that praise with a raise, Mr. Speaker.

Why won’t this Minister of Health show these workers some respect and get them a fair deal today?

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — And before the Health minister responds, I expect that we’re going to not be so loud. Like honestly I don’t know who we’re loud for because it’s the students here that are wondering, “What on earth? We can’t do this in our classrooms.” Like there’s good debate. There’s good comments. But this is not correct.

So, Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. As the Premier mentioned in a previous answer, we are going to come to an agreement with our health care union partners, Mr. Speaker. But it has to be a deal that works for health care workers but also works for patients as well in this province, Mr. Speaker. This government in March released the patients-first plan, which talks about the 50 next steps that this government is taking in partnership with our health care workforce right across the province, Mr. Speaker, who we value so much.

[11:00]

You know, the member opposite wants to talk about disrespect. Mr. Speaker, there are members on both sides of the House that have family members and close friends that work in health care each and every single day, Mr. Speaker. We’re proud of those folks, Mr. Speaker, and I’m confident that this government’s going to come to an agreement that’s going to work for workers but also work for patients.

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

Legislation regarding Remuneration of Health Authority Executives

Nathaniel Teed: — Mr. Speaker, I’ll extend the same invitation to the Premier’s Minister of Health. Let’s find his feet. Let’s head outside and chat with those health care workers again. Why are they rallying on the steps of the legislature? Because they don’t have a deal. It’s been four years.

Mr. Speaker, the Sask Party government’s contempt for the working people of this province — who are simply trying to protect their livelihoods, defending their integrity — shows a complete lack of leadership from this minister. Health care workers, like I said, have gone four years without a raise. Meanwhile the top brass at the SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority] are cashing in on raises and plum positions.

Now this session we introduced a bill to make sure there’d be no raises for those top bosses of the SHA while workers at the bottom continue to get zeros, but there’s been no action from this government. They just don’t care. How does this minister justify those big raises and those plum positions for members of SHA leadership while workers go years without a raise?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, another example of why it’s hard to take the NDP seriously. I would encourage the members opposite to actually check the wording of their bill, Mr. Speaker. It actually doesn’t limit compensation for SHA executives. It would limit compensation for SHA board members, which has been frozen for quite some time already, Mr. Speaker.

I would encourage the members opposite to actually read their own bill and figure out what it actually says, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as I said in my previous answer, this government is committed to working with our union partners to get to an agreement. That’s going to happen at the bargaining table, not on the floor of this legislature, come to a fair agreement that works for our health care workers but also works for patients.

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

Supports for Child Care Providers

Joan Pratchler: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well here’s another doozy. Last night I was in Rocanville. I was invited to an emergency community meeting about the future of child care in that town. Fifty people showed up in the middle of spring seeding to share their concerns, and over 3,000 followed on a livestream.

Here’s a bit of what they had to say: “Our family is planning to move back to Ontario if there’s no more child care in this area.” “How can you keep the economy strong when you don’t have workers because you can’t get child care?” “How could I afford to have children? How can you not see that this is an issue, and how it impacts young women and families?”

What does the minister have to say to the people of Rocanville and the surrounding area who are worried that their child care centres are on the verge of closing under his watch?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First of all, I want to extend my thanks and gratitude to everyone involved in the early childhood education sector operating child care centres right across this province, whether they’re larger centres or home-based child care centres.

As well, Mr. Speaker, the government is taking action. The provincial government is taking action to make sure that we maintain and sustain the amazing growth that has happened in the sector over the past five years of the federal agreement on the $10‑a-day child care. Mr. Speaker, we have and I have indicated, as have other provinces as well, there were shortfalls, that when it comes to the funding from the federal government — and every province and territory has indicated that to the federal government — that there is substantial need for more funding from the federal government to make this program sustainable for the long term.

So the action that this government is taking is to make sure that we can maintain the system we’ve built, maintain the space that’s been open across the province. And we’ll continue to work to expand that across Saskatchewan. We know this is important to communities right across this province, Mr. Speaker. We’re going to continue that good work.

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

Joan Pratchler: — Well, Mr. Speaker, let’s talk about the concerns that the parents and staff had at that meeting last night. This is right from the meeting floor. If this child care centre goes under “Families could pay thousands of dollars more per year to have access to child care.” “Businesses will feel the financial and staffing impacts if parents do not have access to child care.” “Economic development will be impacted. People will be deterred from moving to this area, in Rocanville, rural Saskatchewan.”

When will this minister take some responsibility for this botched-up mess he’s made of child care in every corner of Saskatchewan?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Education.

Hon. Everett Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A couple of quotes here. This is from a child care operator who wrote in and said that they viewed this direction as very positive with respect to the changes, Mr. Speaker: “The shift towards stabilization and sustainability will greatly support both existing child care providers and new operators.” This is a recent email, Mr. Speaker.

SECA [Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association], the organization responsible for the sector, says that they see these actions “as part of a larger move towards a child care system that is more consistent, stable, and fair.” We engage with child care operators across the province. There’s been a number of engagement sessions with the communities and with operators, Mr. Speaker.

Yes, the member for Eastview, the backup critic, has said there was one last night. He’s correct, Mr. Speaker. Here’s the deal, Mr. Speaker. The members opposite, we can never get clear from them what their position is on this. Because remember, months ago they were saying, just sign the old agreement. Sign an extension with no changes, Mr. Speaker. Hurry up and sign it.

Mr. Speaker, as I have said multiple times, now they’re disagreeing with their own position. They can’t make up their minds. That’s why, Mr. Speaker, no one in this province takes anyone over there seriously, particularly the Leader of the Opposition and any of those so-called critics, Mr. Speaker.

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

Provision of Services in Rural Hospitals

Keith Jorgenson: — Mr. Speaker, this Sask Party government is not listening to rural leaders who are calling for transparency when it comes to health care closures, Mr. Speaker. Let me read from a rather remarkable letter that the mayor of Gravelbourg sent to myself and to the Minister of Health. And I quote:

Council believes that the residents should be able to easily find current information on (1) whether or not a hospital and emergency room is open or closed; (2) whether or not a physician is available in person or virtually, and whether or not key services such as diagnostics or imaging are available.

Mr. Speaker, we brought forward bills that would have done this exact thing, and this government voted them down.

How does this Sask Party government explain why they allowed these bills to die to the mayor and council of Gravelbourg?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’ve answered this question several times this session. As the member opposite well knows, we recently directed the Saskatchewan Health Authority to increase the reporting timelines of temporary service disruptions that may occur in rural facilities from time to time, Mr. Speaker. That increased frequency will give more visibility to rural residents right across the province.

Mr. Speaker, it’s quite interesting though. We’ve seen quite a contrast this session when it comes to health care in this legislature, Mr. Speaker. This government, we have the patients-first plan, training more doctors, training more nurse practitioners, training more nurses, Mr. Speaker.

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Member from Regina Walsh Acres, I . . . There’s a few. Saskatoon . . . Please, let’s hear out the answer.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I was getting to, you know, there is a contrast here on the floor of this Assembly. On this side, Mr. Speaker, we have the patients-first plan, training work professionals, adding access points, Mr. Speaker.

The members opposite, they have no plan. They’ve discouraged young people from going into health care. And now their latest piece of legislation puts fee-for-service physicians in their crosshairs, Mr. Speaker. That’s half of the physicians in this province, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know what they’re up to on health care, but on this side of the House we’re going to put patients first.

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

Keith Jorgenson: — Mr. Speaker, the minister talks about putting patients first. How about putting them first when it comes to access to information about whether or not their hospitals are open or closed? How about that?

You know, this government is so out of touch and is not listening to people. You know, let’s take the comment from the Premier from last week, where he said that we should take the win. What a weird thing to say. This isn’t about whether or not the NDP is winning or losing. This is about people in rural Saskatchewan have access to life-saving information.

It shouldn’t be about who brought forward a bill. It should be whether or not the bill is a good idea and is going to save people’s lives. Is this government going to be transparent with the people of Gravelbourg and the rest of rural Saskatchewan?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. You know, Mr. Speaker, we have the opportunity — both myself and my colleague, the Minister of Rural and Remote Health, as well as MLAs [Member of the Legislative Assembly] on this side of the House — to get across the province, meet with local municipal leaders, to meet with health care leaders in facilities right across the province.

What we hear time and time again is the importance to increase training opportunities. We’re doing that through the patients-first plan. To increase recruitment efforts. We’re doing that through the Saskatchewan Healthcare Recruitment Agency, Mr. Speaker.

It isn’t helpful when you have members opposite and leaders, supposedly critics on that side, Mr. Speaker, who are discouraging young people from going into health care in our province. That isn’t putting patients first. That isn’t the government’s perspective. We’re going to keep doing that.

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

Legislation regarding Wildfire Management

Nicole Sarauer: — Mr. Speaker, it’s been 163 days since my colleague introduced the wildfire strategy Act, and now there were reports of a fire near Mistawasis yesterday and another that’s near Meadow Lake today. People in the North are so anxious, given what happened last year.

Now this is the last day of spring sitting. This is the last question for question period. What is this government going to do differently this time around to ensure we don’t see a repeat of last year’s very disastrous wildfire response?

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

Hon. Michael Weger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And, Mr. Speaker, the opposition should know that the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency brings in experts locally and from across the province — including retired firefighters, community leaders with decades of experience — to assist and provide expertise in fire suppression.

What the opposition has proposed is a bill that removes the responsibility of wildfire suppression from the experts on wildfires at the SPSA [Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency]. This type of organizational change would only add red tape to a process, a dangerous opposition proposal for an agency that needs to be quick and responsive to emergency situations.

Mr. Speaker, this government takes community safety very important, Mr. Speaker, very seriously, Mr. Speaker. We’ve dedicated $140 million in the budget to supporting community safety through the SPSA this year, Mr. Speaker.

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

David Chan: — Mr. Speaker, I ask leave for an extended introduction. Someone’s just entered the gallery that I would like to introduce to the Chamber.

Speaker Goudy: — The member has requested leave for an introduction, and an extended one at that. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

David Chan: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Assembly. I see that a personal friend of mine but also federal MP [Member of Parliament] for my area and for a number of my colleagues as well, Cathay Wagantall, has entered the Chamber, and she is seated in your gallery, Mr. Speaker.

It’s my pleasure to introduce her to you and through you, Mr. Speaker. Ms. Wagantall has been elected since 2011 and she’s been relentless in her advocacy for veterans and many more things. I’ll say personally, I remember a few years back before I even thought about politics, I had a great conversation with her and she was very influential in shaping my direction as well. She’s been an incredible support and she’s been an incredible MP for our area.

And I want to say one more thing. Cathay is the kind of person who works incredibly hard. She sacrifices tremendously and doesn’t say a peep about it, you know, so I have such a tremendous amount of respect for her. She’s done so much for our area. And I’d like everyone to join me in welcoming Cathay Wagantall to her Legislative Assembly.

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — Request leave for an introduction.

Speaker Goudy: — The member from Mount Royal has also requested leave for an introduction. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, it’s an honour to join with the member from Yorkton to welcome MP Wagantall to her Assembly and to thank her for her leadership and representation within this province and within the country. It’s wonderful to have you here today, and I ask all members to provide a very warm welcome to MP Cathay Wagantall.

Speaker Goudy: — Welcome, Cathay.

[11:15]

ORDERS OF THE DAY

Speaker Goudy: — I am advised that Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor is here for Royal Assent. All please rise.

[At 11:16 Her Honour the Lieutenant Governor entered the Chamber and took her seat upon the Throne. Her Honour then gave Royal Assent to the following bills.]

ROYAL ASSENT

Her Honour: — Pray be seated.

Speaker Goudy: — May it please Your Honour, this Legislative Assembly at its present session has passed several bills which, in the name of the Assembly, I present to Your Honour and to which bills I respectfully request Your Honour’s assent.

Clerk: — Your Honour, the bills are as follows:

Bill No. 35 — The Mineral Resources Amendment Act, 2025

Bill No. 36 — The Change of Name Amendment Act, 2025/Loi modificative de 2025 sur le changement de nom

Bill No. 37 — The Vital Statistics Amendment Act, 2025/Loi modificative de 2025 sur les services de l’état civil

Bill No. 31 — The Defamation Act

Bill No. 32 — The Defamation Consequential Amendments Act, 2025/Loi de 2025 corrélative de la loi intitulée The Defamation Act

Bill No. 41 — The Heritage Recognition (From Many Peoples, Strength) Act/Loi sur la reconnaissance du patrimoine (Nos origines multiples, notre force)

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

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

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

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

Bill No. 24 — The Saskatchewan Internal Trade Promotion Act

Bill No. 33 — The Credit Union Amendment Act, 2025

Bill No. 47 — The Response to Illicit Drugs Act

Bill No. 45 — The Co‑operatives Consequential Amendments Act, 2025

Bill No. 44 — The Co‑operatives Act, 2025/Loi de 2025 sur les coopératives

Bill No. 40 — The Animal Protection Amendment Act, 2025

Bill No. 38 — The Building Schools Faster Act

Bill No. 39 — The Building Schools Faster Consequential Amendment Act, 2025/Loi de 2025 corrélative de la loi intitulée The Building Schools Faster Act

Bill No. 48 — The Compassionate Intervention Act

Bill No. 55 — The Medical Profession Amendment Act, 2026

Bill No. 58 — The Time Act, 2026

Bill No. 59 — The Time Consequential Amendments Act, 2026/Loi de 2026 corrélative de la loi intitulée The Time Act, 2026

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

Bill No. 52 — The Heritage Property Amendment Act, 2026

Bill No. 54 — The Correctional Services Amendment Act, 2026

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

Bill No. 43 — The Municipalities Modernization and Red Tape Reduction Act

Her Honour: — In His Majesty’s name, I assent to these bills.

Speaker Goudy: — May it please Your Honour, this Legislative Assembly has voted the supplies required to enable the government to defray the expenses of the public service.

In the name of the Assembly, I present to Your Honour:

Bill No. 60 — The Appropriation Act, 2026 (No. 1)

to which bill I respectfully request Your Honour’s assent.

Her Honour: — In His Majesty’s name, I thank the Legislative Assembly, accept its benevolence, and assent to this bill.

Speaker Goudy: — Please rise for the departure of Her Honour.

[At 11:21, Her Honour retired from the Chamber.]

Speaker Goudy: — Please be seated. I recognize the Government House Leader.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I seek leave to make a farewell statement.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

STATEMENT BY A MEMBER

End-of-Session Acknowledgements

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to my colleagues. As this spring session ends, Mr. Speaker, I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone for their very hard work and their dedication over the past several months. The spring session is filled with early mornings, long days, multiple committee meetings, and hours upon hours of debate. Through all of that, Mr. Speaker, we the elected members rely very heavily upon the amazing teams that surround us every day, ensuring that the work of government and democracy is conducted successfully.

I’d like to begin, Mr. Speaker, by thanking the often unseen heroes of this place, the amazing building staff who work behind the scenes to operate and maintain this very impressive building. I also want to thank the Legislative Assembly Service, the maintenance teams, the custodial crew, the cafeteria staff, the LDSU [legislative district security unit], security teams and commissionaires, as well as Hansard and broadcasting services, Mr. Speaker. As I said, many of these individuals are often unseen, but their work is not unnoticed, and we thank them sincerely for all that they do.

Next I’d like to thank our caucus chief of staff, Gene Makowsky, and the entire caucus team, together with all of our ministerial office staff, Mr. Speaker. Their countless hours and diligent efforts behind everything that we do don’t get anywhere near the recognition that they deserve, but we sure appreciate them and thank them for all that they do for us each and every day.

And of course I want to sincerely thank the House business and research teams, Mr. Speaker. On our side of the House that team is made up of Sean Wilson, Paul Ripplinger, and Savanna Smuk. Day in and day out, Mr. Speaker, those individuals keep us prepared, on time, and on message.

I also would like to extend my thanks to you, Mr. Speaker, and to your office, including the Sergeant-at-Arms and everyone in the Clerks’ office. Thank you specifically to all of the Table Officers for their work and their guidance while the House is sitting, often smoothing out the procedural edges when we have ruffled them, Mr. Speaker.

I’d also like to thank the Government and Opposition Whips for all of their coordination and efforts behind the scenes. Managing the schedules of so many members is certainly no easy task.

Which leads me to the Opposition House Leader, the member from Regina Douglas Park. I sincerely thank her for her co-operation and often patience with me, Mr. Speaker, as we work together in an attempt to ensure that the House scheduling and the business of this place runs smoothly for both sides of the Assembly.

I also want to sincerely thank our Premier for his strong leadership and continued advocacy for the province of Saskatchewan. It is truly an honour to work under this Premier’s leadership and serve alongside him each and every day. Mr. Speaker, we all owe the Premier a huge debt of gratitude for the sacrifices that he and his family make on our behalf. On behalf of the members and all the people of Saskatchewan, we thank the Premier. There is no better leader in this nation, Mr. Speaker.

And finally I want to thank every member of this legislature on both sides of the House. Though we don’t always agree, we all come here with the same purpose, and that is to represent the best interests of the people we serve. It’s never easy spending extended time away from our families and our support systems, so we are truly grateful for the love and support that we get and we receive from those we leave back home. We could not do it without our families and friends behind us, and so I want to take a moment to extend sincere thanks to all of them as well.

With that, Mr. Speaker, I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer with their family, with their friends, and throughout their communities across this very great province. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Opposition House Leader.

Nicole Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to rise on behalf of the official opposition to bring some parting words, in response to the Government House Leader, of thanks.

First to you, Mr. Speaker, thank you for your hard work, your patience, and your diligence and your quest for ensuring that democracy functions to the best of its ability. Appreciate your tolerance in all that you do. And that appreciation extends to all of the staff at the Speaker’s office, and especially Twyla, for the hard work that they do in managing your very important office, Mr. Speaker.

In addition to that, I want to extend thanks to the Pages for their hard work and tolerance of all of us frankly this session, every session. We’re very grateful to you and for all the work that you do for us.

I also want to thank the Clerks, all the Clerks at the Clerks’ Table in particular. Of course Iris for her hard work, her commitment, and her patience. She became a grandma again in the middle of session last week when there was quite a bit going on. So I do want to thank her. I know that we all make sacrifices doing this work. And staff do as well and that extends beyond the staff in our offices, but the Clerks and all of those who work in this building do as well.

I also want to give a special thanks this session to the Law Clerk, Marie Shalashniy. I know we had an extensive amount of private members’ bills this session which created a lot of work for her. So I want to specifically thank her in the work that she does for all of us, but in particular navigating my colleagues and their many ideas for private members’ bills this session.

I also of course need to extend thanks to Hansard and broadcast services for their work. And they’re often polishing up . . . Very grateful to their polishing up of sometimes our fumbling of language. And I always appreciate when the “ums” and the “ahs” get somehow removed from Hansard. I’m not upset when that happens, at least in my regard.

Also to the rest of the staff that work in this building of course — the cafeteria staff, the cleaning staff, the building staff, the Sergeant-at-Arms, the commissionaires, and the LDSU. Our sincere thanks for their work, and their sacrifice too, each and every single day.

I also have to thank the librarians in particular because I lean on them a lot and utilize their services often, as I know other colleagues do. And they do incredibly good work and are so diligent.

First of all I’d like to extend a thanks to my House leadership team — the Deputy House Leader, the Whip, and the Deputy Whip — for their hard work, as well as those who work in our office, our entire caucus office staff.

But I particularly have to thank my long-suffering co-pilot, Mitchell Bonokoski, who has been serving along with me in this role as director of research and issues management, director of House business on our side for quite some time. And I very much owe a debt of gratitude for him and his wisdom and his expertise.

[11:30]

But that thanks also extends to the government side. First of all those who work in House business on government: Paul, Sean, and Savanna. We always appreciate their hard work and their ability to work with us to get things done behind the scenes.

The House leadership team of course on government side too, Deputy House Leader, as well as the two Whips.

And then my thanks of course to the Government House Leader as well. Very much appreciate our relationship and our ability to collaborate together, most of the time, behind the scenes to get done what we need to get done. And I am particularly grateful to have a colleague on the other side who very much understands what I mean when I say to him the phrase which I said a few times this session, that there are days when we are steering the ship and there are days when the ship is steering us. And we both fully understand what that means in the work that we do. It’s just the nature of the beast that we operate in.

I also want to thank everybody who serves on government side, all of the MLAs as well as the Premier. We know what the sacrifice is to do this work, and we are cognizant of that and thankful to them and all of their families as well.

As well, Mr. Speaker, I would be remiss of course if I didn’t thank first the leader on our side, the Leader of the Opposition, the member for Regina Lakeview. The sacrifice that she makes to do this work is immeasurable frankly, Mr. Speaker, and we are incredibly grateful that she’s willing to take that job on. It is not an easy job, and she does it with so much grace and passion and love for this province. And we are incredibly grateful to have her as our north star, as our guide, and cannot thank her enough.

As well to all of my colleagues on this side of the House, thank you for your service. I wouldn’t want to do this with any other folks. Hopefully in a few years there will be a few more of you, but I am happy to be serving alongside with all of you. You make this job so much more fun and so much more enjoyable. And so thank you so much for your service and your dedication.

On behalf of the official opposition, I also want to thank all of our CAs [constituency assistant], all of our friends, and most importantly all of our family, who we know all sacrifice so that we can do this work here. I hope everyone gets home safely. I hope they enjoy the weather. I hope they connect with their community and spend some time with their friends and family this summer season. Thank you.

Speaker Goudy: — And I just had a few words of thanks as well. The two House leaders have done a great job remembering all the different individuals. You can always tell the quality of character on how someone treats others, I would say.

And I just want to pass on from our Pages, if I may, to all of you. We had a windup dinner. It’s one of my favourite times of the entire year. By the way, if I was to go back when the Premier and the Opposition Leader . . . they wouldn’t have had to drag me so much at the front. I have enjoyed this role serving in this place with all of you. And part of that is getting to connect with our Pages, and people who have come to our country, some of them; others have been here their whole lives.

But their comments towards you all in my office the other day was honourable. And they said, “This is the best place that we worked.” And though they get to see all of our flaws in all that we do, good and bad, they said wonderful words of all of you. And that was probably the proudest day that I had to be an MLA. The people who know us best, who see us possibly at our worst, spoke highly of you all.

So they say if it isn’t on Facebook, it didn’t happen. Well maybe if it’s on Facebook, it likely didn’t happen like that; it’s been polished. And there’s a lot of things that aren’t on Facebook or on social media that you people have done to serve this province.

And I would thank a few that I’m very closely connected with that have made my time here so enjoyable, and that is our Clerks. They’ve put up with me. I’m not the biggest rule follower. I think they worry quite often when they tell me, you can’t do that, and they’re thinking, he might do that. And my staff, Danica and Twyla back in the office, they’ve done a great job serving you all. Lyall and the crew.

But I just wanted to say one thing to all of you before you go back. The whole province is watching. And you know, it’s not nice to see yourself on someone else’s Facebook post when it’s not flattering. It’s kind of a tough job here in the limelight.

And you go to every other cultural function, to every other faith function, every celebration of other birthdays. And I just want to remind you that you have a culture that you need to not be ashamed of, and embrace it and enjoy it and celebrate it and be at those functions as well, for you. And you have faith that is the foundation of what you are and what you do. Make sure you take the time for yourself. You have children and neighbours and parents and grandparents that you need to write that note and be there for their celebrations as well.

And with one final . . . I always talk too much in the end, but this is a lesson for me. And as a father of six . . . And I look at some of you, and you got younger kids and you got grandkids and you got things to do. And yet you’re staying here, and I am watching your Facebook and your other social media content. You guys are everywhere. You people are everywhere.

And my son and I one day . . . He’s my oldest son now, but he was just probably eight at the time. And he wanted me to spend time with him, and we had done all sorts of other things. I got to the end of the day and I said, you’re going to bed now. And he thought, Dad and I are going to spend time together. And so, when we kneeled down to pray that night, I said, why don’t you ask God to tell you something? I’ll ask God to tell me something, and then we’ll share that when we’re done praying.

And so we did. And I said to him, did you hear anything? Did you see anything? And he said, no, did you? And I said, yeah, but I couldn’t see what it was. There was something in the background that I was supposed to see, that God wanted me to see, but there was so much distraction in front. It was like all these bright lights and everything flashing that I couldn’t see what was behind it all. And do you know what it was that was behind the flashing lights and the distractions? It was my son.

So you got a busy life. You’re serving the people. I am so proud of you. The Pages honour you. But take time for the most important things in life. Yesterday we had condolence motions and Herb Cox’s name came up. He was a good guy.

So go home. You’re all serving hard. But as was said from both sides, be a good person and don’t forget what’s most important in your life. So bless you all. May you have a great summer. May you be healthy and safe, and all the people of this province. Thanks.

I recognize the Government House Leader.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you for those words. I ask leave to move a motion regarding sessional adjournment.

Speaker Goudy: — The Government House Leader has requested to make a motion concerning sessional adjournment. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

MOTIONS

Session Adjournment

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Well thank you very much. Mr. Speaker, I move:

That when this Assembly adjourns at the end of this sitting day, in accordance with the parliamentary calendar, it shall stand adjourned until 10 o’clock a.m. on October 27th, 2026, unless earlier recalled by the Speaker upon the request of the government, and if recalled, the Speaker shall give each member seven clear days’ notice, if possible, of such date and time.

Speaker Goudy: — The motion put forward by the Government House Leader:

That when this Assembly adjourns at the end of this sitting day, in accordance with the parliamentary calendar, it shall stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on October 27th, 2026, unless earlier recalled by the Speaker upon the request of the government, and if recalled, the Speaker shall give each member seven clear days of notice, if possible, of such date and time.

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 Government House Leader.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Once again I thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I do move that this Assembly adjourn.

Speaker Goudy: — This Assembly is adjourned until October 27th, 2026 at 10 a.m. Thank you all.

[The Assembly adjourned at 11:40.]

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

Disclaimer: The electronic versions of the Legislative Assembly’s documents are provided on this site for informational purposes only. The Clerk is responsible for the records of each legislature.