Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much and good afternoon, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I would like to ask the Assembly to join me in welcoming, in your gallery, Jim Bence, the president and CEO [chief executive officer] of Saskatchewan Hospitality Association, and Kendra Mazer, the executive director of Hope Restored Canada.

Jim brings decades of leadership and experience in Saskatchewan’s hospitality industry and workplace safety sector. Kendra has more than 15 years of experience in the non-profit sector and is committed to supporting vulnerable individuals, families, and communities across Saskatchewan.

I would very much like to thank Jim and Kendra for their important work that they do each and every day and for joining us here today. I would ask all members to please join me in welcoming them to this, their Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Opposition House Leader.

Nicole Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour to join with the minister opposite on behalf of the official opposition to welcome Jim and Kendra to their Legislative Assembly. I’m assuming they’re here to witness introduction of a piece of legislation later on this afternoon.

Jim, thank you so much for the important work and advocacy that you do. Kendra, I’ve had the opportunity to get to know over the years the hard work that she does being an advocate for survivors of human trafficking and providing some much-needed supports to them in Saskatoon and Saskatchewan. Thank you so much for being here this afternoon. I ask all members to join me in welcoming them once again to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Megan Patterson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I’d like to introduce three incredible people. Justin Rayner sustained a spinal cord injury during a hockey game at the age of 13, but that did not change his love for the game. He has been a scout for the Moose Jaw Warriors for 11 years. Today Justin plays power chair soccer and mentors younger members of the team.

Braden Pettinger sustained a spinal cord injury in 2015 while playing junior hockey at home in Manitoba. He moved to Regina for therapy at First Steps Wellness Centre. He also plays wheelchair rugby, representing Saskatchewan at a national level.

Jessica Frotten is a Paralympian. Originally from the Yukon, she moved to Saskatchewan following a spinal cord injury in 2009. A former member of Canada’s national athletics team, in 2024 she was inducted into the Regina Sports Hall of Fame.

These individuals have all transformed their experiences into opportunities to support others and are strong advocates for accessibility and inclusion. Please join me in welcoming these incredible individuals to this, their Legislative Assembly.

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

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

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Tajinder Grewal: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my special honour to introduce two very special guests sitting in your gallery. They have travelled all the way from Abbotsford, British Columbia. They are my auntie-ji Jaswinder Kaur Sidhu and my uncle-ji Gurdev Singh Sidhu.

What makes them so special? Every election, they travel from BC [British Columbia] to help in my campaign. They did so in 2016, 2020, and 2024. Auntie-ji takes care of the most important job in my campaign: feeding our staff and volunteers. She makes sure nobody goes hungry. In fact she makes sure everyone is well fed. But that’s not all. Auntie-ji has something I would call “magic hands.” If you have back pain, leg pain, neck pain — it’s common when you’re door knocking for 10 to 12 hours — just go to Auntie-ji and she knows exactly where to press, how to press, because she understands the nervous system. And after 10 or 15 minutes, pain is gone and you’re good to go again.

Uncle-ji is equally hard-working. He helps to install lawn signs, deliver flyers, and fix just about everything in the house and in the campaign office. As a retired auto mechanic, he always, always finds something which needs fixing.

Their support means so much to me, our campaign, and our party. They give their time, energy, and love without asking anything in return. And they have already promised to be back in 2028. Thank you, Auntie-ji and Uncle-ji, for everything you do. We are so grateful to have you in our life. I ask all the members to please join me in warmly welcoming my auntie-ji and uncle-ji to the Saskatchewan legislature.

While I’m on my feet, Mr. Speaker, I would also want to welcome my better two-thirds, my wife, Ravinder Grewal. And she’s extremely happy when she’s around Auntie-ji and Uncle-ji. It’s a double blessing to me — happy wife, happy life. Thank you, Ravinder, for everything you do to make me a better person. I ask all the members to please join me, welcome my better two-thirds, Ravinder.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Highways.

Hon. Kim Gartner: — I request leave for an extended introduction.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Hon. Kim Gartner: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s going to be tough. Mr. Speaker, it’s a tremendous honour to rise today and welcome true legends in Saskatchewan’s construction industry. Seated in your gallery today are past Chairs of Western Canada Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association and leaders of the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association.

I’m going to read them fairly quick so please give us a wave. I’m pleased to recognize Chris Lorenc, Maria Lorenc, Brian Morsky, Wayne Morsky, David Paslawski, John Law, Jonas Short, Tim Walchuk, Carmen Duncan, Allan Barilla, and Kevin Arneson.

We’re also joined by the Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association board: Chair Kyle Rivett; board members Harley Diederichs, Jorden Hanus, and Jason Bast; and association president, Shantel Lipp.

Mr. Speaker, these individuals have dedicated their careers to building more than roads, highways, and bridges. Their contributions have helped shape our province’s past, their leadership continues to strengthen our present, and their legacy will support Saskatchewan’s future.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members to join me in giving these legends of Saskatchewan’s construction industry a warm welcome to this, their Legislative Assembly.

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

Darcy Warrington: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On behalf of the official opposition, I want to bring regards from our side of the aisle for all that Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association does for our province, in particular Shantel. The Minister of Highways did a great job of highlighting Chris, Maria, Wayne, David, John, Tim, Carmen, Allan, Kyle, Harley, Jason, Jorden — and I think I forgot one. My apologies.

She and her association work and advocate on behalf of the members who operate job sites across this province, literally paving the road ahead for the people. SHCA’s [Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association] focus on keeping Saskatchewan businesses healthy, vibrant, and able to continue operating successfully in our province is so admirable. I wasn’t able to connect with Shantel and her members at the golf tournaments this year, but I remember fondly the Minister of SaskBuilds driving one a little bit further left than anyone in this Assembly might have thought that he would have. And I look forward to joining you again at the reception; we all do.

And with that I’d like to ask all members to help me in welcoming Shantel Lipp and Saskatchewan Heavy Construction Association to this their Legislative Assembly.

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

Hon. Sean Wilson: — Request leave for a quick extended introduction.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

Hon. Sean Wilson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Joining us in the gallery today is Chris Lorenc, president and CEO of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association and the Western Canada Roadbuilders and Heavy Construction Association. Chris is joined by his wife, Maria.

Chris first became president and CEO of the Manitoba Heavy Construction Association in 1991. Since then he has become one of Canada’s most respected and influential advocates for the heavy construction industry. He was a driving force behind the Canada trade infrastructure plan, an initiative that received unanimous endorsement from Canada’s premiers in 2023.

As Chris prepares to retire at the end of the year, we recognize not only his extraordinary professional achievements but also his unwavering dedication to the people and industries that build this country.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of the Assembly to join me in thanking Chris Lorenc for his 35 years of exceptional leadership, advocacy, and service to Western Canada and our nation’s heavy construction industry. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Bhajan Brar: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to you, through you I would like to introduce five incredible guests sitting in the east Assembly.

Left to right in the front seat: Jagjit Singh. He is a retired senior manager, UCO Bank, Ludhiana. He did his service 37 years. Parminder Kaur, his wife, she served 35 years as principal, Vels senior secondary school, Ludhiana. Karamjit Singh Najjar, he served 37 years service in Punjab police as inspector. And Gurpal Kaur, his wife, 27 years of service she served as lecturer, government senior secondary school. And Prem Singh Gainda, squadron leader and air force pilot for 37 years.

I would like to request all members please welcome them in their Legislative Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Yorkton.

David Chan: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well there’s someone else from BC here in the Chamber today, though I can’t say I’ve been able to get any help whatsoever from him on my campaign. But in the west gallery, sitting beside our beloved chaplain, is Tim Schindel from BC. He’s the president of Leading Influence, though I know him from when I was a teenager as the pastor of Bethel church in Kamloops, BC. And so I just remember him as someone who was always willing to take risks and really cared about people. So I would invite all members to join me in welcoming him to this Legislative Assembly.

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thanks, Mr. Speaker. I’ll certainly join in welcoming Tim here today, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the official opposition. But I want to turn my attention to the three guests that have joined us the floor here today. Incredible athletes, Mr. Speaker, awesome leaders, and you know — I know Jessica’s story — inspirational leaders that are with us here today.

I want to welcome Justin Rayner. Wish him well with those Warriors. You know, not too many best wishes — go Pats still — right, Justin? And then when it comes to Braden Pettinger, awesome to have you here. Rugby athlete that’s joined us here today. And Jessica Frotten, she almost doesn’t need an introduction. This is just an incredible athlete and person, and it’s awesome to have you here again, Jessica, as well.

To you and through you, I want to also thank all the leadership and the team over at First Steps Wellness: Chris Lesanko, Owen Carlson, the whole team and the board there for being a part of putting together a program that’s provided such incredible opportunity and therapeutic exercise and incredible — I guess life-changing — exercise in programs. So, Owen, Chris, the whole team, thank you so very much.

I ask all members to join with me in providing a very warm welcome.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Opposition House Leader.

Nicole Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I’m excited to say today we have 24 grade 10 students from Balfour Collegiate — if you could just give a wave — in my riding. They are seated in the east gallery, Mr. Speaker, and accompanied by their teachers Brianna Carndiff and Chloe Hughes.

[13:45]

Hope you have a wonderful day in the legislature. Looking forward to the opportunity to speak with you after question period. I have some matters I have to attend to in the Chamber immediately after question period. My colleague the member from Regina Wascana Plains has lovingly offered to meet with you in my stead until I’m able to come outside, as long as nothing too crazy happens in here. Very much looking forward to the opportunity.

I hope you have a wonderful afternoon. I ask all members to join me in welcoming this great group of students and their teachers to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Noor Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, it’s my absolute honour and pleasure to give a warm welcome to one of the groups of the students, 21 students from Thom Collegiate school, Mr. Speaker. Can you guys give me a wave? Great.

Mr. Speaker, this school is located in Regina Coronation Park, and this school is doing an amazing job. And I have a really, really good personal connection with this school. I’ve been a driver educator in that school from 2009 till 2023. Mr. Speaker, this amazing students group is accompanied by two incredible teachers, Mr. Michael Duck and Ms. Nicole Roeher. Thank you very much for bringing your class to this Legislative Assembly. And after question period, normally I face their hard questions. But be easy with me, hopefully, would be great.

So I will request all members to join me in welcoming these future leaders to their Legislative Assembly.

PRESENTING PETITIONS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Athabasca.

Leroy Laliberte: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today to present a petition to the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to implement the rent control.

We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan, wish to bring to your attention the following. Saskatchewan leads the nation in average rent increases. Saskatchewan’s average rent continues to increase, rising 4 per cent in the last year. Average rent in Regina has gone up 3.9 per cent in the last year. Average rent in Saskatoon has gone up 5.4 per cent in the last year. Rent control would protect tenants from excessive and unreasonable rent increases. British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island have implemented rent control.

And I’ll read the prayer:

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

The undersigned signatories reside here in Regina. I do so present.

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

Matt Love: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m honoured to rise and present a petition to the Government of Saskatchewan calling for paid sick leave legislation. We know that a healthy workforce is good for the economy. And I’ll take this opportunity as well, Mr. Speaker, to encourage really myself and my colleagues to get their seasonal flu and COVID vaccines, so important in keeping our workplaces healthy.

But, Mr. Speaker, we also know that paid sick leave is important. And we know that if workers could afford to stay home when they’re sick, that good things will happen for our province, our economy, and our families. We certainly believe that no one should be forced to make a difficult choice between going to work sick or staying home and risking the necessities of life — you know, to afford a roof over your head, food on the table for your loved ones, and a warm bed to sleep in.

I’ll also note, Mr. Speaker, that the official opposition has twice introduced paid sick leave legislation.

I’ll read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request that the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to introduce and pass paid sick leave legislation.

Today’s petition is signed by residents of Regina. I do so submit.

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

Don McBean: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m proud to rise to present a petition for the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to immediately address crime in our communities.

The undersigned residents of this petition wish to bring to our attention the following: that Saskatchewan consistently has the highest crime rates among Canadian provinces; 25 consecutive years Saskatchewan has led the country in national crime severity index, homicide rates more than double the national average; that the province has the highest rates of intimate partner violence and intimate partner homicide in Canada; Saskatchewan lacks a comprehensive domestic violence strategy despite repeated calls for one; and that Saskatchewan residents deserve safe communities and access to proven supports like mental health care, addictions treatment, housing, and community safety programs.

I’ll read the prayer:

We respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan call on the Government of Saskatchewan to immediately develop and implement a province-wide crime reduction strategy that addresses root causes of crime, prioritizes prevention, safety, and support for all communities.

The undersigned today reside in Saskatoon. I do so present.

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

Joan Pratchler: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to present our petition calling for the legislature to deliver affordable and accessible child care.

We, the undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan, wish to bring to your attention the following: that child care is an economic enabling infrastructure that needs to be funded adequately; that the Saskatchewan government does not fully fund their end of the $10‑a-day child care deal, leaving parents and operators to cover the cost; that the Saskatchewan government has failed to implement an equitable funding formula for providers, address child care needs of shift workers, implement supports in a wage grid to recruit and retain workers, and develop an adequate salary and benefits program.

I’ll read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan to call on the Government of Saskatchewan to conduct meaningful consultation with relevant stakeholders to address challenges and finally prioritize affordable and accessible child care across Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, this petition has been signed by the residents of Regina. I do so present.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Athabasca.

Remembering Louis Gardiner

Leroy Laliberte: — Mr. Speaker, with sadness but great admiration I rise to give honour to the late Louis Gardiner, a lifelong community member of the northern village of Île-à-la-Crosse and with deep ties throughout the province.

Louis was a force, and he carried a deep commitment and passion for his culture, the land, and his people. In Louis’s own words, he would describe his life “from the trapline to the red line.” As a proud Métis man, Louis spent years advocating and working within all levels of the Métis government, serving as the president of A La Baie Métis Local No. 21 amongst others.

Louis was also a residential school survivor, leading the way for the recognition of the Île-à-la-Crosse residential school alongside many other survivors and community members. Their actions ensured survivors could have their experiences acknowledged.

Big Lou was one of the greatest hockey players to come out of northern Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker, encouraging many young people to be active in the sport and working with many Indigenous communities to make sports accessible.

Louis suddenly passed away in August of this year, Mr. Speaker. His greatest achievement and legacy were his family that he loved greatly. His wife, Mary, children, grandchildren carry that love today. Thank you to the Gardiner family for sharing Louis with us. His legacy lives on. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Lloydminster.

Brain Injury Society Celebrates 40 Years of Service

Colleen Young: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Lloydminster & Area Brain Injury Society, or LABIS, is celebrating its 40th anniversary this fall — four decades of providing support, programs, opportunities, and community to people with acquired brain injuries and their families.

LABIS was founded in 1986 by local families who recognized the need for greater support and understanding for those affected by brain injury, and now they have grown into a long-standing community organization.

In celebration of their 40th anniversary they have launched their “40 Days, 40 Stories” social media campaign highlighting the people, experiences, and community support which has shaped LABIS. The theme for this year’s 40th anniversary is “Nobody Should Face Brain Injury Alone.” The campaign will lead into their winter online auction fundraiser which begins on November 16th.

Mr. Speaker, every year about 2,200 people sustain an acquired brain injury in Saskatchewan. 150 of them will need multiple services and lifetime support. LABIS provides free programs, resources, supports, connections, and more for individuals living with brain injuries and their families throughout the region.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to invite all members to join me in recognizing all the work that LABIS has done and congratulating them on 40 years of incredible service to their community. Thank you.

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

World Teachers’ Day

Joan Pratchler: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. October 5th, 2026 marked the 60th anniversary of World Teachers’ Day. What a great reminder to appreciate the amazing professionals that provide the inspiration and structure for so many of us.

Teachers have always taken on the responsibility of engaging the next generation and establishing the fundamentals of reading, writing, math, critical thinking, and social skills. Even great Saskatchewan artists, engineers, nurses, farmers, moms, dads, entrepreneurs, and so on — we all started by learning the basics.

However in communities today teachers have had to take on the added responsibilities of staving off child hunger; managing student learning with the influence of artificial intelligence; participating in community violence prevention; and establishing a safe environment for the beautiful, diverse classrooms we have today.

World Teachers’ Day was initiated by the International Labour Organization and UNESCO [United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization] with recommendations concerning the status of teachers. Policy-makers are especially called on to protect, promote, and elevate the status of teachers.

As a former teacher, principal, and a Faculty of Education lecturer, I want to send out great appreciation for all the educators in this province. I know how hard you work. I know how much care you have for every student in your classroom. Would everyone please join me in recognizing all the teachers in our communities.

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

Fundraiser Supports Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan

Megan Patterson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In October I had the pleasure of attending the Wheelchair Relay fundraiser in support of Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan. It was an uplifting event that brought people together to raise awareness, celebrate abilities, and support an important local organization.

Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan provides invaluable programs and services to individuals living with spinal cord injury and other physical disabilities. They provide adaptive living supports, education and employment services, community activities, and peer supports. They help individuals build independent, confident, and meaningful connections.

Mr. Speaker, I have tremendous admiration and respect for individuals who navigate life-changing challenges and then dedicate themselves to helping others overcome barriers. Our government remains committed to building a more accessible Saskatchewan where people of all abilities can participate fully, contribute, and thrive.

I ask all members to join me in thanking Spinal Cord Injury Saskatchewan, its dedicated staff, volunteers, and supporters for the outstanding work in helping build a more inclusive province. Thank you.

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

Labour Numbers Show Decline in Full-Time Employment

Nathaniel Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. You know, the Premier tells a good story about a strong and steady Saskatchewan and is happy to stand up and tell us just how good we have it. But labour force numbers paint a very different picture.

So here’s the thing: Saskatchewan only added 300 jobs in September. From September 2025 to September 2026, employment was up a dismal 0.37 per cent, ranking eighth amongst the provinces.

But, Mr. Speaker, the real concern is the kind of jobs that are being created. We lost 5,500 full-time jobs over the past year. All the province’s net growth came from part-time jobs. More and more Saskatchewan people are having to work two jobs just to pay the bills.

Now let’s look outside the major centres. The Yorkton-Melville region had 2,600 fewer jobs than a year earlier, led by a loss of 3,300 full-time jobs. The Prince Albert and northern region lost another 900 jobs.

[14:00]

Now this government will point to a 5.4 per cent unemployment rate, but the labour force shrank 3,500 jobs in September and the participation rate is down 1.5 percentage points. More and more people are giving up looking for work in this province altogether.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan families deserve more than a slogan. They need a government focused on creating good full-time jobs in every corner of this province.

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

Radio Marathon Fundraises for Breast Cancer Research

Kevin Weedmark: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise to recognize the incredible impact of the C95 Radio Marathon for Breast Cancer Research, which has brought hope to Saskatchewan families for 27 years.

This year the C95 Radio Marathon raised a record $628,000, which brings the total raised since its beginnings in 2000 to more than $8 million. Each and every dollar raised stays right here in Saskatchewan supporting local researchers, improving care for patients and families.

The marathon was inspired by Lisa Rendall, a C95 morning show host whose vision was to support research and help others facing breast cancer live longer, healthier lives. And her legacy continues to inspire Saskatchewan people to give generously and to stand behind this important cause. And behind every dollar raised is a story — a mother fighting to see another birthday, a daughter supporting a parent through treatment, a family waiting anxiously for good news. Breast cancer touches countless lives, and too many Saskatchewan families know the fear, the uncertainty, and the heartbreak.

Mr. Speaker, this work is so important. To C95, to the Cancer Foundation of Saskatchewan, to the volunteers, the donors, the survivors, and the families who continue this fight, thank you for turning compassion into action and hope into progress for Saskatchewan families. Thank you.

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

Measures to Combat Crime

Kevin Kasun: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. A strong, steady Saskatchewan means a safe Saskatchewan. Our government has continued to work towards ensuring that crime doesn’t pay, whether that’s new crimes like AI [artificial intelligence] impersonations and deepfakes being used to scam people out of their money, or old crimes like the distribution of illegal and toxic drugs into our communities.

Mr. Speaker, this session our government will introduce several key pieces of legislation that will protect Saskatchewan families. The prevention of deceptive AI Act will prohibit the misuse of AI-generated voices and images involving elections, consumer transactions, and protection of privacy. Later today our Minister of Justice will introduce amendments to The Protection From Human Trafficking Act to ensure that industries report to the police when there is reasonable suspicion of human trafficking.

To support our front-line first responders and their communities, we’ve introduced the small-town and rural police services grant program. And we’re continuing to provide significant support for the RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police], First Nations police, and the municipal police officers.

Mr. Speaker, the Saskatchewan Marshals arrested over 100 fugitives with warrants in Prince Albert and area just this year. We are seeing success in taking illegal drugs and weapons off our streets. Over the last year and a half, cross-agency drug-trafficking sweeps have seized dozens of kilograms of illegal drugs, hundreds of weapons, and thousands of dollars in cash in Prince Albert and other cities.

Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to a safer Prince Albert and a strong, steady Saskatchewan. Thank you.

QUESTION PERIOD

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

Data Centre Tenants

Carla Beck: — Mr. Speaker, the Premier doesn’t seem to think that he’s accountable to the people of Saskatchewan. Eight months and zero public consultation on a massive hyperscale AI data centre being built in the RM [rural municipality] of Sherwood. Mr. Speaker, it’s bigger than 500 CFL [Canadian Football League] football fields.

But the Premier says there’s nothing to see here; he’s got it under control. So given that, just how closely has the Premier looked into the tenants behind this data centre?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, just to correct the record at the outset, I was talking to the Premier the other day, and I know that he did never say that there’s nothing to see here or that it’s under control, Mr. Speaker. Those are not words that the Premier has said. Mr. Speaker, what he has said is that, Mr. Speaker, that this data centre, by a proponent being a Canadian company located . . . [inaudible interjection] . . .

Speaker Goudy: — Member from Regina South Albert, could you apologize. Yes.

Aleana Young: — I apologize, Mr. Speaker.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, this data centre that was announced by myself, by Bell, by the Prime Minister of Canada as well as two former prime ministers of Canada, Mr. Speaker, represents the most significant, the largest investment in Canadian history.

Mr. Speaker, proponent being a Canadian company. Location being in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mr. Speaker. Be subject to Canadian laws to ensure that all Canadians, whether they are sharing information with their family online, whether they are, Mr. Speaker, like the chat NDP [New Democratic Party], using ChatGPT to form their health policy, Mr. Speaker. That all of that online presence is going to actually be governed by Canadian laws with a Canadian company, Mr. Speaker. That is, this represents the largest single investment in the nation of Canada, Mr. Speaker. This is what we do in this province, is we build big and significant things to create jobs for Saskatchewan people, not just today but for years into the future.

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

Carla Beck: — Well then, Mr. Speaker, I guess we can address speaking about oneself in the third person later. But let’s talk about this data centre. The news release announcing this data centre names Cerebras and CoreWeave as the main tenants of the Sherwood hyperscale data centre. Now looking into those companies, Mr. Speaker, it’s very interesting to see who some of the major investors are into these companies. Among those major investors are none other than Donald Trump and Donald Trump Jr.

To the Premier: is he concerned at all that Donald Trump and his son have major holdings in a data centre just 15 minutes south of this building?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Mr. Speaker, if the members opposite would be paying attention to some of the comments of our Prime Minister, our Canadian Prime Minister, just recently and some of the partnerships that the Canadian government is venturing into with a company called Cohere — with Canadian ownership, Mr. Speaker — I think the members opposite will find that Cohere is also going to be a significant partner in the data centre in Canada, right here in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, Mr. Speaker.

Being governed under Canadian law, ensuring that Canadians, Mr. Speaker, including those in Saskatchewan, will have data sovereignty for all of their online presence as I say, whether that’s sharing information with family, whether that’s industrial information, Mr. Speaker. We have many industries, as this is part of over $100 billion investment in our province. Or whether it be the opposition party, Mr. Speaker, the chat NDP putting together their health policy plan asking ChatGPT for what that should look like.

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

Carla Beck: — Perhaps the Premier thinks it’s flippant and it’s cute to treat such major concerns that people in this province have in such a way. But I’m going to continue on, Mr. Speaker.

“Canada will,” and I quote, “end up being the 51st state because that’s the only way it works.” Of course that was Donald Trump. That was at a MAGA [Make America Great Again] rally in Arizona in mid-October this year. To recap, he has started a trade war that has cost thousands of Saskatchewan jobs, and he makes constant threats to our sovereignty.

So why, Mr. Speaker? Why would this Premier green-light two companies with Donald Trump as a major shareholder to run a hyperscale data centre in Saskatchewan?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Premier.

Hon. Scott Moe: — Again, Mr. Speaker, I would point to, this is a Canadian company that is a proponent of this project. Mr. Speaker, this over $50 billion of investment representing the single largest investment in the history of our nation, no less the history of our province, Mr. Speaker, locating data right here in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, will be governed under Canadian law, Mr. Speaker.

And, Mr. Speaker, I would also point to the mention of the company and the partnership between our federal government and Cohere, Mr. Speaker, which is going to be a significant partner of this particular project, Mr. Speaker.

Data sovereignty is an important discussion for us to have. And we may agree or may disagree, Mr. Speaker, on where this data sovereignty should be located. But the fact of the matter is, whether it’s the federal government and the Prime Minister of Canada, whether it’s a provincial government, Mr. Speaker, is we think that the conversation around Canadian data sovereignty, protecting our data is very important right here under Canadian law.

The members opposite may like to send everyone in this province and across the nation’s data to a country on the other side of the world, Mr. Speaker. We don’t believe that to be the best path forward, Mr. Speaker, and that’s why we are going to continue to ensure that we are attracting this investment, creating these jobs for the betterment of Saskatchewan people and all the Canadians.

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

Brittney Senger: — Mr. Speaker, it seems that the Premier does not know where the tenants are located. Mr. Speaker, Donald Trump purchased CoreWeave’s debt just this year. Donald Trump Jr. is on the board of a hedge fund called 1789 Capital that invested heavily in Cerebras.

The Trumps are backing these companies. The White House is backing these companies, all while saying Canada shouldn’t exist. What due diligence did this Premier do before he let two massive Trump-backed companies into Saskatchewan?

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

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well, Mr. Speaker, I would note that Bell Canada Enterprises is not a Trump-owned company. Mr. Speaker, this is a Canadian-owned company, an icon of the Canadian business establishment. Mr. Speaker, I believe over 140 years Bell Canada has been operating in Canada.

But, Mr. Speaker, could there be anything more NDP than opposing the largest private sector investment in the history of Canada? Could there be anything more on brand for those members opposite, Mr. Speaker? And I’ll tell you why, Mr. Speaker. Because that party, at its absolute core, at the absolute core of the NDP, they are anti-investment, they are anti-development, and they are anti-jobs.

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

Brittney Senger: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It seems there is nothing more Sask Party government than not understanding policy like the US CLOUD Act [Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data Act].

Mr. Speaker, the CEO of CoreWeave said Donald Trump’s support has been “incredible” in a July 2025 White House press release. Mr. Speaker, these companies backed Trump and he’s backed them. How can the Premier claim that the Sherwood AI data centre is sovereign when he’s handing our information over to Donald Trump?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of CIC.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — My goodness. Desperation from the members opposite, Mr. Speaker, to oppose the largest . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Lots of sugar on the weekend. It’s quite loud. And our students are doing a great job sitting quietly, and I think we can learn something from them. Minister of CIC.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Bell Canada, Canadian-owned company that is making a $52 billion investment into our province, Mr. Speaker, adamantly opposed by the members opposite, a project that is going to create thousands of jobs, Mr. Speaker, that is right now . . . five, 600 people are on the work site right now and these members are saying that they should all be out of work right now, Mr. Speaker. That’s precisely what they are saying.

Mr. Speaker, this project announced by the Premier — announced by the Prime Minister of Canada and two other former prime ministers present for the announcement as well, Mr. Speaker, because this is a project of national importance and national significance for our AI data and compute backbone in this country — this is going to be an integral project creating thousands of jobs right here in Saskatchewan.

Not a surprise the NDP opposing it, given they oppose every major investment into Saskatchewan.

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

Affordability and Cost of Living

Trent Wotherspoon: — Well, Mr. Speaker, we sure know that minister doesn’t let the facts get in the way, Mr. Speaker, day in, day out. People deserve to know if the data centre’s going to drive up their cost of living at a time where they’re already feeling so much pressure on this front. Meanwhile there’s no cost-of-living relief from this entitled and out-of-touch government in this Throne Speech.

[14:15]

Now last session we proposed action to give families a break: crack down on unfair grocery price gouging, scrap fees for health care, scrap that government’s PST that they’ve stuck on children’s clothes and on groceries, and suspend the fuel tax. Why is there nothing in this Throne Speech to provide relief on the cost of living to Saskatchewan families that are working so hard just to make ends meet?

Speaker Goudy: — Sorry, before the answer, I’m just going to warn us all. The insinuation of facts getting in the way, it’s of the truth. So no more of that.

Recognize the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Jim Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, I shouldn’t be surprised that the Finance critic is confusing the Throne Speech with the budget because he was the architect of the platform for the NDP that confused revenue with expenditures. Matter of record, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the fact of the matter . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — There is parameters around the rules, and I don’t appreciate the Speaker being challenged on letting someone else get away with whatever they want. I am trying to be fair. I am going to make a comment on the old and tired NDP versus ChatGPT . . . Or sorry, old and tired . . . Like honestly, we’re getting back and forth here, and it doesn’t help. So I don’t ever want to hear from either side that I am being partial. I am trying my best.

Minister.

Hon. Jim Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, the last budget — two and a half billion dollars in affordability measures for the people of Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker. We doubled the active families benefit. We doubled the first responders tax credit to $6,000, Mr. Speaker. We still have the second-lowest utility bundle in the country. And most importantly, I believe, Mr. Speaker, is the changes that we’ve made to income tax, Mr. Speaker.

And the members opposite can count on us keeping our platform commitments, Mr. Speaker. They’ll see more income tax reductions in the coming budget in a few months. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — Speaking of architects, you know, memo to the minister. You’re the Finance minister. You put together the budget, and he actually missed his budget by a billion dollars, Mr. Speaker. Deficit after deficit, all while he sticks Saskatchewan people with the taxes and costs due to his mismanagement.

But you know, if you listen to them, everything’s fine for Saskatchewan families — no pressure when it comes to the cost of living. Meanwhile they’ve stuck taxes on Saskatchewan people like that on kids’ clothes and groceries, all making it worse. Rents have risen in an unchecked way, much faster than incomes if we think of our seniors and hard-working folks across this province.

Why isn’t this entitled and out-ot-touch government going to get to work to finally deliver some well-deserved relief for Saskatchewan people?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Jim Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, the last election was virtually fought on the issue, on affordability. It was measures that this side of the House promised versus measures that side of the House promised, Mr. Speaker. And the citizens of Saskatchewan spoke.

Mr. Speaker, we’ve kept our promises. I’ve read a number of them into the record over the past number of months. I’ve read them all into the record numerous times, Mr. Speaker.

We recognize the affordability issues that Saskatchewan, all of us, are facing in this province, Mr. Speaker. But here is the fact: we campaigned on those affordability measures. We continue to keep our promises, Mr. Speaker, unlike NDP BC where, the last election before this one, they campaigned on affordability measures. Then the NDP didn’t keep their promises, and they’re no longer in government. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — You know, under this entitled and out-of-touch Sask Party government, it seems there’s two Saskatchewans, Mr. Speaker — that lot over there and then the rest of Saskatchewan who’s working so hard just to make ends meet.

We proposed action in bills last session that would have delivered relief, like scrapping the PST [provincial sales tax] on kids’ clothes and groceries. Now they refused to pass those laws. They’re just sticking Saskatchewan people with the bill from their mismanagement, Mr. Speaker.

Will that minister finally admit that this is a mistake? And will he work with us to pass some real relief on the cost of living for Saskatchewan people?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Finance.

Hon. Jim Reiter: — Mr. Speaker, as I said, every budget, two and a half billion dollars’ worth of affordability measures. I read many of them into the record, Mr. Speaker, but there’s more. The NDP opposite ask for rent control, although virtually every jurisdiction in the world has shown that rent control doesn’t work, Mr. Speaker. What are we doing instead? The secondary suite incentive, Mr. Speaker, to help lower the cost of rent for citizens across the province. It’s been very successful.

There are numerous programs we’ve done, Mr. Speaker. We have promised during the last election campaign on a number of affordability measures, Mr. Speaker. We’ve kept every single one of them. Some of them are implemented over four years like the income tax cuts, Mr. Speaker. You’ll see that happening in next budget. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Advertising Expenditures

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, last week I asked the Minister of Agriculture, the Minister of CIC, and the Minister of Health exactly how much money has been spent by their ministries on advertisement in the pages of The World-Spectator. I still haven’t gotten an answer. It’s been about a week.

So to the Minister of Health or the Minister of CIC or the Minister of Agriculture or even the Minister of Finance: can they tell us how much government money has been handed over to The World-Spectator for government advertisement since 2024?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Justice.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. And I actually believe my colleagues — the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Health — did a good job of explaining last week that this . . . Oh, I understand the members opposite don’t understand it. They have never been in government and they never will be, Mr. Speaker. However the members on this side . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Again, back and forth. Let’s keep the aggressive words to a minimum please. Minister of Justice.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Well, Mr. Speaker, my colleagues explained that the government actually funds ad agencies, and the ad agencies then distribute the funds across a variety of mediums, whether that’s television, whether that’s radio, whether that’s print media, Mr. Speaker. And Mr. Speaker, I would say those processes are in place for a reason. They are there because they abide by the rules of this legislature. They abide by the rules of the Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

Mr. Speaker, I would hope that the members opposite understand that much because half of those members used public funds — taxpayer funds — to enrich their caucus Chair’s family photography business. So I would hope that they used, Mr. Speaker, that the same processes . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — I think I ruled the other day that we won’t be bringing some of these issues into the Chamber here. Minister, would you apologize and withdraw on that?

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Apologize and withdraw for that comment, Mr. Speaker. But the point is, Mr. Speaker, that the members opposite should understand very well that we follow a procedure that is in compliance with the rules of this House and with the Conflict of Interest Commissioner. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Meara Conway: — I’ll explain it, Mr. Speaker. We’re talking a lot about understanding. Be that as it may, the people of Saskatchewan may still want to know how much of their money is going to this newspaper. And I’ll explain exactly why that may be of concern to the people of Saskatchewan in a straight and factual manner, Mr. Speaker.

This is a paper owned by one of their colleagues, the member for Moosomin. This is a paper that recently returned a portion of a federal grant that it receives. This is a paper that donated to its owner, the member from Moosomin’s election campaign. So if the Minister of Finance doesn’t want to tell us or can’t tell us how much money has gone into this newspaper since his colleague’s election in 2024, can he tell us whether he thinks it’s appropriate for this money to continue to go to government advertisement in the pages of The World-Spectator?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Justice.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to draw the parallel, she’s talking about a newspaper that one of the members on this side has a ownership share in. The same as on that side, there’s a photography business in Saskatoon that their caucus Chair and his wife have ownership share of, Mr. Speaker. There is a parallel . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — It’s the tone, and last time it seemed like a shot back off the bow. But you were asking for clarity, and he is giving clarity how the two . . . There is a comparison of the profitability of one side and the family member. In debate, there’s clarity back and forth. He’s trying to explain the perception of the public. You asked the members to be able to explain, does he feel it’s fair? And he is giving his argument back.

Minister.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what we’re talking about is privately owned businesses that may or may not — according to the allegation — may or may not receive public funds, Mr. Speaker. And in this case, what we’re talking about is the public funds that go to an advertising agency to ensure that those funds are distributed at arm’s-length, Mr. Speaker.

On that side of the House they have public funds that are going to enrich a private member’s family business, Mr. Speaker. I would ask: are they following the same rules with the Conflict of Interest Commissioner that this side is? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Provision of Health Care in Saskatoon

Keith Jorgenson: — Mr. Speaker, last week we were joined by Shawna and Kelly Hanke who came to the legislature looking for answers after their daughter tragically died of a broken ankle in Saskatoon. She died of a broken ankle eight months — eight months — after 452 health care workers warned that Premier and warned that Minister of Health of dangerous conditions at that hospital.

What tangible steps has this minister taken to address those issues at RUH [Royal University Hospital] — not at another hospital, at RUH — to make sure that no one ever dies of a broken ankle in Saskatchewan again?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the member opposite did state, I had the opportunity to meet with the Hanke family last week. And again I want to offer my condolences on the loss of their daughter. Very tragic situation.

As I outlined last week, Mr. Speaker, on the floor of this Assembly, there is currently a patient safety review under way with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. The Saskatchewan Health Authority is engaged with the Hanke family and will be continuing to engage them, Mr. Speaker.

In terms of action steps taken by our government under the patients-first health care plan to ensure that patients get the right care at the right time as close to home as possible, Mr. Speaker, opening nearly 300 new acute care beds right across the province over the last several years, Mr. Speaker. Many of them in the city of Saskatoon, at Royal University Hospital, at Saskatoon City Hospital, at St. Paul’s Hospital, Mr. Speaker, and new beds as well at Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, Mr. Speaker.

We understand that Saskatoon is the centre for care for many patients in this province, Mr. Speaker. That’s exactly why this government is making those types of significant investments into the city of Saskatoon.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Athabasca.

Consultation with First Nations regarding Data Centre Project

Leroy Laliberte: — Mr. Speaker, two First Nations in southern Saskatchewan, Carry the Kettle and Standing Buffalo, are raising concerns about the Sherwood data centre. They were not consulted before this megaproject was under way. They have received no answers from this entitled and out-of-touch government. And when they raised concerns to the Premier, they were told to talk to Bell Canada.

That’s no way to do this project, Mr. Speaker, and it’s no way to run a government. What does the government say to the First Nations that were ignored on the Bell data centre?

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of CIC.

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Well, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I would note that George Gordon First Nation is a partner in this project with Bell Canada on building this very, very important project, Mr. Speaker. I would say as well that Bell is committed to making sure — I know they’ve said this publicly — all . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Wow. Okay, Minister, please finish. Are you finished?

Hon. Jeremy Harrison: — Yeah, no, thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. This is a generationally significant project, a largest investment in the history of Canada. The NDP have no interest in consultation. The NDP’s only interest in this project is shutting it down, Mr. Speaker, and putting thousands of people out of work.

[14:30]

Speaker Goudy: — Okay, before we move on, everybody hang on just . . . We’ve got to be cautious in saying what the opposition want to do, what they don’t want to do. We need to speak for ourselves. Again, if it’s good for one side, it also . . . We have to be careful about putting intentions into the other side. And I think at the end of that comment, we were saying what the NDP do or don’t want to do, and I would ask that we steer clear of that tomorrow, please. Thank you.

Ministerial statements . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — Honestly, people, please.

INTRODUCTION OF BILLS

Bill No. 631 — The Restricting Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Opposition House Leader.

Nicole Sarauer: — I move that Bill No. 631, The Restricting Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets Act be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the Opposition House Leader that Bill No. 631, The Restricting Property Controls for Grocery Stores and Supermarkets 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?

Nicole Sarauer: — At the next sitting of the Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

Bill No. 632 — The Rent Control Act, 2026

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Opposition House Leader.

Nicole Sarauer: — Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 632, The Rent Control Act, 2026 be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been introduced by the Opposition House Leader that Bill No. 632, The Rent Control Act, 2026 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?

Nicole Sarauer: — At the next sitting of the Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

Bill No. 633 — The Provincial Sales Tax Amendment Act, 2026

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 633, The Provincial Sales Tax Amendment Act, 2026 be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the member from Regina Mount Royal that Bill No. 633, The Provincial Sales Tax Amendment Act, 2026 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?

Trent Wotherspoon: — The next sitting of the Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

Bill No. 634 — The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance (Banning Private Fees) Amendment Act

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

Meara Conway: — Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 634, The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance (Banning Private Fees) Amendment Act — that’s a mouthful — be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the member from Regina Elphinstone-Centre that Bill No. 634, The Saskatchewan Medical Care Insurance (Banning Private Fees) Amendment Act be 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?

Meara Conway: — At the next sitting of the Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

Bill No. 635 — The Provincial Health Authority (Banning Parking Fees for Cancer Patients) Amendment Act

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

Jared Clarke: — Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 635, The Provincial Health Authority (Banning Parking Fees for Cancer Patients) Amendment Act be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the member from Regina Walsh Acres that Bill No. 635, The Provincial Health Authority (Banning Parking Fees for Cancer Patients) Amendment Act be 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?

Jared Clarke: — At the next sitting of the Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

Bill No. 636 — The Consumer Protection and Business Practices (Banning Unfair A.I. Pricing) Amendment Act

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

Brittney Senger: — Mr. Speaker, I move that Bill No. 636, The Consumer Protection and Business Practices (Banning Unfair A.I. Pricing) Amendment Act be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the member from Saskatoon Southeast that Bill No. 636, The Consumer Protection and Business Practices (Banning Unfair A.I. Pricing) 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?

Brittney Senger: — At the next sitting of the Assembly.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

Bill No. 65 — The Protection From Human Trafficking Amendment Act, 2026

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Justice.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I move that Bill No. 65, The Protection From Human Trafficking Amendment Act, 2026 be now introduced and read a first time.

Speaker Goudy: — It has been moved by the Minister of Justice that Bill No. 65, The Protection From Human Trafficking Amendment Act, 2026 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?

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Next sitting, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — Next sitting.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

SPECIAL ORDER

ADJOURNED DEBATES

ADDRESS IN REPLY

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the address in reply which was moved by Brad Crassweller, seconded by Travis Keisig, and the proposed amendment to the main motion moved by Vicki Mowat.]

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

Trent Wotherspoon: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’ll sort of finish up or conclude my remarks here on the Throne Speech here today. I know I had the chance to be up on Thursday and to talk about our riding, our community, our province — this incredible place that we all love, all the potential within it, all those that contribute to its strength. I talked a little bit about family and those involved in our work as well: Jannet Shanks in our constituency office, who’s just the finest, Mr. Speaker.

And then I was able to start to get into some of the key issues that I know the good people I represent are looking for: health care and the cost of living, Mr. Speaker; the kind of education that their kids can count on, Mr. Speaker; good stewardship, good management of our public finances, Mr. Speaker; and much more.

I’m going to delve into a couple areas that I didn’t get too far into last Thursday, Mr. Speaker. But clearly the cost of living — just to make sure that I’ve made that point again — this is something causing significant strain on Saskatchewan families and farms and businesses across this province as well, Mr. Speaker.

And we see a government that looks the other way when it comes to those costs, that want to deny that reality that families across this province in every corner know all too well, Mr. Speaker, and deny them the kind of meaningful cost-of-living relief that they deserve. A government that continues to stick families with the cost of their PST on so many fronts — including kids’ clothes and groceries, if you can imagine — on so many other fronts as well and continues to allow Saskatchewan families to feel that pain at the pumps instead of offering some relief on the price of fuel, Mr. Speaker.

And of course this is a government that in this budget now has significant unplanned revenues as a result of the very high price of oil that’s sustained. This comes straight out of the conflict that’s impacted the Strait of Hormuz, the reckless actions of course of Trump, Mr. Speaker. But it’s Saskatchewan families that are paying the price at the pumps — families’, farms’, and businesses’ costs that are really through the roof. But the province, on the other hand, has significant additional revenues because of that high oil price. We’re saying, use some of those dollars, Mr. Speaker. Use some of those dollars to provide some relief at the pumps.

When it comes to health care, again 6 out of 10 Saskatchewan families, Saskatchewan people that don’t have access to primary care, to a family doctor, Mr. Speaker. The longest wait times in Canada, Mr. Speaker. Now this is horrible for somebody that’s waiting in pain, whose quality of life has directly been impacted, where their livelihood has been impacted. And they deserve a timely surgery. Our health care system is in a real bad way. This is a government that’s really put it in the ditch, that’s put us in last place on so many measures, Mr. Speaker.

And I just want to commend our team, our leader, and specifically the MLA [Member of the Legislative Assembly] for Elphinstone-Centre as well as the MLA for Walsh Acres for being such strong leads on the front to bring forward solutions that are going to get this health care system that we all are so proud of and depend on back on its feet, to make sure that health services and health care is there for Saskatchewan people where and when they need it in every corner of Saskatchewan. All through your riding as well, Mr. Speaker; I know I’m not supposed to bring the Deputy Speaker into debate. In everyone’s riding in this Assembly, Mr. Speaker. And this is something that’s just so important to the future of our province.

I’d like to touch on education as well. I mean, this is the foundation of our future, right. This is what allows every young person in our province to live up to their full potential, Mr. Speaker, and it’s been shortchanged year after year after year by this Sask Party government. And it has had a direct and really damaging result in our kids’ classrooms, Mr. Speaker.

Every single kid in Saskatchewan is being shorted of the education they deserve because of a government that’s taken funding, yes, from first to last place, that’s attacked teachers along the way, that’s failed to understand how important education is to young people across our province and our province as a whole, Mr. Speaker.

Now the consequences of this long-lasting shortchanging of education, they’re huge, Mr. Speaker. And we’re not talking about something that can even be corrected in a year or two. You have one chance to get it right when you’re talking about the education of a young person, Mr. Speaker. And what we’re doing, what’s happening by way of the choices that that government is making by shortchanging education and students, is they’re shortchanging the future of this province socially, economically, all fronts, Mr. Speaker. They’re eroding the future and the potential of this beautiful province by shortchanging education, Mr. Speaker.

When we see our communities right now, I think we see things in our communities that we’ve never seen before when it comes to kind of community safety and vulnerable situations and the challenges of mental health and addictions, Mr. Speaker. And it’s just not good enough for this government to offer up kind of the tired rhetoric that we see in this Throne Speech again when we see the results, Mr. Speaker, the results that are being played out across our province.

And we see a government that made the deliberate choice to cancel the direct payment for landlords, for example, knowing in their briefing notes, Mr. Speaker, that this was going to displace many people across Saskatchewan and then leave them in a much more precarious environment. Well look what’s happened across Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker. Look what’s happened in our communities. Look what’s happened to the lives of many people, Mr. Speaker.

We’ve seen the encampments, for example, across this province, Mr. Speaker. It’s not acceptable. It’s nowhere for those that are finding home in the encampments to be living, Mr. Speaker. It’s not safe. It’s not the place for them. It’s not the right place for a community, Mr. Speaker. It’s not right for someone’s park to be utilized in this way because of the negligence and the direct choices of this provincial government, Mr. Speaker.

And it’s certainly not right then for this government to wash their hands of those consequences, to dump that onto the municipal government and then to leave those, you know, of course without the basic supports that they need. Some pretty simple stuff, Mr. Speaker, that could go a long ways.

When we look at the consequences as well for some of the most vulnerable in this province, Mr. Speaker, we’re not making headway on these fronts. It’s becoming more challenging. You know, we talk about classrooms and students and young people. Well let’s look at child poverty, Mr. Speaker. And I’ll tell you what, if a young person doesn’t have a safe roof over their head or a square meal in their belly, learning is a non-starter, Mr. Speaker.

And when you look at child poverty at 40 per cent in this province, Mr. Speaker, like that should be like a wake-up call to every single person within this province and everyone within this Assembly. Instead we hear rhetoric from this government and a whole bunch of back-patting of themselves, Mr. Speaker, presiding over something that should be acceptable to no one.

We look at the stewardship of our public resources, our finances, Mr. Speaker. Saskatchewan people deserve good stewardship of our finances, responsible management, Mr. Speaker. They deserve value for money. And they deserve those dollars to be invested and deployed in ways that make our systems, like health care, perform.

Instead time and time again we see a government that wastes money hand over fist, Mr. Speaker. Dollars that can’t be taken back, Mr. Speaker. Dollars that are wasted, Mr. Speaker. And it comes with consequences: underperforming systems, a health care system that’s broken, and a government that can’t manage the finances and then continues to stick Saskatchewan people with the costs.

[14:45]

You know, we see that ballooning debt from this government that has wasted money on front after front for so many years: $45 billion and climbing, Mr. Speaker. We look at the interest, the cost to just service that debt — interest payments over $1.2 billion. Now just back in 2018, not a long time ago, when the Premier came to office, that amount was $500 million. So more than doubled, Mr. Speaker, just to pay for the interest on that ballooning debt.

And that’s $1.2 billion that are not there for our classrooms, that are not there for health care where we need it, Mr. Speaker, that aren’t there when people need some cost-of-living relief. So there’s serious consequences for the people of Saskatchewan from that tax-and-squander record that we see opposite, Mr. Speaker.

And the people of this province, well they’ve seen this story before, Mr. Speaker, and they deserve the value for money that they deserve. They work real hard of course for their dollars, and they contribute and pay their fair share, Mr. Speaker, by way of taxes. They deserve a government that’s going to manage those resources in a responsible way, deliver value in a high-performing system, Mr. Speaker, and cost-of-living relief, Mr. Speaker.

When we look at other areas like agriculture, Mr. Speaker, we’ve got the world’s best producers — incredibly enterprising, innovative, and always ready to do the work. Those that take the risk do the work, Mr. Speaker. And this year was a challenging one for many producers, the most expensive crop in Saskatchewan’s history, Mr. Speaker, when you look at the price of fertilizer that was through the roof, Mr. Speaker — we already talked about the impacts of the reckless actions of Trump and the Strait of Hormuz, Mr. Speaker — fertilizer prices that are through the roof, and then a diesel price that was already high and just continued to climb towards a harvest that was wet and delayed, Mr. Speaker. At the same time then you had to stack on the cost of grain drying, Mr. Speaker.

This was a challenging year for the world’s best producers who did all they can, took the risk, did the work, Mr. Speaker, and were stuck with those costs. Along the way we’ve been calling for relief when it comes to diesel costs, Mr. Speaker. We pushed forward for a rebate to offer a bit of relief.

Of course we know the high price of oil is filling the coffers in an unplanned way of this provincial government, but it’s Saskatchewan producers that are taking a hit with the price of diesel, almost twice the cost for fuel on your average farm this year, Mr. Speaker, for harvest, Mr. Speaker. So we’ve been calling for relief with a diesel rebate.

We’ve called as well for a rebate on the cost of grain drying from that wet and delayed harvest, Mr. Speaker, to make sure producers, that we have their backs. I think it’s fair to say agriculture and producers are a solid backbone of this province, and we need to have those producers’ backs as well.

Just the same we’re going to continue to push for this government to finally wake up and act when it comes to enforcing the law with respect to illegal foreign farm-landownership and acquisition, Mr. Speaker, a government that has failed to act on this front, that has sold out the best interests of Saskatchewan producers and agriculture on this front, Mr. Speaker.

And we’re going to call them out as well and call on them to end the acquisition of farm land by institutional investments and trusts, Mr. Speaker, that are consolidating Saskatchewan farm land not in the interests of Saskatchewan producers or agriculture. And again we have a government that just drags its feet on this front, Mr. Speaker. They’re into another review on this front, Mr. Speaker, instead of enforcing the law and making sure they have the backs and the best interests of producers.

With respect to the research farms, Mr. Speaker, and the cuts by the federal government, we were clear from day one that these should be reversed. We see this as backwards. We see this kind of research as so vital to Saskatchewan agriculture and to producers. We’ve worked with the seed growers and the commodity groups and the oilseed producers of this province and so many more, Mr. Speaker.

And we continue to call on this government to make sure they act to ensure that those research farms continue, to support a model — if the feds are going to back away on this front — to support a model that supports Saskatchewan producers and that research going forward for generations, Mr. Speaker. And we’ve seen the MOU [memorandum of understanding], Mr. Speaker. That’s well and good, but now it’s time to get around to the action, Mr. Speaker, because another growing season is coming along fast and that planning is now, Mr. Speaker.

We need to make sure that research, that invaluable crop research continues, Mr. Speaker. It’s been continuous research for generations, Mr. Speaker, and it can’t be disrupted. We need to make sure that producers know for certain that Indian Head and Scott, those research farms will be operating and in the interests of Saskatchewan producers.

We’ve been pushing this government to push hard and to support our calls for a grain transport costing review, Mr. Speaker. It’s not right for producers to be paying more than they should, to not have the kind of performance they need in our grain transportation system, Mr. Speaker.

And when it comes to rail and moving their product, Mr. Speaker, it’s well past time for the federal government to act. And Saskatchewan should be there as a lead partner to make sure that the CTA [Canadian Transportation Agency] acts to conduct a grain costing review with a full goal of making sure that we bring down costs for Saskatchewan producers and we improve performance of our transportation network for the hard-working producers of our province.

With respect to business risk management programs, there are certainly important areas to improve right now with that wet and delayed harvest and the incredibly high cost. Things like AgriStability need to be improved with advance payments, Mr. Speaker. The cash flow crunch is now, Mr. Speaker.

And we continue to use our voice and we continue to push this government to take up the call with the federal government to work with the other provinces, Mr. Speaker, to make livestock price insurance a national program, to make sure that we make those improvements to have the backs of livestock producers in this province, Mr. Speaker. And there needs to be equity on this front. The province and the federal government should contribute to livestock price insurance, Mr. Speaker, just in the ways they do on crop insurance. It’s not right to leave the livestock sector without that important backstop.

On that front as well, Mr. Speaker, we need to make sure that we lead out of this province and work with the federal government and the Competition Bureau to crack down on the anti-competitive behaviours of the livestock, of the meat-packing industry, Mr. Speaker. A duopoly, a foreign duopoly, that doesn’t provide fairness to producers or value to producers and certainly to consumers as well, Mr. Speaker. There’s a very important place for provincial leadership on this front and to work with the federal government to crack down on that front.

In so doing, Mr. Speaker, there’s a wonderful opportunity to really build up the meat-processing industry in Saskatchewan. We’ve got wonderful abattoirs and meat processors across this province, but there’s so much more opportunity. And this represents value for producers, Mr. Speaker, fairness with respect to the price of their live cattle, Mr. Speaker. It provides value as well and opportunity for consumers, Mr. Speaker, who I know so many would love to support local and to support that, you know, from-farm-to-fork experience, Mr. Speaker. So this is something that represents fairness for producers, value for producers, the same for consumers, and economic opportunity for many parts of rural Saskatchewan as well, Mr. Speaker.

I’ll move along just a little bit, Mr. Speaker. Of course we . . . I mentioned it with the grain costing review, but we really need to make sure we get that transportation network built out and performing for the exporters of this province. Certainly producers know that very well, but it’s critical to our entire exporting economy, Mr. Speaker.

I’ll touch on two last things and then I’m going to pass the torch here to whoever is next, Mr. Speaker. I just want to bring attention to Highway 22, basically east of Southey, Mr. Speaker, to Cupar. You know, talk about mismanagement, Mr. Speaker. What this government did with money and the good hard-working people of that region, Mr. Speaker, this summer is something no one should tolerate, Mr. Speaker. They tore apart the chunk of road, Mr. Speaker, the Highway 22 from Southey to Markinch, Mr. Speaker, as opposed to fixing the couple problem spots, Mr. Speaker, and made a mess of it. Made a mess of it. Spent millions of dollars, and it’s in worse shape — way worse shape — than when they started, Mr. Speaker.

Then you go a little further for the stretch, Mr. Speaker, just west of Cupar, and that portion needed a full rebuild. The foundation of, substructure of that road, Mr. Speaker — you could ask the road builders that were here today, some of the finest road builders in the world — it was fallen into full disrepair, Mr. Speaker, and needed to be built up. What they did in coming in with, you know, sand and making a mess on top of it, Mr. Speaker, making it impassable for many, making it unsafe for so many, Mr. Speaker, was unacceptable. Wasted millions in the process.

What’s worse is they failed to listen to the people of the region. You know, when I was at the meeting there in July, Mr. Speaker, where the community came together — farmers and commuters and those that drive those roads all the time, Mr. Speaker — and they were very clear with their MLA and with this government that they had to go back to the drawing board, that this road was not safe, that the projects weren’t acceptable.

They brought forward accounts as well of the contractor sharing that this wasn’t going to work, what the government was trying to do, that it was going to be a complete waste of money, Mr. Speaker, instead of building it out right. Now that was dismissed, of course, by their local MLA as well as by this government, Mr. Speaker. And now Highway 22 is in unsafe condition going into winter, Mr. Speaker.

Now that road itself is a really valuable artery, Mr. Speaker. It connects emergency services, Mr. Speaker, and ambulance and fire services, all of which have been directly impacted by the mismanagement of that project by this government. It connects students and families to work and to school. Just use the example of the football team. They come together from multiple communities, are up and down that road all the time. Many hard-working people are coming in to work, whether in Regina or other communities, and it’s not safe.

It’s also an incredibly important economic artery, very important to move grain. And we’re not talking small trucks here, Mr. Speaker. So the situation that they’ve left the community in is unacceptable. Producers in that area are moving grain, of course, well to the terminal itself in Cupar, Mr. Speaker, up the road to the terminal in Southey, the other way east out to Balcarres, up to the canola crush in Yorkton, back down to the canola crush in Regina. And it’s not acceptable to be left in the condition that it is.

The government claims they got two seal coats on that and the project’s done. Well, Mr. Speaker, you have to see this thing. It’s not safe. It’s not acceptable. And we’re going to keep standing with the community to push for action and for it to be built the way the community deserves, Mr. Speaker.

One last little touch, Mr. Speaker. And I’m glad to see a change of course on this front. But we saw . . . I mean it sort of speaks to this government. They went mid-season, mid-hunting season and announced that they were doing in the chronic wasting disease volunteer testing program, Mr. Speaker.

Now they didn’t consult with the hunters of this province, Mr. Speaker. They didn’t consult with the wildlife federation, Mr. Speaker. And they attacked research and a program that’s relied on by many hunters, Mr. Speaker, hunters that go to a whole bunch of work and a big investment to not just harvest that animal but then to prepare that meat, Mr. Speaker, in a way that their family can trust and count on. And they threatened taking away the peace of mind that Saskatchewan hunters can receive through that testing program.

They also took away, in so doing, the very important research. And of course hunters participate voluntarily into this very important research on this front, Mr. Speaker. It was just a real bad move. It was backwards. I want to commend all of the hunters of this province, so many others, certainly the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation for standing up in such a strong, solid, and thoughtful way, Mr. Speaker, using their voice.

And you know, I will shout out to the minister that I appreciate them recognizing that this was the wrong way to go. And it takes something to recognize that you’ve made a mistake, and I appreciate that minister. I was there when she made the announcement, said that they had, you know, gone down the wrong path here and made a mistake. And I appreciate a government recognizing that and making that correction, Mr. Speaker. But again to blow up a program like this, Mr. Speaker, without any consultation with hunters mid-season, Mr. Speaker, was just not cool at all.

[15:00]

And if you think about it, this is such a proud and important heritage industry in this province. It’s something that so many of us, including my family, cherish about this province, Mr. Speaker. And it’s something that really drives the economy as well — $15 million directly in licences from hunters and anglers in Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker.

This program is a very small fraction of that, Mr. Speaker, and important to this industry and to hunters. And of course hunters then are then making that investment as well — and anglers — and putting in those dollars into rural communities and economies across this province, Mr. Speaker.

So I want to thank all those hunters that stood up. It was an honour to work with you all. And I want to again say to the minister, I appreciate that they did identify that this was the wrong path, that this was a big mistake, and to have reversed course.

With that being said, Mr. Speaker, I’m probably getting a look from my Whip over here, that’s saying I’ve taken enough time here in my response, Mr. Speaker.

This Throne Speech really fails to respond to the challenges Saskatchewan people face with cost of living and health care and education, Mr. Speaker. It doesn’t speak to delivering the kind of cost-of-living relief that Saskatchewan people need and deserve. It fails to step up to the incredible opportunities in this province, Mr. Speaker, this province that we all love.

So I won’t be supporting the Throne Speech. I will be supporting the amendment that’s been brought forward by the good member from Saskatoon Fairview and seconded by the member for Regina Walsh Acres. And I thank you for that, Mr. Speaker.

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

Hon. Jamie Martens: — Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to rise to deliver my third reply to the Speech to the Throne.

I continue to be grateful for my constituents for placing their trust in me to be their voice in rooms where decisions are made. And I’m grateful for the honour of serving the people of Saskatchewan. I am honoured to walk down these halls and be a part of our history.

In 1867 Canada was founded on a promise where if you worked hard, you had a good life. In 1905 Saskatchewan was founded on that Canadian promise. Our first premier, Walter Scott, had that vision. This is what our government stands for and what we are delivering on because unlike the last 10 years, Canada is building again. As a government we are pleased to have partners that are willing to do the work with us to have Saskatchewan become the strongest province in Canada.

In addition I would like to thank the men and the women who selflessly put their lives on the line to defend our country. When individuals decide to serve, that’s not a small feat; it’s not a light decision. After hearing the tragic news on October 17th at CFB [Canadian Forces Base] Wainwright, I among with many Canadians waited for the news, hoping there were no fatalities, hoping that no one was hurt. And as we watched with anticipation, we learned we had lost four of our members. We heard of so many more that were seriously injured.

Canada has lost Sergeant Morgan Wong, age 26; Private Shaun Farrell, age 23; Private Aidan Goulding, age 23; and Private Hayden Lykkemark, age 19.

A quote: “We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who harm us,” which is Winston Churchill. This was a serious reminder of how small our daily issues really are. Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it. And as these families grieve the loss of their loved ones, as well as the families with severely injured soldiers, we remember to never forget who stands in the shoes for our safety.

And, Mr. Speaker, I was honoured to take part in the International Association of Human Trafficking Investigators training conference. Well I couldn’t be pulled away as I was drawn to the stories from the survivors, from experienced investigators, and from Paul Brandt, the Canadian country music star.

A little story about Paul Brandt. It was my first year when I volunteered to police Craven, and that was at that point in time Craven jamboree. He was one of the headliners. I was able to meet with him backstage, and our paths crossed again now in such a meaningful way. I will leave his story about how he became involved with bringing awareness to human trafficking for all of you to one day hear for yourselves.

And today I raise my voice for all those who have been silenced, my heart for all of those who have been hurt, and my commitment to those who are still searching for freedom. Human trafficking is not something that happens only somewhere else. It can happen in all of our communities, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. And behind every statistic is a human life with dreams, a family, and a future that deserves to be protected.

Here in Saskatchewan, bringing awareness forward means shining a light on this hidden reality, educating our communities, recognizing the warning signs, and working together to protect the vulnerable. It means ensuring survivors are met with compassion, dignity, and hope rather than judgment.

So let this be a call to action for every Saskatchewan community. From our largest cities to our smallest rural towns, let us educate ourselves, support organizations working in the front lines, speak openly about human trafficking, and ensure that our schools, workplaces, families, and communities know how to recognize the signs and where to turn for help.

Let us work together across Saskatchewan to protect those at risk and give survivors support that they need to rebuild their lives. We may not always see the suffering but we can choose to see the people. We can choose to speak up, to stand together, and to make sure that no one feels forgotten or alone. Because every person deserves freedom, every person deserves safety, and every person deserves the chance to live a life free of exploitation.

Our government will amend The Protection from Human Trafficking Act and will require the hospitality industry and ride-sharing platforms to report to the police when there is reasonable suspicion to believe that another human being is being subjected to human trafficking.

Let Saskatchewan be known not by the darkness that we turn away from, but by the light that we bring to those who need it most. Together let us break the silence and the exploitation and stand for the freedom and dignity of every human being. Because no person should be bought, sold, or forgotten. Not in our cities, not in our province, and not in our country — not anywhere in the world.

And, Mr. Speaker, along the lines of policing and safety, I would like to congratulate the Saskatchewan Marshals Service for a successful first year of operation. These officers are helping catch some of the most prolific offenders, which in turn keeps our communities safe.

And, Mr. Speaker, we are so blessed, so very blessed to live here in Saskatchewan. Our commitment as a government to the people of this province from day one has been a strong and steady Saskatchewan.

What does this mean for my constituency? Our government has implemented a new nurse practitioner in Martensville on top of the three from the Martensville primary care clinic. As well, we recently saw the implementation of the 80 new acute care beds between the three Saskatoon hospitals and the start of a new cancer lodge construction in Saskatoon.

In education this past summer, we recently saw the start of our potential design of the francophone school in Kensington, with other schools in Saskatoon on the way. And not to mention all of the planning going into the Martensville and Warman joint-use high school.

How are we paying for this? Well we are paying for this because Saskatchewan is attracting over $100 billion of investment comprising over 60 major projects. Many of them are already under way. Saskatchewan is the place to be. I choose to be on the right side of history when it comes to being the best province in Canada. We are strong. It’s a quiet decision to rise when everything wants you to stay down. It is the person who rebuilds after loss without waiting for the perfect conditions and the one who speaks the hard truth with kindness and chooses integrity when no one is watching.

We are steady. Being steady means standing firm in your values, staying true to your purpose, and continuing to take one step at a time even when progress feels slow. It’s about showing up consistently, working hard, and never losing sight of what matters the most. Because steady people understand that real strength comes from patience, perseverance, and the courage to keep going when challenges arise.

And, Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan is ready. Being ready is more than waiting for the right moment. It is putting in the work, building the relationships, and developing the roads to make things happen. Ready is a mindset. It is choosing to move forward instead of holding back; to see the opportunity where others see uncertainty; and to have the courage to act when the moment matters most; and because success comes to those who prepare for it, recognize it, and are ready to make it happen.

How many times can we say, 60 projects worth more than $100 billion? As many times as it takes for people to understand that this is historic and that we are open for business.

One would ask, how did we get here? Well I can give a little history to that question. In 1997 discussions began. On August 8th, 1997 Bill Boyd and Ken Krawetz announced the Saskatchewan Party. Bill Boyd, Ken Krawetz, Bob Bjornerud, Ben Heppner, June Draude, Dan D’Autremont, Rod Gantefoer, and Don Toth — they chose risk and gained reward. These are the visionaries, the ones that weren’t afraid to try something new to better Saskatchewan. What these individuals have provided Saskatchewan is much more than they will ever know. They have provided me and many more with hope; a party with guiding principles; a party with a moral compass; and a party with vision, with integrity, and results. Just look at Saskatchewan now.

There’s a lot of noise out there, Mr. Speaker, and there is a lot of negativity and there’s a lot of anger. If we stop, take a deep breath, and listen — really listen and look — you will see it’s all noise because Saskatchewan is the best place to live. And I am on the right side of history because I live in the most promising province in Canada.

I live and breathe positivity about our province. I see the success, I see the safety, and I see the freedom. Most importantly I see the people. I hear what people are passionate about. I hear what people want and what they need. I am proud to be a part of a strong, steady Saskatchewan. And one of the greatest things about Saskatchewan is that you don’t have to start big to become successful. All you have to be is willing to start. And that is the beauty of Saskatchewan.

We are the province where ordinary people can turn extraordinary dreams into realities. What matters is having the courage to take the first step. JAG auto glass in Martensville took that step, a dream to turn their expertise into reality and give back to their community. Jason and Carrie are known for how much they care and what they’re willing to do to make sure that they help in any way possible.

Lake Life charms was built on a 15‑year-old girl’s dream to make jewellery and give back to women by donating to breast cancer research or bringing special gifts of sparkle to women in shelters. Katarina Sopatyk made a difference. Now at 21, she sells in three stores province-wide and is involved with collaborations.

C’est Madeline in Regina brought dressing up in vintage clothes to reality for many more ladies by purchasing vintage wear from near and far and bringing it to the heart of Regina’s Warehouse District. I’d also like to add that I’m wearing one of her pieces right now, and she has absolutely amazing things there.

[15:15]

Prairie Girl The Label in Esterhazy was a thought from a mother to bring a clothing boutique closer to home for others to be able to access good-quality clothing without having to drive two hours to a larger city. She is now in her 11th year, with her fourth year in a storefront.

Now they became successful because someone believed in an idea, worked hard, took risks, learned from their mistakes, and refused to give it up. And Saskatchewan has the ingredients to make those dreams possible. We have the communities that support local businesses. We have hard-working people, agricultural and natural resource industries, growing markets, talented tradespeople and entrepreneurs who see opportunities where others might see obstacles.

We also have something incredibly valuable, and that is room to grow. Today’s small businesses could be tomorrow’s major Saskatchewan employer. We create an environment where people feel encouraged to take that chance, where regulations are reasonable, investment is welcomed, access to capital is available, and government understands that entrepreneurs need room to innovate and succeed.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan is full of people that create jobs and support families. Most importantly, Saskatchewan gives someone the confidence to follow their dreams. We shouldn’t tell someone that their dream is too small, too ambitious, or too difficult. We ask them what they need to make it happen. And that’s the message that I want everyone in Saskatchewan to hear.

After being involved in the Throne Speech, listening to all that we have to offer in this province, I can only think of positivity. I can again say that we are strong and steady and we are ready. We don’t have to leave Saskatchewan anymore to chase our dreams. You don’t have to start with everything; you just have to start with something. And that is hope over fear, confidence over discouragement. Because Saskatchewan is strong and steady and ready for more, Mr. Speaker.

With that, I conclude. I support the motion put forward by the member from White City-Qu’Appelle and seconded by the member of Last Mountain-Touchwood. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Athabasca.

Leroy Laliberte: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And it’s my honour to rise in debate of this year’s Throne Speech. First of all I just want to acknowledge that we are on Treaty 4 territory and the homeland of the Métis.

Mr. Speaker, first of all I just want to start by saying I hope that everybody had a good summer, took a little bit of time with your families. I know that it’s definitely a busy time of year during the summer months. And it was great that for us in the North, we had the opportunity to actually do some gathering. So there was a few gatherings with family camps and all of those great things that we didn’t have the chance to do last year because of the wildfires. So it was nice for us to be able to gather in that way.

Mr. Speaker, first of all, again this is the third time that I’ve been sitting through a Throne Speech. And I want to say thank you to my family. Because if I don’t thank them, then I know I’m going to hear it when I get home. So I want to say thank you to my wife for all of her support. To my three beautiful children, they also support their daddy with this work.

And so I want to acknowledge of course my family and friends from the North, from my home community of sîpîsisihk, Beauval. I want to say thank you. I want to say thank you to the good people of Athabasca. On the 28th of October was two years from the time that we got elected to be members of this Legislative Assembly. So I want to say thank you to the people of Athabasca in trusting me to take on this position, Mr. Speaker.

So I’m going to get to it, Mr. Speaker, to be able to rise again and debate this year’s Throne Speech. There’s a few things that could take me probably give or take about an hour to go through. No, I’m kidding. I’m kidding. So first of all again there’s a few things.

I just want to say that for the people of the North, they are feeling neglected like they have been for the past 20 years already, Mr. Speaker, with this government. They’re seeing right now with the homelessness, the housing crisis that we’re seeing throughout the North — not only throughout the North but all over Saskatchewan. The people of the North have been seeing the neglect from this government off and on now for 20 years. There was nothing that spoke to the supports of the people of northern Saskatchewan. It’s something that we’d seen right from the beginning of me being in this Assembly, Mr. Speaker.

The homelessness crisis, this is not just only affecting people with addiction. There was an individual who was in a house for over 30 years, Mr. Speaker, in the North, and ended up losing her home and now living in a tent. It’s November now, Mr. Speaker. And this is an elderly lady; she’s in her 70s. So these types of things that are happening with something that . . . We say that this is a rich province. This shouldn’t be happening today. I get phone calls to my office — a lot — with housing issues, Mr. Speaker.

Now people in northern Saskatchewan are seeing first-hand that billions of dollars of resources, of natural resource money, is coming out of their backyards, Mr. Speaker. We’ve seen first-hand in the far North that the communities that, you know, they’re constantly pulling 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, pulling all of this money out of the North, but there’s nothing going back into the community. North of La Loche, we’ve got some mine sites that are opening now. And we see that they’re going to be supplying 20 per cent of the world’s uranium. And the people of that community are being neglected today from this government, Mr. Speaker.

We have, you know, not only housing issues. One of the things that I’d said before and numerous times that I’ve said in this place is that our roads are terrible in the North. I’ve said that for English River, Patuanak. When we see that the roads are being washed away in three different parts of it, we start to put these culverts. Of course a lot of the roads in northern Saskatchewan right now have had a 20‑year lifespan, like I’ve said before, and this started in the ’70s.

For three weeks, going on a month today, a highway into Dillon and to St. George’s Hill and to Michel Village, terrible, Mr. Speaker. We had actually had an ambulance have to turn away, turn around in the time of emergency to get these individuals out of the community, get them into a hospital. They had to turn around because the road was terrible. And this is the kind of stuff that we’re seeing today, Mr. Speaker, the neglect to the people in northern Saskatchewan.

We have to be able to put ourselves in the shoes of those families that are struggling that way, Mr. Speaker, because we already have to travel to the South to receive services that we aren’t getting in northern Saskatchewan. And so I’ve had numerous calls, and I know numerous calls were made to the ministry to fix that road. Because people should be able to get in and out of the communities when they need to, especially in the time of an emergency, Mr. Speaker.

The gatherings that I had the chance to attend this summer, one was the commemoration of the 150th year of the Treaty 6 signing. I got to visit up in Beardy’s and Okemasis, Duck Lake, into Fort Carlton, which was an amazing gathering of people. There was people there from all over the province to see and witness history, Mr. Speaker. I did that. I visited with a lot of folks there and then out at Fort Pitt up by Onion Lake.

Chiefs had gathered from all over the province and across Treaty 6 territory to ensure that the treaty inherited rights are being (1) respected, and to ensure that families were being heard — and their communities that they have to represent, their First Nation communities — ensure that those treaty-inherited rights are respected moving forward.

Mr. Speaker, it was great to see so many people from all over Treaty 6 and of course other treaties throughout the province and country. Île-à-la-Crosse we had a beautiful gathering; sâkitawâk, Île-à-la-Crosse, 250 years since the community originated.

It was nice to have, and I want to say thank you to my friends and my colleagues here that made way up to beautiful Île-à-la-Crosse. I know it was a rainy first day when we were there, but we got the time to see the re-enactment of the way the treaty was signed there. And we had people on these boats coming through the waves and through the rain and paddling through them, and it was an amazing gathering.

We had people join us from all over the province, all over the country actually, Mr. Speaker. Actually Louis Riel’s sister was buried in Île-à-la-Crosse. There’s a whole bunch of history there in Île-à-la-Crosse. The good people of Île-à-la-Crosse did an amazing job with the organizing and putting this all together.

Of course the Tony Cote Summer Games were held in North Battleford, and that was awesome because I got to see my middle child there golfing and did a phenomenal job. She ended up getting gold this summer, so that was great. Well, Team Woodland, you know what, we’ll have a conversation later.

But no, the teams did an excellent job. It was nice to see people from different areas come together, the Tony Cote Summer Games, and the winter games are also always an amazing time. You get to visit with so many and cheer on these kids because these kids are phenomenal athletes on every front, Mr. Speaker.

So now I want to say that the Throne Speech again didn’t speak to the cost of living. The cost of living. If we think that the gas prices are bad here, you need to see what the gas prices look like in northern Saskatchewan. People can’t afford to live, Mr. Speaker. The power, they pay double if not triple what we would pay just in central Saskatchewan. Now if you’re paying 1,200 to 1,400, and I’ve even seen well over $2,000 in power cost for one household, how are they supposed to be able to get groceries for their families and their kids?

It’s something that we’re not . . . It just makes no sense to me that they have to. And they’ve been seeing this for a long time, Mr. Speaker. I was hoping that they would have said something regarding, you know, giving supports to the people of northern Saskatchewan on that front, but we haven’t seen anything in that sense.

Now this one here, when we talk about health care, health care is a joke in the province. This is crazy that we’re seeing this in 2026, Mr. Speaker, where people are dying of a broken ankle. We see elderly being treated in the hallways at the Royal University in Saskatoon, laying on a sheet. We’ve seen people passing away in Meadow Lake for example, friends of mine being sent home and then ended up dying at home, Mr. Speaker. We’ve had a young mom having twins, lost her life, lost a baby, and then one ended up in emergency in Saskatoon, Mr. Speaker.

The health care in the North for the good people of La Loche, that’s one of the biggest communities in the North, 3 to 5,000 people in the area. They’ve got a hospital in Île-à-la-Crosse. You go and sometimes there’s a little sticker on the door: emergency room is closed; go to the nearest hospital. The nearest hospital is 167 kilometres away, Mr. Speaker. So what happens when you’re having a heart attack? On one of the worst roads in Saskatchewan that you need to go down to Île-à-la-Crosse from La Loche. How is that supposed to work for anybody here?

[15:30]

I hope to God that it’s not one of us that are up there when we have to face a challenge like that, Mr. Speaker, because that’s something that happens daily for people in northern Saskatchewan.

The wildfires. Now I introduced the wildfire strategies Act here, Mr. Speaker, because there was fire. We had the worst fire season, 2025, that I’ve ever seen in my life, and I know that for a lot of people that have fought fires for 30, 40 years. The reason why I introduced the Act was so we could actually get people that knew what they were doing to have a say in the way that they fought fires in this province.

And then this government voted it down, Mr. Speaker. But then this summer, which I found was really weird, was they met with the tribal councils and signed an MOU with the same thing that I’d had inside the Act anyways. You can sign an MOU, a million of them, with no money to back it, Mr. Speaker. It makes no sense to me.

You sign an MOU for this, for that, but then we’ve been introducing solutions here from the beginning. From the time that I started here two years ago, I’ve seen that this team introduced a bunch of solutions. Because we’re solution-based, Mr. Speaker. It’s something that we’ve said numerous times.

Mental health and addictions, something that we’re seeing throughout the whole province of Saskatchewan, right across Canada. You know, we talk about a steady, ready Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker. I’m seeing a strong and steady neglected Saskatchewan. I don’t know if you guys are seeing that. That’s what I’m seeing today. There’s people that are being neglected. They’re living in tents, and not every single one of those people in there again, like I said, were addicted. It’s because of things that had happened that . . . And if people would have — from this government — went and actually had a conversation with a few of them, they would understand where they were coming from with that.

I have stood with front-line workers, Mr. Speaker, calling on the government to give them the supports that they need to tackle this in this province. It is so bad right now that we have our front-line workers overworked and tired and seeking mental health supports themselves today. I’ve stood with mental health and addictions support workers saying that they don’t feel that they’re being supported by this government. And I’ll have to agree on that.

You can’t tackle a problem like this without having — and I’ll talk by experience — without having a prevention or intervention plan and without having an aftercare model. It’ll never work. And I’m speaking by experience because I’ve collaborated and worked with different people in this field for over 25 years.

Six to eight to ten weeks to get into a treatment centre, Mr. Speaker. For those that work in the field, and this is something again with the conversations that I’ve had with numerous people that work in that field, waiting that long is just not going to . . . It’s not going to work. Forcing people into a treatment program, getting them in there, and then no aftercare model, send them back into the public right back where they started. It’ll never work. The government has to have a better plan in place. And I’d recommend that the government work with these individuals that are on the front lines every day.

And of course something that we know for a fact, that the province is broke — broke, tired, out-of-touch. That’s the way that we see it, Mr. Speaker.

We have seen first-hand the neglect that not only people in northern Saskatchewan are seeing, but people are seeing it throughout the province. If we were strong and steady Saskatchewan, we wouldn’t have front-line health care workers standing at the front of the legislature in protest of getting, you know, getting the money that they deserve to do the work that they’re definitely destined to do. Mr. Speaker, we wouldn’t have them out there. We have people coming in here every day talking about the lack of supports that they’re receiving from this government. We stood with those front-line workers, and we heard first-hand what they’re battling with. They want better health care for their patients, better supports for the workers.

Now this is one that I wanted to speak on, is the duty-to-consult. We have a responsibility to consult with all parties when you’re doing something in their area. For example, for today we asked a question of the consultation process that was done with both Carry the Kettle and Standing Buffalo. And the reason why I asked that question, Mr. Speaker, is because consultation, when consultation is done, it’s to be done with all people that are going to be affected by it. That’s a proper consultation process. And it’s respectful to do the right thing to meet with these Nations.

We have 74 First Nations in this province, and I’ve said that numerous times, Mr. Speaker — 74 First Nations that want to be a part of growth. It’s not 74 First Nations that are complaining about being on their land. They want to be a part of this growth that the government keeps talking about.

But a consultation process needs to be done properly, Mr. Speaker. It’s not done . . . We don’t do stuff mâmâsîs, we would say. We like to do things right. They want to be part of a process of growth. They want the best for their communities as well, because all of these chiefs that are standing up and speaking to this have responsibility to the members that they represent as well.

Our people have always been protectors of the land. And through that consultation would give them the chance to be able to ask questions — if it was going to be, you know, harmful; would it impact their communities; would it impact the land that they hunt on; different things like that. So that’s the type of consultation that should be done.

Now with the health care process, Mr. Speaker, in Beauval, my home community — beautiful community, good people — we were told from the first sitting that I sat in here that there was going to be an ambulance bay and new clinic put in the community. And I remember that the minister bragged about that. And then I get home and was told that that was taken away because they made another decision and said that they don’t need that.

So this is something that’s pretty upsetting, Mr. Speaker. We’re already neglected in the North. We have nothing when it comes to that. And how are we supposed to tackle something like that? It’s a central hub. It would have been a perfect location for us to be able to accommodate our people in the area.

So based on the decisions that this government makes, a lot of people are impacted, especially the people in northern Saskatchewan. And this is something me and my brother from Cumberland see every day.

Like I said, “strong, steady, neglected Saskatchewan.” Mr. Speaker, we asked a few questions already. Well we’ve been here for a week and we’ve seen the government fly through the questions, and I’m sure that we’re going to continue to see that. And these are questions that are valid with valid concerns that come from Saskatchewan residents, Mr. Speaker.

I’ll say this to the government: fix the roads. Fix the roads in the North so we could accommodate our people. An ambulance shouldn’t have to turn around when they’re hauling somebody in an emergency. And I know you could have that grin on your face and think that this is not important, but I’m telling you there’s families over there that are feeling neglect right now. And they matter just like anybody else in this province.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I will not be supporting this Throne Speech, Mr. Speaker. People are feeling neglected in the riding that I represent. They’ve been neglected from the time I’ve been here. They’ve been neglected for the past almost 20 years of this government. But I will support the amendment made by my colleague and friend from Saskatoon Fairview and seconded by the member from Regina Walsh Acres. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t even get that kind of applause when I go home for the weekend, Mr. Speaker. I feel really privileged to be able to be on my feet today to provide some remarks in relation to the Throne Speech that was delivered by Her Honour in this Assembly last week. And the work we’re doing as a government not only impacts the people that I represent in the Warman constituency, but indeed for every resident right across this great province.

But before I get going on that, I just do want to recognize a few people who help me serve the citizens of this province day in and day out. First I’d like to recognize my wife, Angela. Mr. Speaker, we’ve been married for almost 21 years. In fact, it’ll be 21 years on November 12th.

[Applause]

Hon. Terry Jenson: — That’s right. And there is a reason why she does need the occasional glass of wine and some quiet time for 20 minutes every weekend when I come home, Mr. Speaker. But in all seriousness, she’s everything that I could ever ask for or want. And we’re at the stage of life where . . . We have our two kids. We have one, our son Asher, who is making a slow but very, you know, direct exit into adulthood. And we’re helping him every day to accomplish that goal. And our daughter Kolbie is half way up the ramp to graduation, Mr. Speaker. She’s in grade 7 at Warman Community Middle School, and doing very, very well.

And like I said, Ang and I are so proud of our children, Mr. Speaker. And we know that they’re going to be part of some big things in this province during the course of their respective lives. They are truly inspirational people, Mr. Speaker. They’re kind. And above all, just like the people of Saskatchewan, they’re caring.

Another person I just want to quickly give a shout-out to is my constituency assistant Whitney Friesen. I introduced him here many times, Mr. Speaker. I’ve spoken about what a great guy he is and how I haven’t driven him completely insane yet. But I’m sure there are days when it’s closer than others that I do that, Mr. Speaker. Whitney has served the people of the province in this role for I think it’s about 33 years now, the longest serving constituency assistant in Saskatchewan. I’m the fourth MLA that’s worked for him. And I say that only because he has an incredible talent for keeping me on track. So again thank you, Whitney. Your friendship is valued and your contributions to this province are extremely, extremely appreciated.

Like I said, Mr. Speaker, I’ve listened to replies from both sides of the House, and talk about a contrast. You know, the sun is shining on this side of the House every day, full of optimism, full of pride in what we’re doing as a province. Mr. Speaker, over there, completely different story.

And I’ll get into that in a few minutes if I have time, but there is so many things positive to talk about. If the member wants to get to his feet and criticize what he’s doing . . . Anyway like I said, over there it’s a different story, Mr. Speaker. Anyone who knows me knows that I have worked and I thrive on positives . . . [inaudible interjection] . . . This again is why nobody can take this opposition seriously, Mr. Speaker. They’re heckling from their seats because obviously they have nothing constructive to do, Mr. Speaker.

So anyone that knows me knows how hard I work. I thrive on the positives, and I work very hard to improve things for people in this province each and every day. That’s what makes Saskatchewan strong and steady, Mr. Speaker. As an MLA I gave my oath to the people of this province, and I work without reservation. And I’ll continue to do so because it’s something that I cherish, and I don’t take it for granted for one waking minute.

With regards to my work as a minister, there are several different areas that I’m most proud of. But first some credit where credit is due. I want to really express my thanks to my staff upstairs in my ministry office as well as the officials within the Ministry of Social Services, who work so diligently each and every day on behalf of the people of Saskatchewan. They are all truly professionals, and it’s an absolute privilege to be able to work with them each and every day.

[15:45]

We’ve made an impact on so many lives within the four divisions that make up this ministry, Mr. Speaker. One of the most memorable was the opening of two homes, specially designed to help youth aging out of care as well as those from the broader community who would otherwise be at risk of homelessness, Mr. Speaker.

In February the ministry, in partnership with YWCA Regina, opened a 12‑space supported, semi-independent-living home. And in May we announced, along with Egadz in Saskatoon, the creation of Fusion Plus, a 40‑space supported housing facility, Mr. Speaker.

Both of these projects aim to provide youth with additional wraparound supports for learning life skills, assistance with education, career guidance, and job training, as well as health and wellness. Mr. Speaker, we often focus on what we are doing in the homelessness space. I’m proud to work with our ministry and having them help identify and address this issue at the front end to do everything possible to ensure that we are preventing homelessness in the first place.

There is also a lot of credit — and I would say most of the credit actually — that needs to go to the youth advisory teams here in Regina as well as Saskatoon. It was their vision, Mr. Speaker, through lived experience that identified the gap. And we were able to collaborate with the teams and work up a sustainable solution to filling that gap.

Mr. Speaker, the youth advisory teams are integral to our ministry’s work. They’re made up of young people from Regina, from Saskatoon, and from Prince Albert. And our ministry and others — including the ministries of Health and Justice, among others — we meet and we listen to these young people from the youth advisory team on their ideas for what we as a government can be doing better to help vulnerable youth coming out of care.

Mr. Speaker, it was a very busy summer. Spent some time at Creighton opening the new group home in that community. Spent some time in Buffalo Narrows earlier this fall making a housing announcement there for some affordable housing. Also spent a couple of days in Pinehouse doing the same thing, announcing more housing in the North, Mr. Speaker. So we are working in the North to improve the lives of those who are looking for such things as housing, Mr. Speaker.

I also had the opportunity to spend some time with Métis Nation of Saskatchewan at Camp 67. Now Camp 67 is located — you guessed it — 67 kilometres north of Pinehouse. It’s a cultural camp, Mr. Speaker. They do traditional storytelling. They do sweats. They do community hunts and then feed everybody that’s at that camp. It’s made up of Métis Nation residents as well as northern residents at large.

But the one really neat thing, Mr. Speaker, among all the canvas tents, the occasional small camper in the bush, was the presence of industry. There were individuals from Denison mines, individuals from Cameco that were taking part in the culture camp along with the northern residents. And, Mr. Speaker, that was absolutely intriguing knowing that northern industry is taking part and learning cultures, learning the history of the land at Camp 67.

So to Mike Natomagan, the mayor of Pinehouse, I say thank you for the opportunity to go up there with him and his wife, to go spend a few hours and listen and learn from the people that were up there.

I also got to spend some time, Mr. Speaker, in Île-à-la-Crosse for that community’s 250th anniversary earlier this summer. It was a great celebration. People there are absolutely, you know, full of pride with their community, the history, Mr. Speaker. It was absolutely an incredible trip to be on, and it’s one that I will remember for a long, long time.

Mr. Speaker, the theme of the Throne Speech is “Strong. Steady. Saskatchewan.” Are there turbulent times around the world? There most certainly are. There hasn’t been a time in recent history when the biggest assets one can possess is the ability to remain calm, collected, and set aside the emotional knee-jerk reactions that we’ve seen so many times, especially from this opposition.

In spite of all the uncertainty we’ve seen, Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan continues to be a top performer in our nation, and that’s not going to be changing any time soon. Investors are choosing to invest in Saskatchewan because this province is strong and steady. And we’ve created the environment for that investment to land in this province, Mr. Speaker.

Let’s look at the key economic metrics, Mr. Speaker. We’re at or near the top for the last number of years for the lowest unemployment rates. We have one of the best private sector job creation records in Canada across all sectors and across all parts of the province, not just in our major cities. Considering one of the best debt-to-GDP [gross domestic product] ratios in the country, Mr. Speaker. We have the most private sector capital landing in this province out of all provinces, and there is no sign of that letting up, Mr. Speaker.

And what does a strong, steady economy produce? Well expansion of training seats across many sectors, including health care and the trades, at all of our post-secondary institutions, including the U of S [University of Saskatchewan], the U of R [University of Regina], Sask Polytech, and our regional colleges, Mr. Speaker.

We have additional investments into health care and in the patients-first health care plan that include 50 action items to greatly improve patient access and to produce better outcomes, Mr. Speaker. We’re doing expansion of scope for medical professionals across the health system. We’re hiring more nurse practitioners, Mr. Speaker. The opening of 80 acute care beds across three Saskatoon hospitals in the past year that will benefit residents of not only my constituency, but as well as residents from dozens others.

We have an urgent care centre that’s going to be opening in the near future in Saskatoon to add on to the one that’s currently operating in Regina, with plans to add others in Prince Albert, North Battleford, as well as Moose Jaw. We have another 49 beds yet to come in early 2027 at City Hospital, an additional 150 permanent full-time and part-time positions created at RUH and St. Paul’s, with hundreds more being created and filled at Saskatoon City Hospital due to the expansions.

Mr. Speaker, there is so much more in the patients-first health care plan that I really could use up the rest of my time. But I do want to touch on some things that are happening in my constituency, so I’m just going to be moving on here.

Mr. Speaker, there’s never been a better time to live in this province regardless of age or background. Our province remains the most affordable place in the country in which to live. And this is due in large part to our government’s commitment to include over two and a half billion dollars in affordability initiatives in each and every budget. And it was our affordability plan that voters chose over the NDP’s plan in the last election in which . . . And the member from Mount Royal, he’s at his chair. He’s talking, he’s doing what he does. But at the end of the day, they mixed up their revenues and expenses, Mr. Speaker, in their campaign.

Mr. Speaker, at the risk of sounding like a broken record again, my home community of Warman, my home community of Warman, Mr. Speaker, has been the province’s fastest growing city and one of the fastest growing regions in the entire nation over the last 20 years. And the new numbers are in to back that up. According to a report in early February of this year, the pace of construction in Warman in 2025 climbed to levels not seen in the last decade. The total value of all construction last year, Mr. Speaker, clocked in at $87.6 million. That’s in permits. A total of 138 single-family home permits, 54 multi-family dwelling permits have been issued in the city of Warman in the past year.

The total value of construction in the 15 years, from 2010 to 2025, Mr. Speaker, over $965 million. Almost a billion dollars in one city of 14,500 people. It’s safe to say that with this year’s permits, we’ll easily be topping $1 billion in construction activity since 2010. The growth in Warman, and throughout my constituency in communities like Hague, Neuanlage, and Hepburn, is a testament in the confidence people have for our province’s future.

Mr. Speaker, I was at a number of events over the summer and fall in my constituency. We have summer fairs, Canada Day celebrations, seniors’ nights, fundraising dinners for different community groups. And the message I heard was the same at event after event after event: your government is doing a great job; keep up the good work. But what we do as elected representatives isn’t always confined to inside this building, Mr. Speaker. It’s gratifying to meet with constituents who thank me for taking the time to listen to them. We might not always agree on something, but just knowing I’m able to make a difference in someone’s life is the part of this job that I find most fulfilling.

Speaking of lives, Mr. Speaker, I do want to recognize someone who added to my life over the last few years. That person is Richard Porter, affectionately known by anyone who knew him as Porky. Mr. Speaker, I first got to know Porky in 2019, and we quickly became friends. He was so proud of this party. He was so proud of the people in this party, and he was so proud of this province. The conversations we had over coffee were fiery and passionate, but that’s what made Porky who he was. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Porky in early July. And to Ann and all the family and to all who knew him, we lost one of the good ones. His humour, his straightforward approach, and the way he said things, along with his big heart, is missed by us all, and he will be remembered.

As I was saying earlier, Mr. Speaker, Warman is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, and the fastest growing city in Saskatchewan. In January The Globe and Mail also declared Warman to be Canada’s safest city, with an 80 per cent lower crime rate than the national average. Modern urban amenities mixed with a safe, small-town environment makes Warman the perfect place to live, work, and raise a family, Mr. Speaker.

You know, the city of Warman is made up primarily of families with a sprinkling of single individuals as well as seniors. Fifty-five per cent of the households in Warman have children living at home, Mr. Speaker, over half. And among the families with children living at home, 46 per cent of them, just about half of them, those children are aged zero to nine. So, Mr. Speaker, it’s quite understandable we have a very, very young community.

Top five languages most spoken at home, and this speaks to the diversity of our community: English, Punjabi, Tagalog, Mandarin and, of course, German. One stat that I found extremely interesting, when the city of Warman put out their demographic report for the year, the statement “strong sense of belonging to local community.” Eighty-one per cent response rate said, yes, they feel a strong sense of belonging to their local community.

You know, Mr. Speaker, I just mentioned how many kids are living at home and how many of those kids are aged zero to nine. I couldn’t be more proud to be standing here today saying to the residents at home, there will be a new joint-use high school coming because it’s going to be desperately needed in the next five to six years. With those kids growing up, and the member from Martensville behind me, Martensville-Blairmore, she knows as well that that community is young and growing.

When I look at the education investments that we have, you know, besides the joint-use high school that is in the planning stages for my constituency as well as the Martensville-Blairmore constituency, we look at the Warman Community Middle School, Traditions Elementary School, Holy Trinity Catholic School. This is a government that’s investing in the growth in Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker. The young people are our future, and that’s where that investment is going.

And, Mr. Speaker, all these investments are only possible thanks to an economy that is performing very well and is leading the nation in almost every key metric. We have 60 projects representing over $100 billion in private investment. We’ve created that investment climate for certainty for investors. The world may be uncertain, Mr. Speaker, but Saskatchewan isn’t.

We have exports to 160 countries around the world. Those exports grew to nearly $50 billion a year under our government, compared to just 16.1 billion under the last year of the NDP government.

We have new uranium mines, a new copper mine, helium, lithium, the world’s largest potash mine getting closer to operations near Jansen. Canola crush plants have opened or expanded. And then there’s the confidence in Saskatchewan’s economy by Bell Canada, Mr. Speaker, its new $12 billion data centre being built right near Regina with a planned expansion worth over $50 billion in the planning stages. My gosh, Mr. Speaker, one doesn’t have to look very far to see the thousands of jobs and careers that are being created right here in Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, this is good news for our people. It’s good news for our families. It’s good news for our children and the generations after them that will benefit from all this economic activity. Better health care. Better education. Better social safety nets. Better community safety. Better highways and roads. And overall, Mr. Speaker, a better quality of life for everyone.

[16:00]

Mr. Speaker, it’s obvious where we are today in this very moment. There is no better place to be in Canada than right here in Saskatchewan, and there’s no better time to be in Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker.

So with that, Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting the motion made by my good friend and colleague from White City-Qu’Appelle and seconded by the member from Last Mountain-Touchwood. And I will not be supporting the amendment made by the opposition. God bless Saskatchewan. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Keith Jorgenson: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to start by explaining the bar stool. I promise I’m not drinking beer right now. And I want to thank your office, Mr. Speaker, for providing me with the bar stool, because I think all the members on the opposition side know I have muscular dystrophy and been slowly kind of losing the battle with gravity the last year. And so it’s quite painful to stand for a long period of time, so hence the use of the bar stool for longer addresses.

So before I started my prepared remarks, I wanted to respond to something that the Minister for Social Services just said. He said on his side of the legislature it’s all sunshine, and something else over here. You know, and the word that I think he was searching for, everyone, was “reality.” Reality.

This is the same minister, the same minister who told us last week that his plan to pay people on SAID [Saskatchewan assured income for disability] and SIS [Saskatchewan income support] directly for their rent was working . . . or sorry, pay rent directly to them instead of landlords was working. Has he driven through Saskatoon recently? Has he? He is literally the only person in this province that thinks that that plan is working. So maybe that’s sunshine. I call it reality, what we talk about each and every day here, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I will not be voting for the Throne Speech. And to try and explain why, I want to tell you a story of someone I ran into on 20th Street recently. I was walking down 20th Street and I heard someone call out my name, Mr. Speaker. They said, “Keith.” And at first I didn’t recognize the woman. She came up to me and she hugged me. And she said, “I’m Nolan and Cody’s mom.” And as she hugged me she said, “I lost both of my boys, Keith.”

And she started crying and hugged me tightly. And as she hugged me I could feel the weight of her loss, Mr. Speaker. And then she said something to me that I really didn’t expect, and honestly has stuck with me ever since, Mr. Speaker. She thanked me for believing in her boys.

Mr. Speaker, I wish to God that me as an individual believing in her boys was enough, but it wasn’t. She needed this government to believe in her boys, believe that they were important enough to help, important enough to save, that they could contribute to their community one day. But their government did not, and they’re dead now, Mr. Speaker.

I have big problems with this Throne Speech, and I have big problems with this government’s direction. When I read through the Throne Speech, Mr. Speaker, it honestly reads like a prospectus to a mutual fund. It talks about dozens of buildings being built. It mentions vocations in passing like nurses, doctors, teachers, ag producers. And it mentions a couple of legislative changes.

But only at one point does it mention an actual person — Henry Losco. You know, it’s so weird, Mr. Speaker, that I need to explain this to the members opposite, but buildings don’t teach people. They don’t heal people. They don’t have dreams. They don’t have struggles. They don’t mourn. People do.

You know, the Throne Speech mentions in passing, in a passive sense, nameless groups of people. But at no point does it actually mention the dreams of the people of Saskatchewan, the struggles that they’re going through. It doesn’t acknowledge the enormous difficulties that the people of Saskatchewan face each and every single day here in Saskatchewan. It doesn’t talk about any of those things, right. It doesn’t acknowledge the struggle that people face to have their kids educated, seek health care, feel safe again in their communities. In short, it doesn’t reflect reality, Mr. Speaker.

And I want to go through a couple things that I think are missing from the Throne Speech. First of all, nowhere in the Throne Speech does it mention the fact that there’s tens of thousands of front-line health care workers that have gone four years without a raise. No mention of that. No mention of a plan to improve their working conditions, no plan to help retain front-line health care workers, nothing about any of those things. There’s also no mention of a specific plan to build a hospital in Yorkton. Nothing.

And there’s also no mention of affordability when it comes to people that don’t pay taxes. The Minister of Finance gets up all the time and says, oh, we’re cutting this tax; we’re cutting that tax. But if you don’t pay tax, the people that don’t pay tax still struggle, Mr. Speaker. Is there nothing to help make life more affordable for them?

You know, one thing that the Throne Speech does talk about is the Marshals Service. And I have some questions about whether or not we’re getting good value for our money with the Marshals Service. So strangely, the Throne Speech mentions that they, the Marshals Service, conducted 287 apprehensions and arrests. So based upon publicly available data, each one of those apprehensions and arrests cost the taxpayers of Saskatchewan $69,686.41. That’s almost $70,000 for every arrest and apprehension. I can see some puzzled looks, but if you take the total budget of the Marshals Service, which I believe is $20 million, and you divide by 287, you get $70,000.

Now if you go based upon the number of sworn officers, that means that the Marshals Service is apprehending somebody, each marshal is apprehending someone every six or seven weeks. Six or seven weeks. So let’s compare that to the Prince Albert police. Their budget is only 5 per cent higher than the Marshals Service, yet they respond to 70 times more calls. Each arrest performed by the P.A. [Prince Albert] police cost the taxpayers of P.A. about $1,000. About $1,000. So $1,000 versus $69,000. Mr. Speaker, we need to invest in front-line policing, but is this the most cost-effective way of doing that?

You know, governments across the country are cutting gas and diesel taxes temporarily, and this Throne Speech ignores the tremendous cost of energy. This is hurting farmers. It’s hurting consumers, transportation companies, manufacturers. This government is putting us at a competitive disadvantage by keeping these taxes in place when our neighbours have cut them.

Now I want to talk about also the outward migration of young people from our province. You know, the three highest periods in Saskatchewan history of outward migration of youth have occurred under this government, Mr. Speaker. And there’s no mention in the Throne Speech about the dreams, about the problems facing young people, and about how to keep them here.

So I already briefly talked about direct payments to people on SIS and SAID for their rent. You know, we hear all the time CBOs [community-based organization], landlords, and even the business community in Saskatoon talk about what a disastrous policy this is, Mr. Speaker. You know, it does not take long. You don’t have to spend long in any one of our cities to see that this is not working.

You know, I try and be a polite person in this Chamber, but, Mr. Speaker, I think this is the single silliest policy that the Government of Saskatchewan in recent years has ever instituted. It’s costing the provincial taxpayers as well as municipal taxpayers tens of millions of dollars every single year in terms of additional treatment costs, shelter costs, and it’s depressing business growth.

So there’s also no mention of rural health care directly. Still people in rural Saskatchewan struggle to find out what services are available to them, when they’re available, and what services there are. Is their hospital open? Does it have X-ray; does it not? This is causing pain and suffering for people, but it’s also putting people’s lives at risk.

There’s also no plan to provide people in rural Saskatchewan with access to acute care. You know, as soon as doctors are removed from communities the hospital loses the ability to keep people overnight, which means we have hundreds of acute care beds in rural Saskatchewan that have zero occupancy. There’s no one in them.

There’s also nothing in the Throne Speech to talk about the tremendous struggle that paramedics and first responders are going through, Mr. Speaker. Since the latest version of the patient-first health care plan was introduced, ambulance services have deteriorated even further. So I want to provide two examples to everyone.

First of all, there’s a community on the Trans-Canada Highway that had no ambulance service for 30 days this summer. So for 30 days, this community had no ambulance service at all. There’s also a rural hospital that has no ambulance base, north of Saskatoon. And so when that hospital dials 911, it takes 45 minutes for an ambulance to show up at a hospital. That’s insane, Mr. Speaker. I would like everyone to imagine that you dial 911, and somebody that you love is critically ill, and you wait 45 minutes or longer for an ambulance to arrive.

There’s also no plan in the Throne Speech to address the deteriorating conditions in our urban ERs [emergency room]. Since the Minister of Health reintroduced yet another version of a patients-first health care plan, we’ve seen things deteriorate in the urban ERs even more. Just in the last couple weeks in Saskatchewan we had a 94‑year-old patient with dementia treated in a hallway. She was there for days at a time, confused and alone. And we had a 90‑year-old sleeping on the floor, sleeping on the floor of the waiting room at RUH. And then of course there was the Hankes who were here last week who tragically lost their daughter to a broken ankle.

So I want to come back to how I started this, talking about the young men named Nolan and Cody. There’s nothing in this Throne Speech that indicates a path forward in terms of trying to get out of the mental health and addictions crisis. You know, when this government took over it was approximately 50 people in Saskatoon that were living on the street, and now there’s over 2,000.

You know, in the last 14 months I’ve been in Ukraine twice. And Ukraine is a poor country, at war. I visited seven major cities there, and I’ve never seen someone sleeping on the streets in Ukraine.

This is a solvable problem. This is a matter of public will and political will to fix this. This shouldn’t be a political issue.

Mr. Speaker, one of the things that I’m continually frustrated with with this government is their inability to see that things are connected to one another. You know, ignoring social problems in one place might save a few dollars, but it costs you infinitely more down the road. And I want to provide just two examples of that.

First of all, I’ve talked to numerous nurses who’ve talked about how traumatized they are treating young people who’ve had their hands and feet frozen off. I don’t know, Mr. Speaker, how much a pair of hands or a pair of feet are worth. But I know that it is cheaper to provide a 20‑year-old with a place to live than it is to have them live 60 years with no hands and feet. Tragedy is a stain on our hearts, Mr. Speaker, and is also a waste of money.

Mr. Speaker, this social disorder, this homeless crisis is also now impeding business growth in our cities. Business leaders in Saskatoon have tried to explain it to me this way. They describe our downtowns as being like our front door. The first thing that people, when they come to Saskatchewan, they see, is our downtown. And so when they come downtown and they see hundreds of people living on the streets, tons and tons of closed storefronts and businesses that are open during the day but have their doors locked, that sends the wrong message, Mr. Speaker. They talk about the difficulty in selling Saskatoon to people that want to invest in it, and that’s the first thing they see, Mr. Speaker.

Again, Mr. Speaker, tragedy is not free. Mr. Speaker, I think that we’re better than this. I think better is possible. And to try and explain why I think that, I want to talk about my grandmother’s garden for a second. I was raised by my grandma. And often when I think of her, I think of her garden, Mr. Speaker.

You know, gardeners pull weeds. They move rocks. They fertilize. They turn the impossible into the edible. I think that good governments are like good gardeners. They do not leave the happiness and success of their people to chance. How a society treats its citizens is an expression of the planning and love of its government.

And I want to share a brief personal story to illustrate this, Mr. Speaker, about my grandmother Frances, me, my brothers, and my mother. I was raised half by my mother and half by my father. As some of you will know, when my mother was pregnant with me, she was quite sick with cancer and she died shortly after I was born. My father was left with a newborn, a two-year-old, a three-year-old, and was unable to care for us and work.

[16:15]

Statistically for me and my brothers, we were born into a situation that normally would have meant hardship and poverty and markedly altered prospects in life. Statistically for me, the most consequential events and choices in my life occurred outside of my control. And I share this experience with hundreds of babies born every year in Saskatchewan who are born into poverty and hardship. And I think it’s important to state, Mr. Speaker, that they do not choose these things.

Luckily for me this hardship was tempered with an incredible act of selflessness — my grandmother’s decision to drop everything and raise me and my brothers. You know, Mr. Speaker, my grandmother was a good gardener. I mean, she was a good gardener in the sense that she had a nice garden and it fed us. But she was also a good gardener of young men. She gave each of me and my brothers a chance to grow and succeed.

For me and my brothers, everything changed because my grandmother chose to level the odds. She was always there. She worked as a maid so I would have clothes and food, and she was there to feed us lunch and supper. And, Mr. Speaker, I never stood outside the shadow of her love.

Mr. Speaker, statistically if it weren’t for my grandmother, likely none of my brothers would have graduated from university. Half of us probably wouldn’t have graduated high school. Likely one of us would have been arrested and likely one of us would have spent part of our life homeless.

So I want to read an allegory from the Bible and I think that this . . . I have a slightly different interpretation of this allegory than probably is classically used. But a farmer went out to sow his seeds, and as he scattered the seeds some fell along the path and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell in rocky places where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was shallow, and when the sun came up the plants were scorched and they withered because they had no root. And other seeds fell among the thorns which grew up and choked the plants.

Mr. Speaker, I believe that my mission as an MLA and the mission of every good government is to be like a good gardener. You know, a government can’t change what seeds sprout where. Lives can start in the most unimaginable places and the most unimaginable ways, Mr. Speaker. We were all born in the shadow of our families’ past, good or bad.

But we can be like good gardeners. We can level the ground; we can equalize the effects of historical injustices; we can remove rocks and weeds; we can helps those with addictions and mental health heal and reach their full potential; we can water and fertilize; we can make sure that every single child has what they need to learn and succeed. And with support and harsh ground and the deep shade of a family tree, life can grow and prosper, Mr. Speaker.

People deserve a government that believes in them, Mr. Speaker. You know, I believe that we need to build hospitals and schools, but we also need to build the people that go into those buildings. People deserve a government that believes that it is better and cheaper to have people live in houses and not on the street, Mr. Speaker. People deserve a government of good gardeners, so to speak.

You know, this Throne Speech has absolutely nothing in it that will improve the life of people in Saskatchewan. And so for that reason I will be voting against it, and I will be voting with the amendment moved by my colleague from Saskatoon Fairview. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the member from Cannington.

Daryl Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s my honour today to be on my feet and provide my reply to the Speech from the Throne, representing the constituents of Cannington. I want to thank the people of Cannington that have placed their trust and confidence in me. Thank you.

I want to especially thank my family for their love and support. First, my wife, Cheryl, for her unending and unconditional love and support as well. Thank you and I love you. The saying goes, Mr. Speaker, a couple that works cattle together stays together. And I think that we’ll be together a good long time.

To our kids and their spouses, thanks for being you — growing up so fast and establishing yourselves in exciting new careers while raising kids and getting them to all their activities even though it can get hectic and chaotic at times. Enjoy this time with your kids because if goes all too fast.

Mr. Speaker, I’m so proud of our children. One works in oil and gas, another in agriculture, a third still in post-secondary education taking civil engineering; while the remaining three have chosen health care — one a pharmacist, one a registered nurse, and one a registered psychiatric nurse. They have all chosen very rewarding careers in their own right, but the ones in health care have the passion to help people and provide patients with absolutely the best care possible.

Cheryl and I have always been supportive of their chosen careers and encourage them to work hard and to be their best, unlike the NDP opposition who openly talk about telling young people to not go into a career in health care, Mr. Speaker. All this negativity from the NDP is absolute nonsense. Shame. We need to encourage . . . [inaudible interjection] . . . I’m on my feet. I’m on my feet and I’m speaking. We need to encourage . . .

Speaker Goudy: — Order, please. Oh my. Did you just say “lie”? Would you apologize please.

Kim Breckner: — I apologize and withdraw.

Speaker Goudy: — And I am going to mention that I had clarified earlier on this topic that we need to not be putting words into other people’s mouths, and careful how we discuss the intentions of others and the actions, I guess. So please continue.

Daryl Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We, Cheryl and I, and the people on this side of the House encourage and support all of our young people to take up careers in health care. I would also like to add that all three kids in health care work right here in the province of Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, I’d also like to give a shout-out to my mom. I love you, Mom. Still living on our home ranch that’s been in the family for 105 years. To my constituency assistants Trisha, April, and Merilyn: thank you for all you do in supporting me and handling the daily activities and inquiries that come through the office. You are the best. I might add that we’ve been working together long enough that they are very good at knowing when I need something before I even realize I need that something. Thank you.

Mr. Speaker, I’m sure like me you find your grandkids simply the very best. I am also married to a grandma. I had a friend once tell me, if I’d known grandkids were so much fun we’d have had them first. We have nine grandchildren and cannot be happier attending their activities — hockey, soccer, dance, gymnastics, piano recitals, or whatever activities they’re playing in. It’s nice to see them busy and participating in so many things. Team sports or activities are such a great development opportunity that every child should enjoy.

It’s also fun to show them around the ranch. Having them see a cow calving and seeing the calf struggle to get to its feet and have its first suck is truly an amazing sight to see, and I never get tired of seeing it. The look on their faces is one that you never forget. And those grandkids, they also notice the smallest of things — a caterpillar, a ladybug, and other small things that I take for granted because I see them every day. Oh, to be a kid again. Although as I get older I find myself looking at the beauty of the surrounding landscape, sunrises, and sunsets.

Mr. Speaker, we’ve got nine grandkids: Ava, who’s age nine; Blake, age seven; James, age six; Madison, age six; Ty, age five; Owen, age four; Hallie, age three. Jack is just past one, and Reese is nine months old. It is truly a wonderful life, and couldn’t be happier having them close to home and growing up right here in Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, while global unrest, tariffs, and market turmoil affect trade relationships, economics, nations, and people all over the world, Saskatchewan remains strong and steady. Saskatchewan has what the world needs — the food, the fuel, and fertilizer and so much, much more. Selling more of what we grow and produce to over 160 countries around the world, telling and selling our Saskatchewan story around the world is work done through our nine trade offices: offices in Germany, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. The NDP campaigned on closing those trade offices and listed our trade offices as waste and mismanagement in their 2024 election platform.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan is an exporting province and our economy is strong due to our expanding export markets. Getting our products to tidewater is critical. Our government is committed to supporting the building of infrastructure to get that done: building additional pipelines to the West Coast, building a west-to-east pipeline to directly supply Ontario with Western Canadian energy, expanding port capacity, and increasing electrical interties. Trade drives our economy — international and domestic. Strong, steady Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to get on the record today a recent report on provincial Finance ministers from across the country. I’m happy to share that Saskatchewan’s Finance minister was ranked first, even though he’s a Boston Bruins fan. Congratulations, Minister.

Not only is our Finance minister leading the nation, Saskatchewan is leading the nation in private capital investment, investment like we have never seen before. Companies and investors are seeing Saskatchewan as a safe, secure place to do business.

Most recently Bell Canada announced an expansion of its data centre just outside the city of Regina in the rural municipality of Sherwood. It was originally announced as a $12 billion investment, now is being quadrupled in size, and will now be an investment of over $50 billion, making it the largest single investment in Canadian history, an investment creating thousands of jobs right here in Saskatchewan. And Canadians’ online data will be stored in Canada by a Canadian company and governed under Canadian laws.

Bell Canada’s investment in Saskatchewan is just one of over 60 projects in Saskatchewan that are valued at over $100 billion. Strong, steady Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan has uranium mines in the North; oil, helium, hydrogen, lithium, and potash in the South; investments and jobs created literally border to border. It’s a great time to live and work in Saskatchewan. Saskatchewan is definitely that place to be.

NexGen’s Rook I mine will be one of the highest grade uranium mines in the world, supplying 20 per cent of the global demand. Along with Cameco, Orano, and Denison’s uranium production, Saskatchewan provides a quarter of the world’s uranium. With the rise in nuclear power generation around the world, they will be looking towards Saskatchewan to provide that fuel. Strong, steady Saskatchewan.

BHP’s Jansen potash mine will be the largest in the world when at full capacity. Jansen’s production, along with the other 10 active potash mines, will continue to meet the world’s fertilizer demand into the future. Currently Saskatchewan provides over one-third of that global demand. Strong, steady Saskatchewan.

Congratulations to Eldorado on bringing on their copper and zinc production from their McIlvenna Bay mine with plans already to expand and double that production, capital investment that’s creating jobs and growing Saskatchewan. Strong, steady Saskatchewan. All this new investment in mines plus the continued investment in oil and gas exploration and production firmly securing Saskatchewan’s place as the second-ranked oil producing province in Canada and the sixth-ranked oil producing jurisdiction in North America. To add to all that, helium, lithium, and hydrogen are increasing exploration and production here in the province.

[16:30]

More recently, the aluminum find near Tisdale, Canadian Energy Metals’ Thor project, estimates the deposit to represent one-third of the world’s known supply. Further to this, Saskatchewan is home to some of the most abundant rare earth elements anywhere in the world. Extracting, separating, and developing these critical minerals right here in Saskatchewan, creating jobs here at home and attracting further investment across the globe. Strong, steady Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, this year our farmers have had challenges. Rapid spring melt causing flooding in east central area, making seeding delayed. The fall harvest was a challenge in east central and southeast as well as some other areas around the province. Overall the harvest was well behind the average. And closer to home, farmers were adding tracks and adding triples to their combines and harvesting their crops while driving through water. Very few bushels were taken off dry, but most have gotten it off.

On the cattle side, pasture grass has never been better. It just goes to show you, mother nature is still in charge and our farmers and ranchers continue to adapt to whatever she throws her way.

Our government is focused on practical actions that strengthen our agriculture sector and provide support with changing conditions, positioning our producers for long-term success. We continue to strengthen the business risk management programs like crop insurance and AgriStability.

This year’s enhancements to AgriStability give producers steady, reliable support when these challenges arise. These changes include expanded access through late participation, an increase to interim payments, allowing costs associated with renting a pasture land to be used as an eligible expense, and allowing livestock producers to adjust feed inventory pricing. These changes result in stronger risk management support and greater financial stability for Saskatchewan’s farmers and ranchers. Strong, steady Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, Saskatchewan’s health human action plan is the most ambitious recruitment and retention plan in the country, and it’s working. Since 2022 more than 7,500 doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals have joined the provincial health care system. We are training more medical professionals here in the province; more than 1,000 medical specialists, nursing, and allied health training seats have been added to our post-secondary schools.

We have added more medical training seats and 10 more residency seats. All 162 medical residency seats and all 128 medical training seats are filled. A whopping 88 per cent of these students in the training seats are from right here in Saskatchewan.

There are an additional 15 more occupational therapist training seats, now a total of 40. There is also an additional 15 training seats for speech language pathology for a total of 40 as well. With the success of our graduate retention program, I would expect the majority of these students to stay and live, work, and raise a family right here in Saskatchewan.

Our government initiated the patients-first health care plan this year: 50 action items to improve success and outcomes for Saskatchewan patients so that everyone can receive the right care in the right place at the right time. As part of the patients-first health care plan, we have improved access to primary care for more than 43,000 patients with more than 54 nurse practitioner primary care contracts. These NP [nurse practitioner] contracts will provide the stability and reliability that Saskatchewan people are looking for. Strong, steady Saskatchewan.

The Regina breast health centre has been operating for one year and has had more than 2,200 referrals. We supported the launch of another mobile mammography unit, providing additional screenings across the province estimated to be 7,000 additional screenings annually. Women 40 years and older are now eligible for the breast check program.

During this session we will introduce legislation to expand the scope of practice for several health care providers, including licensed practical nurses, registered psychiatric nurses, and registered nurses, allowing them to safely work to the top of their trained skills and provide greater access to care for patients. Strong, steady Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, we believe in building. We believe in building our province. Record private capital investment in Saskatchewan shows the world that we are the place to be. Our government is investing in critical public infrastructure: new and expanded schools, new and expanded hospitals, new long-term care homes, new addiction treatment spaces, and improved highways with twinning or passing lanes. Construction is happening across this great province.

Mr. Speaker, I often come into Regina from the southeast on Arcola Avenue. It’s a growing part of the city with many new homes, multi-dwelling housing, and several commercial and retail business spaces. And I look off to the west, just outside the Ring Road. A tall, stand-alone building always catches my eye. It’s the Sask Polytechnic Regina campus building . . . Ah, good question. You can see it for miles as you drive on Highway 33, almost like an iconic grain elevator from yesteryears.

Today, many people might not realize or remember it was the Plains Hospital, a 300‑plus-bed tertiary hospital. Yes, the Queen City had three hospitals, Mr. Speaker. It was closed in the late 1990s by the NDP government of the day. This closure caused many staff to have to relocate, while others had no alternative but to leave their profession or leave the province. Can you imagine a registered nurse being laid off and not being able to find a new job? It was unthinkable, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I said before we like to build things, build Saskatchewan with a plan to grow and strengthen our province. We are not content to stay the wee, little province that previous NDP governments bragged about — NDP governments that had no interest in growing Saskatchewan, no vision, and providing no reason for people to stay here in Saskatchewan. So much negativity from the NDP. Today Saskatchewan is seeing more private capital investment like never before, and we continue to look for more. Sixty major projects valued at over $100 billion. There’s no room for negativity. Let’s continue to grow Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion — a century of support for veterans. Congratulations on 100 years. Our government is proud to support Saskatchewan veterans with the veteran service club support program. This year 64 veterans’ clubs received $1.45 million to help with facility upgrades and events.

To help communities, our government has doubled the community rink affordability grant from $2,500 to $5,000 per ice surface, helping communities with operating costs and upgrades to their facilities. Strong, steady Saskatchewan.

Mr. Speaker, there are so many great things happening in Saskatchewan, and it is truly the best place in the world to live, work, and raise your family. Go Riders.

I will not be supporting the amendment from the opposition. I will be supporting the motion by the member from White City-Qu’Appelle and seconded by the member from Last Mountain-Touchwood. Thank you and God bless.

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

Hugh Gordon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s good to be back in the Chamber and on my feet today to give my reply to the Throne Speech. And as always it’s an honour and a privilege to represent the good people of Saskatoon Silverspring in this Assembly. It was the honour of my lifetime when they elected me two years ago in 2024, and I look forward to many more years of working for them and representing them here in the capital city.

Of course before I begin today, I would be remiss if I didn’t thank my wife, Kim, for her support and the sacrifices she and my family have made nearly every day so that I can serve the people of Saskatchewan. This year has shown me just how important my family is to me and to my success in this endeavour. I’ve been reminded nothing else is as important in this world as my family.

I’d also like to thank my constituency assistant Alana Wakula for her tireless efforts and immense dedication to serving the people of Silverspring and Saskatchewan. I would not be nearly as successful as an MLA without her. So, Alana, thank you.

So here we go again, Mr. Speaker, the third Throne Speech since the 2024 election, and again we got a Throne Speech from this government that was so long on words but so terribly short on ideas. Another clear sign to the people of Saskatchewan just how old and tired this Sask Party government has become. And what struck me the most, Mr. Speaker, isn’t what was in the Throne Speech, but rather what wasn’t. The theme for it was strong and steady. Well you know a government is in trouble when it has to use words like this to describe itself to counter what has become so painfully obvious to everyone else outside this Chamber. Strong and steady? Hardly.

The Throne Speech spoke a lot about building AI data centres, but said nothing about consulting with local stakeholders. It mentioned nothing about engaging the duly elected representatives of the communities in which these centres will be built. And with respect to the Bell AI data centre, not a single Member of Parliament or member of this Assembly or city of Regina representative was consulted or was asked to weigh in on this project in any way, shape, or form.

And as far representatives from the RM of Sherwood go, there too, Mr. Speaker, this government saw fit to stack that council with hand-selected people who they knew would rubber-stamp this project with not so much as a simple question or two on the impact the centre would have on the community or the residents of Regina.

Questions such as who is the beneficial owner of this data centre? Who are the beneficial tenants of the data centre? We learned today in this Chamber two companies owned, partially owned or who have a significant ownership on the part of Mr. Trump and his son Donald Trump Jr. — Cerebras and CoreWeave — we learned today in this Chamber that they will be one of those beneficial tenants.

That begs the question, Mr. Speaker, about who controls the data. Who will control the data, Saskatchewan residents’ data, that will be stored at this data centre? And will those two American companies who are the tenants in this data centre, will they be subject to US [United States] law like Anthropic was when the US government ordered them to share that data with the US military? Because they, too, have laws as US companies. And will they be selling that data from Saskatchewan residents and selling it out to the highest bidder?

This government did not commit to a process of consultation in this Throne Speech with respect to these data centres. A strong and steady government would have done that, not one that’s running from accountability.

Also what’s curiously absent, Mr. Speaker, were the details of the deal this government made with Bell Canada. What supports were promised? What was the deal made with SaskPower and the impact and the cost to residential ratepayers? Or with SaskTel?

One has to wonder what the hidden costs to the people of this province will be if this project fails. I mean it’s not like there isn’t a gigantic AI data bubble going on in the world right now. So what could possibly go wrong?

The problem being, Mr. Speaker, is that this is a government that thinks that the taxpayer will always come to the rescue for their mistakes. Will SaskTel be the price the people of this province will have to pay if the Bell data centre cannot make a buck?

This was a Throne Speech that contained the same old canned talking points we’ve heard from this Sask Party government, the ones that they roll out whenever the cost-of-living crisis has taken another bite out of the pocketbooks of working people in Saskatchewan. Those being, “You’ve never had it so good, life is so affordable here, the lowest rental rates in the country” — not true — “the lowest utility bundle, blah blah blah.”

[16:45]

Maybe their motto should be “You’re richer than you think.” Don’t worry about eating. Don’t worry about the rent. Don’t worry about the cost of gas. You’re richer than you think.

But the people of this province are not stupid, Mr. Speaker. They know just how difficult it is just to make ends meet. There are hundreds of thousands of people in this province right now who just a few short years ago were treading financial water to keep into the middle class, who are suddenly slipping under as this government makes their lives less affordable.

They know just how expensive this government has made their lives. They know because they are the ones forced to pay more fees and out-of-pocket expenses for education and for health care, higher power bills, higher auto insurance rates, and the spectre of higher taxes as this government continues to spend their money completely oblivious to the financial debt disaster it is driving us all headlong into.

And once again, this government says it has the most ambitious health care recruitment plan in Canada. They tell all the doctors, the nurses, and other health care workers that have come to work in Saskatchewan, but fail to mention that we’re losing more of these skilled professionals than we are attracting. They could have put in this Throne Speech a commitment to finally signing a new agreement with CUPE [Canadian Union of Public Employees] Local 5430; SEIU-West [Service Employees International Union-West]; or SUN [Saskatchewan Union of Nurses], just to name a few, if they were really interested in retaining qualified health care professionals.

Instead this government keeps throwing money away on private care options that erode universal health care in Saskatchewan. So they can talk about all the acute care beds they’re creating or the urgent care centres or the complex-needs facilities they want or the progress on the Yorkton hospital, but they have failed to recruit and retain the doctors, nurses, or other health care staff needed to actually provide more or better health care services to people in need.

In essence this government is building hotels, only these hotels have no staff to tend to them, no doctors to provide a diagnosis, and no capacity to provide either the badly needed follow-up care or the surgeries if one is so lucky to even get a diagnosis. This government has had nearly 20 years, 20 years to fix health care in this province, and it is more clear than ever that the province of Saskatchewan cannot count on this government, this Premier, or this health care minister to solve those problems. In a province with a health care system where a broken ankle can get you killed, we can no longer have patience for this laughable patients-first health care plan.

Then this government spoke about community safety in the Throne Speech, and they started by saying how much they’ve done to remove illicit and poisonous drugs from our communities. Or should I say, would like to do. But tell me, Mr. Speaker, where’s that happening? Where have they made an appreciable impact in removing opioids and other drugs from our streets? In Prince Albert? In Saskatoon? Not according to the recent StatsCan study of the wastewater of those two communities, which show the highest levels of methamphetamine and cocaine in the country, a problem that has only grown under this government’s watch.

We’ve watched this government rob Peter to pay Paul as its Marshals Service diverts badly needed funds and people from the RCMP, from Saskatoon city or the Prince Albert city police services. We’ve watched this government download its responsibilities onto our municipalities, asking to do more and more with less and less.

Ask our city councils just how strong and steady that plan is. What’s so strong and steady about tent encampments? What is so strong and steady about having the highest child poverty rate in the country? This government has become so lazy, Mr. Speaker, and so careless as it relies on others to solve the problems it keeps creating. Hardly strong. Hardly steady.

Then they say they want the hospitality sector ride-sharing platforms to start reporting human trafficking to the police. Well I guess the problem is solved, right? The question becomes, Mr. Speaker, what then? Do the police suddenly get more officers to do that work? How does this government ensure that when these calls come in they will have the people and resources to investigate these cases? Making a change in the law, as this government has become increasingly reliant on, does not make the offence disappear, nor does it magically make cops appear out of thin air to deal with the issues.

I could also mention that the Throne Speech talks about how the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency is responding to the scathing report by MNP on the 2025 wildfire season. I could also mention how the SPSA [Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency] and the Minister of Community Safety and this government completely failed the people of Denare Beach and the North, and how no one in their right mind trusts this government to fix the problems they’ve created. It’s really hard to believe this government or to trust it when it constantly dodges accountability. Ask the people of the North just how strong and steady that is.

Let’s talk about agriculture in the Throne Speech, Mr. Speaker. And in there they say they want to conduct a comprehensive review of The Saskatchewan Farm Security Act. They say they want input from producers, stakeholders, and the public to strengthen legislation to ensure it meets the needs of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector. Well what it needs, Mr. Speaker, is a comprehensive review and inspection of each and every land title in this province to root out illegal foreign farm-ownership to safeguard the future of family farms in this province, and to ensure that farm land in Saskatchewan belongs to the residents of Saskatchewan and to Canada. Now that, Mr. Speaker, that would be strong and steady.

And then the government wanted to talk about all the new schools they’ve built or all the ones they’ve renovated, all the new projects and the record spending in education funding which, by the way, has not kept up with our population nor inflation.

But what they don’t want to talk about is the $1,483 funding shortfall per student in Saskatchewan. What they don’t want to talk about is the countless numbers of students who cannot access supports in the classroom. What they don’t want to talk about is how schools are bursting at the seams and have been forced to create boot-room classrooms while their roofs are falling in. What they don’t want to talk about are the kids that go to school hungry. They don’t want to talk about putting teachers and educational assistants into the impossible position of having to administer prescriptions to students or provide personal care to kids with health care issues.

They don’t want to talk about violence in the classrooms, Mr. Speaker. Maybe when they get around to testing all the grade 3-ers for literacy, the kids will get the chance to tell the government that it’s finally time for a school in Harbour Landing or in White City or in Brighton. Kids will say the darndest things. So ask all of our teachers or our kids or their parents just how strong and steady their education is in this province.

And really, Mr. Speaker, the rest of the Throne Speech is just a bunch of items the government has already done or committed to. There’s a number of pleasantries in there that sound like there’s a bunch of new commitments without really offering anything substantive.

What’s not in this Throne Speech, Mr. Speaker, is a plan to drastically fight the drug crisis in this province. There’s nothing new here to help people with addictions to get help when they need it. There’s nothing in this speech for people who absolutely cannot get mental health supports in this province because there are not enough mental health professionals. There’s no mention of how this government is going to make any inroads into the housing and the homelessness crisis that has befallen our cities.

There are no plans to ensure that affordable and accessible child care is there for every parent in Saskatchewan that needs it. There are no plans to be transparent and accountable about AI data centres for those who’ll be living next to them and worried it will take their jobs and livelihoods from them. There are no plans to provide any meaningful cost-of-living relief for people who face ever higher fees, utility bills, and insurance premiums. And last but not least, there is absolutely no plan or commitment to return this province back to a balanced budget or to even begin to pay off the massive debt this government and this Premier have accumulated.

For these reasons, Mr. Speaker, I will not be supporting the government’s Throne Speech and will be supporting the amendment put forward by my colleague from Saskatoon Fairview, seconded by the member from Regina Walsh Acres. Thanks.

Speaker Goudy: — I recognize the Minister of Highways.

Hon. Kim Gartner: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I apologize for my voice one more time. But I want to get my comments on the record before it totally fails me. So I’m going to go right now.

So, Mr. Speaker, I want to take a moment once again to thank those closest to me for their unwavering support, especially my dear wife of almost 38 years. She reminds me daily of my commitment to the constituents of Kindersley-Biggar. She has been my co-pilot to many functions. And although she may drive too fast through parades, she reminds me that walking in the parades is good for my health, and a lot of times I’m running. I’m grateful every day for her laughter, encouragement, and her honest critique of every word that has ever come out of my mouth.

Mr. Speaker, the summer has been full of conversations with constituents, both in group settings and in private conversation. In my Kindersley office I have three individuals that job-share the CA [constituency assistant] position: Maxine, Cathy, and Rita. You are efficient and compassionate individuals, and I thank my lucky stars everyday for your dedicated service to the people of Kindersley-Biggar.

Mr. Speaker, the theme of this Throne Speech is “Strong, Steady Saskatchewan.” I’m so proud of my constituency because I believe they typify what a strong, steady Saskatchewan community means. The communities in Kindersley-Biggar continue to pull together for community projects and partnerships, continuing a tradition of community and family that has been a staple of Saskatchewan for generations.

My communities continue to demonstrate time and time again that by working together as provincial and municipal governments — alongside a strong and robust business sector, community volunteers, and advocacy groups — we can provide the very best environment for our children, our grandchildren, and future residents of this province.

This happens every day in Kindersley-Biggar communities, Mr. Speaker, but here are just a couple of examples. Through the school playground equipment grant, the communities of Biggar, Macklin, Luseland and, most recently, Marengo celebrated the opening of new playground infrastructure. In my constituency, these playground projects are a great example of how communities join with our government to demonstrate the faith and commitment to rural Saskatchewan.

For the second year in a row, the Kindersley Kinsmen & Kinette Club partnered with local bull rider, Dakota Buttar and the PBR [Professional Bull Riders Canada] to raise funds for the Kindersley and District Health Foundation. This year’s total was an amazing $129,270, bringing a two-year total to over $220,000. This is a vote of confidence in their community, Mr. Speaker, and a commitment to ensure a strong and steady community will be available for generations to come.

Mr. Speaker, west central Saskatchewan has a history grounded in agriculture and the energy sectors, but also a history of investing into its own prosperity in a strong and steady Saskatchewan. Our area celebrates the construction of many projects like the CFIA [Canadian Food Inspection Agency]-approved slaughterhouse on the Eagle Creek Hutterite Colony, the expansion of power generation facilities, expansion of oil and gas drilling, new chemical fertilizer facilities, new multi-unit residential developments, and bold investment in local daycare and early learning spaces.

We salute our young population, Mr. Speaker, which is investing into new homes as they settle into my constituency with great job prospects and optimism — optimism, Mr. Speaker, for a bright future in a province that continues to be the most affordable place in Canada.

Our communities have been able to grow and expand the services for some of our most vulnerable through organizations like the Bea Fisher Centre in Macklin, the Kindersley abilities centre, and soon-to-be-open Farm in the Dell location in Biggar.

Mr. Speaker, our government is expanding the municipal bylaw court system using the model created in Kindersley. Through local community crime watch programs, aggressive municipal bylaw enforcement, and support for the local law enforcement initiatives like the small-town and rural police services community grant, we are working together to ensure our residents feel safe in their communities. A program grant was recently acknowledged for the town of Luseland police services.

Mr. Speaker, the Kindersley-Biggar constituency is full of strong, steady, rural communities with affordable living, affordable recreation.

Speaker Goudy: — It now being 5 o’clock, this Assembly stands recessed until 7 p.m.

[The Assembly recessed from 17:00 until 19:00.]

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

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