STANDING COMMITTEE ON

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

MINUTE NO. 13

9:58 a.m. — māmawapiwin náyati room (Room 8)

1.     Present: Trent Wotherspoon in the chair and members David Chan, Hugh Gordon, Daryl Harrison,* Megan Patterson,* Joan Pratchler, and James Thorsteinson.

Substituting Members

Daryl Harrison for Terri Bromm

Megan Patterson for Travis Keisig

Provincial Auditor’s Office

Tara Clemett, Provincial Auditor

Victor Schwab, Deputy Provincial Auditor

Jason Shaw, Deputy Provincial Auditor

Michelle Lindenbach, Principal

Jennifer Robertson, Principal

Provincial Comptroller’s Office

Brent Hebert, Provincial Comptroller

Jane Borland, Assistant Provincial Comptroller

2.     The Chair presided over the election of a Deputy Chair. James Thorsteinson was nominated for the position. There being no further nominations, it was moved by David Chan:

That James Thorsteinson be elected to preside as Deputy Chair of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

The question being put, it was agreed to.

3.     The following document was tabled:

Ministry of Social Services: Responses to questions raised at the October 15, 2025 meeting

(PAC 68-30)

4.     The committee considered the Provincial Auditor’s 2023 report volume 2, chapter 2, Executive Council and 2024 report volume 2, chapter 2, Executive Council.

The following Executive Council officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Raynelle Wilson, Deputy Minister to the Premier and Cabinet Secretary

Myron Soloduk, Executive Director, Corporate Services

5.     The following document was tabled:

Executive Council: Status update, dated January 20, 2026

(PAC 69-30)

6.     The committee concluded consideration of the Provincial Auditor’s 2023 report volume 2, chapter 2, Executive Council and 2024 report volume 2, chapter 2, Executive Council.

7.     The committee recessed from 10:20 a.m. until 10:22 a.m.

8.     The committee considered the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 5, Justice and Attorney General — Providing Transition Spaces for Individuals Leaving Interpersonal Violence.

The following Ministry of Justice and Attorney General officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Kimberly Kratzig, Deputy Minister

Brad Gurash, Assistant Deputy Minister, Corporate Services

Gina Alexander, Executive Director, Community Safety and Well-Being

9.     The following document was tabled:

Ministry of Justice and Attorney General: Status update, dated January 20, 2026

(PAC 70-30)

10. The committee concurred with recommendation 1 made at page 59 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 5, Justice and Attorney General — Providing Transition Spaces for Individuals Leaving Interpersonal Violence:

We recommend the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General make information on how to apply for funding and licensing more accessible to potential transition house operators.

The committee noted that the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General is making progress towards complying with the recommendation.

11. The committee concurred with recommendation 2 made at page 61 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 5, Justice and Attorney General — Providing Transition Spaces for Individuals Leaving Interpersonal Violence:

We recommend the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General determine key performance information required from transition houses.

12. The committee concurred with recommendation 3 made at page 63 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 5, Justice and Attorney General — Providing Transition Spaces for Individuals Leaving Interpersonal Violence:

We recommend the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General rationalize funding provided to community-based organizations operating transition and second-stage houses.

13. The committee concurred with recommendation 4 made at page 64 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 5, Justice and Attorney General — Providing Transition Spaces for Individuals Leaving Interpersonal Violence:

We recommend the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General periodically inspect transition houses to verify compliance with established requirements.

14. The committee concurred with recommendation 5 made at page 66 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 5, Justice and Attorney General — Providing Transition Spaces for Individuals Leaving Interpersonal Violence:

We recommend the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General verify completion of periodic criminal record checks for people working with survivors of interpersonal violence living in transition and second-stage houses.

15. The committee concurred with recommendation 6 made at page 69 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 5, Justice and Attorney General — Providing Transition Spaces for Individuals Leaving Interpersonal Violence:

We recommend the Ministry of Justice and Attorney General analyze and report key performance information including turn-away statistics for transition and second-stage houses to determine strategies to address shortfalls.

16. The committee considered the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 2, chapter 18, Justice and Attorney General — Conducting Timely and Accurate Coroner Investigations.

The following Ministry of Justice and Attorney General officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Kimberly Kratzig, Deputy Minister

Rory Jensen, Assistant Deputy Minister, Courts and Community Justice

Jeff Wagner, Chief Coroner, Courts and Community Justice

17. The committee concluded consideration of the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 2, chapter 18, Justice and Attorney General — Conducting Timely and Accurate Coroner Investigations.

18. The committee considered the Provincial Auditor’s 2024 report volume 2, chapter 28, Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission — Providing Legal Aid Services.

The following officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Ministry of Justice and Attorney General

Kimberly Kratzig, Deputy Minister

Kylie Head, Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Justice Services and Tribunals

Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission

Jayne Mallin, Chief Executive Officer

Sarah Mihailovich, Vice-President, Operations and Administration

19. The following document was tabled:

Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission: Status update, dated January 20, 2026

(PAC 71-30)

20. The committee concluded consideration of the Provincial Auditor’s 2024 report volume 2, chapter 28, Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission — Providing Legal Aid Services.

21. The committee recessed from 11:54 a.m. until 1:02 p.m.

22. The committee considered the Provincial Auditor’s 2024 report volume 2, chapter 7, Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute.

The following officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Ministry of Agriculture

Bill Greuel, Deputy Minister

Robert Pentland, Executive Director, Corporate Services

Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute

Paul Buczkowski, President and Chief Executive Officer

Ben Petruk, Associate Director of Finance

23. The following document was tabled:

Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute: Status update, dated January 20, 2026

(PAC 72-30)

24. The committee concluded consideration of the Provincial Auditor’s 2024 report volume 2, chapter 7, Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute.

25. The committee recessed from 1:13 p.m. until 1:15 p.m.

26. The committee considered the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 17, Saskatchewan Research Council — Purchasing Goods and Services.

The following Saskatchewan Research Council officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Mike Crabtree, President and Chief Executive Officer

Ryan Hill, Chief Operating Officer

Jocelyn Allard, Vice-President, Finance

27. The following document was tabled:

Saskatchewan Research Council: Status update, dated January 20, 2026

(PAC 73-30)

28. The committee concluded consideration of the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 17, Saskatchewan Research Council — Purchasing Goods and Services.

29. The committee recessed from 1:30 p.m. until 1:33 p.m.

30. The committee considered the Provincial Auditor’s 2024 report volume 2, chapter 5, Highways.

The following Ministry of Highways officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Kyle Toffan, Deputy Minister

Tom Lees, Assistant Deputy Minister

Chris Ference, Executive Director

Bryan Peacock, Director

31. The following document was tabled:

Ministry of Highways: Status update, dated January 20, 2026

(PAC 74-30)

32. The committee concurred with recommendation 1 made at page 36 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2024 report volume 2, chapter 5, Highways:

We recommend the Ministry of Highways prepare and review revenue reconciliations in accordance with its policy.

The committee noted that the Ministry of Highways has complied with the recommendation.

33. The committee concurred with recommendation 2 made at page 36 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2024 report volume 2, chapter 5, Highways:

We recommend Ministry of Highways management conduct a detailed review of the Transportation Partnerships Fund’s year-end financial statements.

The committee noted that the Ministry of Highways has complied with the recommendation.

34. The committee recessed from 1:48 p.m. until 1:51 p.m.

35. The committee considered the Provincial Auditor’s 2023 report volume 2, chapter 15, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission — Increasing Apprentices from Underrepresented Groups.

The following Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission officials appeared before the committee and answered questions:

Witnesses

Jeff Ritter, Chief Executive Officer

Dave Peters, Chief Operating Officer

Shaun Augustin, Chief Financial Officer

Chelsea Coupal, Director, Communications and Marketing

36. The following document was tabled:

Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission: Status update, dated January 20, 2026

(PAC 75-30)

37. The committee concurred with recommendation 1 made at page 141 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2023 report volume 2, chapter 15, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission — Increasing Apprentices from Underrepresented Groups:

We recommend the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission pursue visible minority representation on its Board of Directors.

The committee noted that the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission has complied with the recommendation.

38. The committee concurred with recommendation 2 made at page 142 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2023 report volume 2, chapter 15, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission — Increasing Apprentices from Underrepresented Groups:

We recommend the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission sufficiently engage with apprentices from underrepresented groups to identify barriers and develop sufficient actions to address them.

The committee noted that the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission has complied with the recommendation.

39. The committee concurred with recommendation 3 made at page 144 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2023 report volume 2, chapter 15, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission — Increasing Apprentices from Underrepresented Groups:

We recommend the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission establish appropriate actions to address all key identified barriers faced by underrepresented groups.

The committee noted that the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission has complied with the recommendation.

40. The committee concurred with recommendation 4 made at page 145 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2023 report volume 2, chapter 15, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission — Increasing Apprentices from Underrepresented Groups:

We recommend the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission enhance and implement its Innovation and Inclusion Strategy to increase underrepresented groups in the skilled trades.

The committee noted that the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission has complied with the recommendation.

41. The committee concurred with recommendation 5 made at page 148 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2023 report volume 2, chapter 15, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission — Increasing Apprentices from Underrepresented Groups:

We recommend the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission revise its targets for female apprentices to promote greater provincial representation of women in the skilled trades.

The committee noted that the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission has complied with the recommendation.

42. The committee concurred with recommendation 6 made at page 149 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2023 report volume 2, chapter 15, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission — Increasing Apprentices from Underrepresented Groups:

We recommend the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission expand its performance measures and targets for underrepresented groups to include all key milestones (e.g., entry, duration, completion) in the apprenticeship program.

The committee noted that the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission is making progress towards complying with the recommendation.

43. The committee concurred with recommendation 7 made at page 150 of the Provincial Auditor’s 2023 report volume 2, chapter 15, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission — Increasing Apprentices from Underrepresented Groups:

We recommend the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission formalize its analysis of reasons for not meeting established targets for underrepresented groups, and planned actions to address.

The committee noted that the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission has complied with the recommendation.

44. The committee recessed from 2:37 p.m. until 2:38 p.m.

45. The committee considered the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 3, Summary of Implemented Recommendations and 2025 report volume 2, chapter 8, Summary of Implemented Recommendations.

46. The committee concluded consideration of the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 1, chapter 3, Summary of Implemented Recommendations and 2025 report volume 2, chapter 8, Summary of Implemented Recommendations.

47. The committee considered the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 2, chapter 31, Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

48. The committee concluded consideration of the Provincial Auditor’s 2025 report volume 2, chapter 31, Standing Committee on Public Accounts.

49. It was moved by James Thorsteinson:

That this committee do now adjourn.

The question being put, it was agreed to.

50. The committee adjourned at 3:00 p.m. until Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.

 

 

 

Trent Wotherspoon, Chair

Miranda Gudereit, Committee Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

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