The Speaker: — I would like to table the report from the Provincial Auditor. In accordance with the provisions of section 14.1 of The Provincial Auditor Act, the auditor has submitted the 2023 report volume 2.

ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS

INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS

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

Mr. Friesen: — Request leave for an extended introduction.

The Speaker: — Leave has been requested for an extended introduction. Is leave granted?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried.

Mr. Friesen: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you and to all members of the Assembly, it gives me great pleasure today to introduce my friend — and yes, my colleagues will joke; I do have a friend — Noah Kelleher in your gallery, Mr. Speaker. Give us a wave, Noah. Give us a wave, Noah. There we go.

Mr. Speaker, I met Noah at the graduation of high school for Noah. He actually graduated with my oldest daughter. And Noah has been a major advocate in helping me get elected, including way back to 2013 when I decided to seek my first nomination. And in the loss of 2016, Noah and Elias Nelson — in the building here, who is now chief of staff for the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions — both would come to my house a couple times a month, sometimes more, and we would strategize in how to do better in the 2020 election.

And so it is with great pride that I introduce Noah today, and I ask all members to join me in welcoming Noah Kelleher to his Legislative Assembly.

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Environment.

Hon. Ms. Tell: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you and to all members of this Assembly, seated in your west gallery here today are 28 grade 3/4 students from W.S. Hawrylak in the constituency of Regina Wascana Plains, accompanied by their teacher Meaghen Da Costa and parent chaperone Cambri Daelick. I look forward to meeting with you after question period. I ask all members to join me in welcoming them to their Assembly.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Rosemont.

Mr. Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a tremendous pleasure to introduce some amazing people or a remarkable person in your gallery, Mr. Speaker. Calem Watson has joined us here today, 24 years old.

And Calem is a remarkable guy. He’s got a love of the outdoors. He’s an incredible paddler. He’s a big fisher, hunter. But this summer he embarked on a journey that most of us could only imagine, Mr. Speaker. And the perseverance and skill that was required to complete this 3000‑kilometre expedition through the Northwest Territories to the Arctic Ocean is just nothing short of inspiring and remarkable, Mr. Speaker.

He’s joined here today by his parents, Justin Watson and Shawndra Watson. I can only imagine as parents how they felt, Mr. Speaker, in May as Calem headed out on this expedition all on his own in the Far North, Mr. Speaker. But I know they’re incredibly proud.

I look forward to honouring him in a member’s statement here today, so everyone will hear a little bit more. But I’ll ask everyone to show their appreciation and to give a warm hello to Calem and to Justin and to Shawndra Watson.

And, Mr. Speaker, while on my feet I spotted that good-looking mayor seated up there, Mr. Speaker. That’s Mike Strachan from Torquay, Mr. Speaker. He’s a good leader obviously for Torquay but for the municipalities across Saskatchewan. I ask all to welcome Mayor Mike Strachan to his Assembly.

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Highways.

Hon. Ms. Carr: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to you and through you and to all members of the Assembly, it is also my pleasure to welcome Mike Strachan, Mayor Mike Strachan to our Assembly today.

I’ve had the privilege of knowing Mike for several, several years, and I’m going to embarrass him just a little bit. He used to be in the air cadet program and I was one of the leaders in that program, so I had the pleasure of mentoring him through there a little bit. And he’s actually become a really great leader in my constituency and in our community. So thank you very much, Mike. Thank you.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Canora-Pelly.

Mr. Dennis: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In your west gallery here, I would like to welcome 25 grade 8 students from Canora. And thank you for making the long trip, trek down here. It’s nice to see you here before Christmas.

With them today is their teacher Ally Rock. And Chelsea Volke is one of the chaperones, and I do believe Lorraine Gress, if she made the trip. I don’t see her up there though. Is she there? Oh yeah. Lorraine is one of my old hockey mothers. I’m sure she’s got a lot of stories about me.

And Ally Rock are good friends of ours, and I actually had the pleasure of coaching her baseball. And I think I taught her lots. She played first base, just like me, in the guys’ league right up to midgets. And the guys would always kind of throw it a little soft and I said, whip the ball; she’ll catch it. And she did a great job and now she’s leading this grade 8 class.

And I look forward to meeting them after, and I do — unlike some of my colleagues — I have ice cream. And I look forward to meeting with you.

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

Hon. Mr. Wyant: — Thank you. Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, to you and through you to all members of the Assembly, I’d like to introduce the international education and jurisdictional branch from the Ministry of Advanced Education, which are seated in your gallery, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, it’s a pleasure to have Jill Zimmer, the executive director, and her team with us today. Jill and her team lead the ministry’s efforts to position Saskatchewan as the best place to study, invest, live, work, and raise a family, to a national and global audience. Mr. Speaker, working closely with intergovernmental partners, the branch also facilitates, leads, and co-leads international missions on behalf of the ministry and on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan. These missions focus on attracting investment and talented human capital to our province in the form of students, faculty, and researchers.

Mr. Speaker, I’d ask all members to join me in thanking them for their great work that they do in making me look good every day, Mr. Speaker, and welcome them to their Legislative Assembly.

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

Mr. Love: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. To you and through you, I’d like to join with the Minister of Advanced Education in welcoming Jill and her team to their Legislative Assembly. Certainly share many of those values and the appreciation that the minister just mentioned in terms of the work that you do in making Saskatchewan a great place to study, put down roots, build a career, and improve our province. And we know that you do such important work.

And on behalf of the opposition, I’d like to join with the minister thanking you for your work, and ask all members to thank you and welcome you to your Legislative Assembly.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Yorkton.

Mr. Ottenbreit: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to introduce to the Assembly and all in the Assembly somebody that actually needs no introduction. He serves in this building pretty much every day just like the members. That’s Fred Hill. He’s behind me in the east gallery.

You know, as session comes to an end and as Christmas approaches, it’s only fitting I think to thank Fred for his service, not only to all members on both sides of the House, many different employees in this building, as well as constituency assistants across the province. He offers his services selflessly and humbly, and he’s just an amazing friend to all and an amazing servant in this House.

And it’s only fitting that we recognize him today. Not only Christmas approaching, it’s Fred’s 60th birthday. So I’d ask all members to welcome Fred Hill, Chaplain Fred Hill to his Legislative Assembly and wish him a merry, very merry 60th birthday and all the best for the next 60 to come.

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

Mr. Love: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to join with the member opposite in recognizing a friend to this Assembly, Fred Hill, and wish him a happy birthday on behalf of the opposition. Sixtieth — that’s incredible, and I hope that you definitely feel celebrated not only by the members in this Assembly today as we say happy birthday to you, Fred, but by your loved ones, your family at home. I know you’re so proud.

And our conversations often centre around family. Someone I always appreciate asking how my wife, Emma, is doing, how my kids are doing, and I share that right back as we get to share so much joy in the people that support us in this work. So I hope you have a wonderful day, Fred, celebrating with your family, and a wonderful Christmas season when you spend more time there than you’ve spent here over the last eight weeks.

But on behalf of the opposition, happy birthday, thank you for all you do, and welcome once again here to your Assembly.

PRESENTING PETITIONS

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

Hon. Mr. Morgan: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m not surprised that you were not able to recognize me. It’s been some years since I’ve done a petition. As a matter of fact, it’s been in excess of 17 years since I’ve presented a petition.

Mr. Speaker, it’s my privilege to rise in the Assembly today to present a petition on behalf of citizens that are concerned about the high cost of living which has been caused by the carbon tax and the unfair applicability of the carbon tax and the exemptions that were created for heating oil costs in Atlantic Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I’d like to read the prayer:

We, in the prayer that reads as follows, respectfully request the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan take the following action: to call upon the Government of Canada to immediately remove the carbon tax from all home heating costs across Canada to reduce inflation and drive down the rising cost of living faced by all Canadians from coast to coast.

Mr. Speaker, this petition is signed by the great citizens from Meadow Lake, Rockglen, and Regina. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I so present.

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

Mr. Burki: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to present a petition calling on government to address home supports for older adults in Saskatchewan.

The undersigned residents of the province of Saskatchewan wish to bring to your attention the following: that evidence shows that older adults in Saskatchewan want to age in their homes and their communities; that the factors that drive older adults from their homes often go beyond the need; a provincially subsidized home supports program could help older adults with their practical needs; that when older adults have autonomy over their lives and decisions, they experience better health and quality-of-life outcomes; that providing supports for older adults in their homes comes at a significantly lower cost than providing institutionalized care; that other provinces and jurisdictions have successfully implemented home support programs that reduce the strain on long-term care and improve the outcome for older adults.

I will 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 work with older adults, stakeholders, and municipalities to design a home supports program that will allow seniors to age with dignity and autonomy in their homes and their communities.

The Speaker: — Another petition, please.

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Lloydminster.

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Ms. C. Young: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Today we wear white ribbons to show our collective promise to condemn violence against women and affirm our commitment to prevent violence and support those impacted.

On this day in 1989 the tragic massacre at École Polytechnique in Montreal occurred. Today and every year we remember and honour the 14 women who lost their lives in a horrendous act of violence based on their gender: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, and Annie Turcotte.

[13:45]

These women will not be forgotten. This year our government affirmed our commitment to reduce and eliminate violence in Saskatchewan by adding our support to the national action plan to end gender-based violence.

We also recognize that education and awareness are crucial steps to prevent violence from occurring. I encourage everyone to learn more about the resources and services available in our province by visiting facetheissue.ca, and anyone experiencing or impacted by violence to call or text 211 for support. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Ms. Sarauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I also rise today to recognize the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. We stand in remembrance of the 14 young women murdered on this day in 1989 at École Polytechnique in Montreal. Those women were Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz. These victims — students, engineers in training — were killed by a gunman for the crime of being women.

As we honour their memories, we should remember that there’s so much work that still needs to be done. Saskatchewan has year after year had the highest rates in the country of violence against women. I ask all members on this day of remembrance to give serious thought to what we all must do to end the crisis of violence against women. Thank you.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Rosetown-Elrose.

Remembering Terry Summach

Hon. Mr. Reiter: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This past fall Saskatchewan lost an agricultural entrepreneurial giant. Terry Summach was born October 11th, 1942 and was raised in Saskatoon where he would later graduate from the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Engineering.

Mr. Speaker, besides being a dedicated family man and community leader, Terry is most known for his work with Flexi-Coil. Under his leadership, Flexi-Coil saw global expansion across several continents including North America, Australia, Europe, and South America.

In keeping with Terry’s community-minded spirit, Flexi-Coil’s management group would distribute Christmas turkeys annually to all 2,000 employees to ensure every one of them could enjoy a Christmas dinner with their families.

Outside of work, Terry was an accomplished pilot as well as a philanthropist for causes throughout the province and the country — causes like the Baptist Union Development Fund, Teen Challenge Saskatchewan, and the founding of the e3 Ministry Canada.

Mr. Speaker, I’m told that family was very much a priority for Terry. While his many business accolades and awards were placed in the basement, the main floor of his home was decorated with his proudest achievements — photos of his family.

Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, thank you to Terry Summach for a lifetime of work in making this province a better place for everyone.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Rosemont.

Regina Paddler Inspires with Solo Arctic Expedition

Mr. Wotherspoon: — Mr. Speaker, it’s my honour to celebrate Calem Watson, an incredible Saskatchewan guy, and his extraordinary expedition. Calem set out in May this year for a 3000‑kilometre solo canoe expedition through the Northwest Territories to Tuktoyaktuk on the Arctic Ocean.

He completed the expedition 125 days later in mid-September. His journey of overcoming insurmountable obstacles while paddling and portaging alone in the land of the midnight sun and muskox, through muskeg, and on massive water is nothing short of remarkable and inspiring beyond belief.

Calem shared the story of his journey last night. I was there with some of my paddling pals, including William. As he spoke you could hear a pin drop in the packed, sold-out room. He shared stories of extended days of being alone in a vast, remote land and the solitude, reflection, and adversity it offered. He shared stories of beautiful humanity and kindness extended by strangers that he met along the way, stories of bear encounters, a wolf, a foot infection that put him at risk, dangerous winds, rapids, and water temperatures that would have taken his life had he overturned, and stories of incredible fishing along the way, something he enjoyed for sport but required for sustenance.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members of this Assembly to join with me in celebrating Calem Watson and his remarkable and inspiring perseverance and accomplishment. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Lung Saskatchewan Launches Saskatchewan Quit Smoking Challenge

Mr. Fiaz: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Every year in Saskatchewan, lung cancer takes more lives than many other types of cancer. In recognition of that fact, Lung Saskatchewan, with support from Nicorette, Heart & Stroke, and the Pharmacy Association of Saskatchewan, is launching the Saskatchewan Quit Smoking Challenge. From December 4th to January 31st, they will be providing support, resources, and personal stories shared by people who are at different stages of their quit journey. If you are considering quitting or cutting back smoking, this may be the motivation you need.

Lung Saskatchewan is grateful to work with organizations to help spread their message, including SaskTel TelCare for providing support for the promotion of this campaign through posters and postcards being sent to Saskatchewan pharmacies this week. Those that sign up will receive a free Nicorette replacement therapy sample kit as well as they enter to win weekly and grand prizes.

A Saskatchewan Quits Facebook group is a year-round source for those looking for support. If you are looking to quit or cut back smoking, it can be the beginning of your journey and Saskatchewan Quits is here to help.

Consider taking this positive step for your health by registering for the Saskatchewan Quit Smoking Challenge at saskquits.ca. Mr. Speaker, our government is proud to support prevention, cessation, and education strategies. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Westview.

Saskatchewan Family Recognizes Police Officers Preventing Impaired Driving

Mr. Buckingham: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I want to give a special thank you to a very special couple that have created some awards to reward and say thank you to police officers across our province that have done some exceptional work removing impaired drivers from our roads.

Lou and Linda Van de Vorst know all too well the consequences of impaired driving and have lost four family members simply because someone chose to drive while impaired, a tragedy that no one should have to go through. Despite their terrible loss, Lou and Linda wanted to help others not face the same fate that they did.

Lou and Linda created the Van de Vorst Family police recognition awards to recognize some exceptional work by police officers across our province. Seventy of those officers received recognition from Lou and Linda for their outstanding work at an event held at the Saskatoon Inn. Corporal Amy Huebner of the U of S [University of Saskatchewan] Protective Services received the Platinum Award and was responsible for issuing 187 impaired driving charges or suspensions in 12 months.

I ask that all members join me in thanking Lou, Linda, and all the officers that keep our roads safe. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Saskatchewan Delegation’s Success at Conference of Parties 28

Mr. Keisig: — I am pleased to rise and give the House an update on the Saskatchewan delegation’s experience at COP28 [Conference of Parties 28]. Premier Scott Moe was joined by Premier Danielle Smith and Newfoundland Environment minister Bernard Davis for a discussion in the Blue Zone to talk CCUS [carbon capture, utilization, and storage], uranium, and critical minerals.

Mr. Speaker, after this successful panel, our delegation followed up with the Western Canadian energy solutions discussion at the Saskatchewan pavilion’s Green Zone. And I’m happy to let the House know that, much to the opposition’s chagrin, this panel caused so much attention that we had guests spilling out of the Saskatchewan pavilion and onto the floor.

And, Mr. Speaker, even the federal government is noticing the success of our Saskatchewan pavilion. Federal Innovation, Science and Industry minister François-Philippe Champagne made an appearance at the pavilion and has agreed to join our fireside chat on uranium. Mr. Speaker, I can guess that Minister Champagne was keen to join our chat after learning how Saskatchewan is leading the nation and the world in sustainable mining practices.

We’re very proud to see how much attention our Saskatchewan pavilion is getting. And that’s because the Saskatchewan story is a story worth telling. We have the fuel, food, and fertilizer that our global partners need to face the future. And there’s nobody better at telling that story than our Premier. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

QUESTION PERIOD

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

Circumstances of Patient Fatality

Ms. Beck: — This tired and out-of-touch government is failing to deliver on health care. Gwen Gilbert, who’s joined us today, has been looking for answers since her daughter, Andrea Parmar, died in the Yorkton hospital. Andrea was a psychiatric nurse, counsellor, writer, and motivational speaker from Langenburg.

She was admitted on March 28th, 2022 to the Yorkton ICU [intensive care unit], where she tragically died four days later. Gwen and her family met with the former Health minister earlier this spring, but they still have many unanswered questions about what happened to Andrea.

Mr. Speaker, why has this family had to wait so long to get answers about what happened to their daughter in this province’s health care system?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I would begin by extending my condolences to Gwen Gilbert and the family of Andrea Parmar, Mr. Speaker, and thank them for being here today.

Mr. Speaker, while The Health Information Protection Act prevents me from getting into the specifics of patient cases on the floor of the Assembly, I can confirm that I will be meeting, we have a meeting scheduled for tomorrow with Gwen Gilbert and family members to discuss this further, Mr. Speaker.

As the Leader of the Opposition mentioned in her questioning, the previous minister of Health, now the Minister of Corrections and Policing, did meet with the family back in the spring and also, I understand, visited the Yorkton hospital and talked to staff and leadership there specifically about this case, Mr. Speaker. And I believe that there have been some answers provided.

But again, we’ll be meeting with the family tomorrow to have further conversation about the circumstances around this tragic passing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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

Ms. Beck: — Mr. Speaker, Gwen and her family believe that Andrea didn’t get the care that she needed. They want to know why Andrea wasn’t intubated, why she wasn’t seen by an internal medical specialist that night, and why there was no effort to transfer her to Regina when it was clear that her health had begun to deteriorate.

As mentioned, she met with the last Health minister in May. Commitments were made at that meeting, but they haven’t been followed through on. When will the minister get this family the answers that they’re looking for? And Gwen would like to know, when will there be accountability and justice?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And when we sit down tomorrow to meet with the family, I look forward to having a conversation about the information that, I understand, my understanding, has been provided already, but also recognizing that there may be some additional questions here. And I will endeavour as Minister of Health with our team to follow up on any of these outstanding issues.

Mr. Speaker, the ministry doesn’t have access to patient records. I believe that, and I stand to be corrected, but I believe that there has been some follow-up or contact between the family and various self-regulating bodies around care and what happened, around the circumstances of this case, Mr. Speaker.

But again, I will be sitting down with the family tomorrow to have a further conversation about the circumstances around the passing of Andrea and next steps forward, Mr. Speaker.

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

Ms. Beck: — Mr. Speaker, Gwen shouldn’t be getting updates from the floor of this Assembly about what happened as a result of those meetings. Understandably she wants answers about the night that Andrea died, but she also very clearly wants to make sure that this doesn’t happen to any other family in this province in our health care system.

Andrea wasn’t seen by a doctor the night she was in the hospital and, as we know, short-staffing has unfortunately become the norm across the health care system. What specific changes will the Minister of Health be making to ensure that what happened to Andrea will not happen to any other person in our health care system?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In addition to what I’m aware of currently, you know, a follow-up to the meeting that we will have with the family tomorrow, the SHA [Saskatchewan Health Authority] would take every effort to ensure that there is the appropriate follow-up that is done when it comes to an incident such as this critical incident.

[14:00]

Mr. Speaker, I believe there would have been an investigation into all of the circumstances around this case. There would have been recommendations made for changes and improvements to be made to prevent such an incident from ever happening again in one of our health care facilities. Mr. Speaker, I will seek follow-up again and reassurance from the SHA that there have been recommendations made and that they are being followed up upon and that they are being implemented, not just in this particular case, but as a result of this case to strengthen the health care system to again prevent such a situation from ever occurring. Thanks, Mr. Speaker.

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

Ms. A. Young: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Gwen is a constituent of mine. And she’s here with her friends, and she’s also held up by her family in the community of Langenburg who stand behind her. And she’s been tireless in her pursuit of truth and answers about what happened to her daughter Andrea.

When we met with the last minister of Health in May, he undertook to provide answers in 30 days’ time. It was a good meeting. It was a sincere meeting. I believe that. I have followed up regularly and respectfully on behalf of the family. And when the new Minister of Health was appointed I reached out to him, and he was included on all of the original correspondence as the former minister of Rural and Remote Health.

So I’ll ask the minister today, did he keep his promise to visit the Yorkton hospital and did he investigate?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As I indicated previously, the former minister of Health, the now Minister of Corrections and Policing met with the family — I believe in May was the date, Mr. Speaker — and then did tour and visit the Yorkton hospital, I believe, and again as I said earlier, met with leadership and officials at that point in time to speak specifically about this case, Mr. Speaker. And again, I will be having a meeting tomorrow with Ms. Gilbert and the family to have further conversations.

It’s also my understanding, Mr. Speaker, that the previous minister did have a letter sent to the family, I believe, in late June, Mr. Speaker, around some of the questions that would have been answered. But again, we will meet with the family tomorrow and have further discussions about other answers that they would be seeking, Mr. Speaker.

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

Ms. A. Young: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. The minister is right. We did receive a response after a number of follow-ups, and we did receive a meeting for the last day of session, again after months of follow-up, just like what happened in the spring.

Mr. Speaker, Gwen and her family have done everything that normal people could be expected to do. They’ve gone to the director at the local hospital, the patient advocate, quality care of coordinator, the registrar, the college. They have gone above and beyond what any normal person should be expected to do seeking answers and justice.

The state of health care in Saskatchewan is leading to tragedies. So again, Mr. Speaker, this family is looking for action. Will the minister commit to getting to the bottom of what happened to Andrea and ensuring that nothing like this happens again? Because it has been months of patient, non-partisan, respectful advocacy.

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Health.

Hon. Mr. Hindley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And as I said previously, we will meet with the family tomorrow. Again, I understand that there was a letter sent by the former minister in late June identifying responses to a number of questions. That being said, Mr. Speaker, I’d be willing to sit down, when I do tomorrow with the family, to have further discussions about unanswered questions that they may have, Mr. Speaker. Some of those may be required to be, the answers may be required to be provided by the SHA, by the regulatory bodies, perhaps involving the self-regulating professions when it comes to standards of care.

As I said previously, the SHA and our health system has a process in place for critical incidents and how those are investigated, and recommendations are made and are followed up upon. And we will then have that discussion with the SHA about progress being made thus far, Mr. Speaker.

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

Funding for Arts Organizations

Mr. Teed: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. This tired and out-of-touch government is failing on health care and they are failing when it comes to creating a strong and diversified economy. We are joined today by folks who work in the arts and culture sector in Saskatchewan. They’ve seen first-hand the damage this government’s choices have done to jobs and economy.

Mr. Speaker, the arts and culture sector is in crisis, and they have raised these concerns with the minister. They have pleaded to the minister for action and feel like these concerns are not being heard. What does the minister have to say to folks in this industry who are feeling unheard by this government?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.

Hon. Ms. L. Ross: — Well thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Now our government recognizes how important the arts and creative industry is to Saskatchewan. And in 2023‑24 our government invested nearly 30 million into funding arts, culture, heritage organizations across Saskatchewan, including 12 million for Creative Saskatchewan; 165,000 increase to 6.8 million to SK Arts; 105,000 increasing to 4.3 million for the Western Development Museum; 681,000 increase to the 3.9 million for the Royal Saskatchewan Museum; 16,000 which creates 645,000 for Wascana heritage.

So, Mr. Speaker, we have committed to the arts community. For example . . .

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

Mr. Teed: — Mr. Speaker, the investments made in the last budget have barely made a dent in the funding issue. Many arts organizations are on the brink of closure.

One of the people joining us today is Em Ironstar. She leads the Saskatchewan Arts Alliance. In a letter to the minister sent in November, she makes it crystal clear that this sector is in crisis and that more support is needed for this critical part of our economy. Here’s a quote from that letter:

SK Arts-funded organizations receive 5.4 million in provincial funding while generating 74 million in economic output. For every $1 invested by the provincial government, SK Arts-funded organizations generated $13.70 in economic output.

$13.70 in return for every dollar invested sounds like a good return on investment to me. Instead of flatlining supports for this important sector, why won’t the Saskatchewan Party Government invest to help grow and diversify our economy?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.

Hon. Ms. L. Ross: — Well I’d like to thank the member opposite for the question because I have met with Em, who represented Saskatchewan Arts Alliance. Then I also met with the Globe Theatre, the Regina Symphony, the Sask Arts Alliance, Saskatoon Symphony, the MacKenzie Art Gallery, the Saskatchewan Media Production Industry Association, local filmmakers, Creative Saskatchewan, Sask Arts.

I want to thank each and every one of these organizations for the important role they play in creating a strong cultural fabric in Saskatchewan and, Mr. Speaker, I champion all of these organizations. We work hard together to ensure that we can find and support funding for them.

But, Mr. Speaker, it’s an opportunity that each and every one of us get to enjoy these wonderful artists within our community, because you know, Mr. Speaker, they make Saskatchewan stronger. They make the reason why people want to move here.

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

Mr. Teed: — Mr. Speaker, I’m glad that the minister is meeting with these organizations. I have too, and they are telling me that they are in crisis. This government isn’t supporting the arts sector as part of a strong and diversified economy. In fact they’re actively making it worse.

It was this tired and out-of-touch government that expanded the PST [provincial sales tax] to live ticket sales that’s having a devastating impact on live events. Again in her letter she notes that arts organizations are challenged by “. . . difficulties in developing new audiences due to the rising cost of living, inflation, and PST expansion on ticket sales.”

Does the minister recognize that the PST expansion has had a negative impact on the arts and culture sector? And will she work with these folks to help undo that damage?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport.

Hon. Ms. L. Ross: — Well thank you very much to the member opposite. And I’m glad he’s had the opportunity to meet with these organizations because, as they have probably shared with him, my door is always open to them. And we do sit down and we work through how we can best support the organizations.

Last year in our budget, we ensured that there was an increased base funding to arts, culture, and heritage by 2.5 per cent. We are not ignoring this sector of our province. And for the members opposite to indicate that, it’s very unsettling because, you know, we have made a very significant investment into the arts community.

A good example is the 12 million we have invested in Creative Saskatchewan. And I have an absolutely incredible opportunity to go out onto different sites to visit all our incredible filmmakers.

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

Release of Information Concerning Emergency Hotel Stays

Ms. Conway: — Let’s get that minister up to speed. It’s not us that’s saying this. They have literally come to their Legislative Assembly to say that they don’t have adequate support from this government.

Mr. Speaker, they won’t answer questions about health care, they don’t want to engage with us on the economy, and they won’t answer questions about their members’ private dealings with government.

We’ve called on the minister for answers about the prices they pay for rooms at the Sunrise Motel. He dragged his feet. We asked for a copy of his ministry’s policy on hotel room use. He won’t provide it.

Is the minister seriously not going to provide one additional shred of context before the end of this fall sitting? Does this minister respect the basic principles of transparency, or is he running out the clock so he doesn’t have to answer to the public about how he’s spending public dollars?

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

Hon. Mr. Makowsky: — Mr. Speaker, as I’ve said many times in this House, hotels are occasionally used in emergency situations, same as the policy was when the NDP [New Democratic Party] was in government, Mr. Speaker. So what I’ve committed to do is to have the ministry look at this policy as to how hotel rooms are procured, how we book those hotels, and whatever it may be, Mr. Speaker.

In addition to that, the Provincial Auditor has indicated that her office is going to look at that very thing as well, Mr. Speaker. So I’ve committed to coming up with the information. As soon as it’s available, I will be releasing that into the public. Thank you.

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

Ms. Conway: — Mr. Speaker, if they can look at that policy, it must exist.

Mr. Speaker, they won’t lift a finger themselves. No initiative to get answers on an urgent basis. They’ll just wait for the Provincial Auditor to get people their answers, and we look forward to her report. But she won’t be able to provide one until December of next year. That’s too long, and the minister knows that’s too long.

In Brad Wall’s day, he called for a special auditor’s report into the GTH [Global Transportation Hub] scandal because he knew people deserved answers without delay. He said it, not me.

Will this tired and out-of-touch government call for a special investigation into the specifics of the Sunrise Motel and hotel expenditures generally so people can go to the polls with the answers that they deserve?

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

Hon. Mr. Makowsky: — Again hotels are used in emergency situations, Mr. Speaker. That has been done for many years. And how that’s reported out has been the same case in Public Accounts for many, many years, Mr. Speaker.

I have committed in this House several times that we will get that information that the member opposite is looking for as soon as we have all that information encapsulated, Mr. Speaker. And it does take some time, Mr. Speaker. That member knows that. There’s a lot of information, you know, over a long amount of time, Mr. Speaker. Some usage there, Mr. Speaker, that has taken five years is what . . . or looking back five years is what the member wanted, Mr. Speaker. And so that is in fact current as we speak, Mr. Speaker.

There’s different programs within the ministry. The Ministry of Social Services is a rather large ministry with many different programs happening, Mr. Speaker. There’s also some legacy systems as well that do take additional time. As soon as we have that information, we’ll release it.

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

Ms. Conway: — Mr. Speaker, these questions are about calling a special investigation because December 2024, that’s far, far away. In fact there’s a provincial election between now and then. Mr. Speaker, I understand that this government doesn’t want a scathing report into their mismanagement entering into the voters’ minds.

Is the Sask Party government going to prove they have nothing to hide and order the special auditor’s report? Or will they bury this scandal until after the election?

[14:15]

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

Hon. Mr. Makowsky: — Mr. Speaker, I can’t speak on behalf of the auditor and her timeline and her process and all the files that they may look at, Mr. Speaker. What I’ve committed to in this House several times is that we will compile that information. It does take some time. It’s being worked on immediately, Mr. Speaker. And as soon as that information is available, that will be released. Thank you.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Nutana.

Release Date for Annual Reports of Crown Corporations

Ms. Ritchie: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Earlier this week we learned that math scores in Saskatchewan are declining. And we saw from that Minister of CIC [Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan] yesterday that when it comes to tabling of annual reports, he said that it took less than 90 days to table annual reports after the end of their fiscal year.

But his math was wrong. We know the legal deadline to release the annual reports for the CIC subsidiaries was July 14th. We know that they were released two weeks after that as quietly as possible during the by-elections, in the dog days of summer on a Friday afternoon. No media release, no technical briefings. It couldn’t be more obvious. Those reports revealed a loss of $354 million.

Will the minister finally admit that this government broke the law for their own political purpose?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Crown Investments Corporation.

Hon. Mr. Duncan: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I misspoke yesterday: 120 days, not 90 days, as provided by the legislation, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the final versions of the annual reports were provided to the minister’s office on July 24th, and therefore were tabled within the two weeks after, as required under the Act to be tabled two weeks after delivery. We’ll ensure that the end reports are delivered on time, Mr. Speaker, and in a timely fashion and tabled appropriately, Mr. Speaker.

So the member is correct. I did, on my feet in the Assembly, I got my math incorrect.

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Nutana.

Ms. Ritchie: — Well, I thank the minister for that answer. So yes, you know, we also know the CIC had until July 27th to table their own annual report. But then they only broke the law on that report by one day, but the subsidiaries had until July 14th.

Five of them went two full weeks past the deadline. We don’t blame the Crown employees. We know that they were ready to go with those reports on time. It’s the minister’s office that purposefully delayed them. Does he acknowledge that, or would he like to double-check The Crown Corporations Act one more time?

The Speaker: — I recognize the Minister of Crown Investments Corporation.

Hon. Mr. Duncan: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think the member will know that attempts were made by the minister’s office to see if the Crown Corporations could prepare their annual reports for tabling prior to the end of May, Mr. Speaker . . . or sorry, prior to the end of June. That was not possible, Mr. Speaker. That was clearly outlined in correspondence between the minister’s office and the Crowns, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, as I said before, the final versions were provided on July 24th to the minister’s office. They were tabled the following week, Mr. Speaker. They were posted online for everyone to see. Mr. Speaker, five copies were hand delivered of each Crown corporation report to the members of the opposition.

I’m not sure what the member is suggesting in terms of the government, something that we would have to gain by moving the release of the annual reports closer to the by-election, if for some reason we were trying to hide them, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, attempts were made to table them in a timely fashion.

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

Overdose Deaths and Treatment for Addictions

Mr. Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, new numbers posted today on the Saskatchewan coroner’s website show how out of control the overdose crisis in our province is. Four hundred and thirty-seven people have lost their lives this year. That’s a new record, and there’s still one month to go.

Everyone in Saskatchewan knows someone who has been impacted by this crisis wreaking havoc in our communities large and small. Four hundred thirty-seven Saskatchewan people — children, mothers, fathers, aunties, and uncles. Every one of them was a Saskatchewan person lost too soon.

When will we see a real plan from this government to address the overdose crisis and stop the harm in our communities?

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

Hon. Mr. T. McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Certainly our government recognizes and acknowledges that the toxic drug supply in this province is a grave concern, and our hearts go out to the families who have lost a loved one. As the member indicated, we all know someone who has been touched by an overdose.

Mr. Speaker, that is precisely why our government is focusing our attention on the recovery of individuals and the treatment of individuals so that they can overcome their addictions and lead healthy lives in recovery. To that end, Mr. Speaker, we are making record investments in mental health and addictions.

We’ve unveiled a five-year mental health and addictions action plan that is doubling the number of addictions treatment spaces, making it easier for individuals to access those spaces, and again, Mr. Speaker, focusing on a recovery-oriented system of care to help those individuals overcome their addiction and lead healthy lives in recovery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

The Speaker: — I am advised that Her Honour the Administrator is here for Royal Assent. All please rise.

[At 14:23 Her Honour the Administrator entered the Chamber and took her seat upon the Throne. Her Honour then gave Royal Assent to the following bills.]

ROYAL ASSENT

Her Honour: — Pray be seated.

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

Clerk: — Your Honour, the bill is as follows:

Bill No. 151 — The SaskEnergy (Carbon Tax Fairness for Families) Amendment Act, 2023

Her Honour: — In His Majesty’s name, I assent to this bill.

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

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

Bill No. 155 — The Appropriation Act, 2023 (No. 2)

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

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

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

[At 14:25 Her Honour retired from the Chamber.]

The Speaker: — Please be seated.

ORDERS OF THE DAY

GOVERNMENT ORDERS

ADJOURNED DEBATES

SECOND READINGS

Bill No. 143

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Mr. Cockrill that Bill No. 143 — The Child Care Amendment Act, 2023/Loi modificative de 2023 sur les garderies d’enfants be now read a second time.]

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

Ms. Conway: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s an honour to enter into debate on Bill No. 143, The Child Care Amendment Act, 2023.

I understand that this bill makes some changes to The Child Care Act. It stipulates that centres must have a board of directors, parental advisory committees made up of parents with kids enrolled there. Non-profits can operate more than one facility at a time.

If a centre loses its licence, Mr. Speaker, it can’t reapply for one year. Centres must pay fees should they lose their licence, do training, correct all deficiencies, and meet any requirements stipulated to get a new licence. The minister can refuse a licence “in the public interest.”

The minister sets the minimum wage and wage enhancements. Centres can’t set higher fees for grant parents than non-grant parents. And the minister can make grants to licensees and parents.

Mr. Speaker, you know, we have many concerns in this government’s lack of action on the child care agreement that was signed with the federal government about two years ago. They were very quick to announce $10‑a-day daycare, one of the first in fact. But they have done nothing to expand access to child care, which has left this really something of a pyrrhic victory for many families, Mr. Speaker. Many families are left without licensed child care. They’re having to pay more than the $10‑a-day child care out of pocket. They’re languishing on wait-lists, and I hear from parents every week about the lack of accessible child care, Mr. Speaker.

I’m hearing particularly and with more frequency and at a louder and louder volume, Mr. Speaker, from parents who are parents to children with complex needs. It seems that there aren’t a lot of good news stories here in terms of expanding access, but those situated in the very worst position, Mr. Speaker, are parents trying to support children with complex needs.

There is a grant program in place that actually serves as a disincentive to centres to take on children with complex needs. So what many families are feeling is that actually there’s not any incentive in place for centres to take on their children because of course that comes with more challenges.

So not only do we not have a level playing field, Mr. Speaker, not only do we not have incentives to take on children with complex needs — which is probably a good idea, given that we know that there are more resources required, more complex challenges in place — we actually have a system now that’s been created in child care where there’s a disincentive for centres to take on children with complex needs.

And it’s been absolutely heartbreaking to hear from these parents who are already juggling so much, who are already dealing with wait-lists in the health care system in terms of access to speech support, to physio, to rehabilitation through the Wascana Rehab, Mr. Speaker, and then to on top of that not be able to, for example, return to the workforce, not be able to find an affordable child care option.

[14:30]

They’re carrying a large burden, Mr. Speaker. And we as legislators should be doing everything we can, not only to give those children a good start in life — arguably these are the children who have the most to gain from intervention, from early learning, from child care — but also lighten the load of the parents that are struggling to deal with this without sufficient supports.

We’ve seen this government make atrocious headway on the spaces that they promised. You know, this is a government that has promised 28,000 new spaces by 2026. We are nowhere near that target, Mr. Speaker. We have failed to meet every annual target that’s been put in place — not just by a little bit, significantly. I think that this government has created just over 5,000 spaces, but only about 2,000 of those spaces are up and running for reasons like they can’t staff them, Mr. Speaker.

So again they were quick to announce this $10‑a-day daycare, but it’s only been made available to the families and the parents that were lucky enough to already have licensed child care. They have taken insufficient steps to expand the accessibility, expand spaces. Even had this announcement not been made, Mr. Speaker, we know that the demand far outweighs the supply. We know from a recent report of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives that 92 per cent of Saskatchewan consists of child care deserts. And I believe they define child care deserts by either three or four child care-aged children for every existing spot.

But in addition to that, Mr. Speaker, this announcement of $10‑a-day daycare, it only increased that demand. Of course parents who are struggling during a generational cost-of-living crisis want to access that $10‑a-day daycare. It makes such a difference for the pocketbooks of families, Mr. Speaker. But again, this is a pyrrhic victory for the Sask Party government because with that announcement we did not see a parallel attempt to expand the accessibility of these spaces, Mr. Speaker.

I want to speak for a moment about what this Act doesn’t do. This Act doesn’t address the crisis in recruiting and retaining staff in this sector. We know that, like many sectors — many caring sectors that are overrepresented by women and do caring work that has historically not been valued in our society — that wages are far too low, that the work doesn’t get the respect that it deserves. And I can tell you as a parent of a two-year-old and a four-year-old, this is hard work. This work matters absolutely, Mr. Speaker.

And one of the challenges that we’ve seen in this sector is that this government has not acted quickly to recruit staff and to retain them. And part of that process has to be a meaningful consultation process, not just SECA [Saskatchewan Early Childhood Association]. SECA does excellent work. I’ve met with members of SECA. I admire the work they do, but they are not the only stakeholder here. And we’ve heard from folks that have come to their legislature and said, when I spoke to ministry officials and tried to give them my feedback — these are directors of centres in rural Saskatchewan — they were told, well don’t tell us. Go through SECA, and then SECA can report to the minister.

That is not the way that meaningful consultation should work, Mr. Speaker. That is not the way to move forward in good faith with solutions to this very critical sector, Mr. Speaker.

I understand that one of the things that the province is supposed to provide to the federal government as part of this bilateral agreement is an action plan, and they’re late in providing that action plan. They’re late in providing a wage grid. They’re late in providing a plan for this sector.

And I know there’s a certain extent of building the plane while you’re flying it, because this opportunity arose . . . You know, we on this side, we were very concerned that this Sask Party government wasn’t going to seize on this opportunity. We know that the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, a leader that many of the members on those side have supported openly and voted for, has said that if he becomes prime minister, he will scrap this bilateral agreement. He will scrap universal $10‑a-day child care. So, Mr. Speaker, we had doubts from the beginning that they were really all in for this, all in for creating a universal child care sector.

And unfortunately their actions are not assuaging our doubts and concerns. Because again, that $10‑a-day daycare, that was a great headline. But there hasn’t been the commensurate work that needs to be done to expand access, to meet the challenges in the sector, to ensure that every child has access to $10‑a-day licensed child care should their family want it.

And I hear from parents every day — maybe not every day, but probably weekly, Mr. Speaker — who are concerned about the lack of accessibility. I’ve heard from nurses who can’t go back to work. You know, we have a shortage of health care workers. Some of them are staying home with children because they’re on long wait-lists or they have children with complex needs who no one wants to take into their centre. And we know that Hope’s Home has a wait-list of over 1,000. I’ve heard from parents who call Hope’s Home asking about availability and they get a laugh, like a chuckle, because it’s just so out of reach, Mr. Speaker.

So we’d like to see more from this government on the child care file. We’re to date very disappointed at the lack of action and we hope that this new Minister of Education engages with the sector in a meaningful way, addresses those challenges in the workforce, addresses those challenges of expanding $10-a-day care to all families, not just some families, Mr. Speaker.

So with that I would move to adjourn debate on Bill 143, The Child Care Amendment Act, 2023.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried.

Bill No. 148

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Ms. Eyre that Bill No. 148 — The Film Content Information Act be now read a second time.]

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Rosemont.

Mr. Wotherspoon: — Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure to weigh into Bill No. 148, The Film Content Information Act here today. I’ll be fairly brief here today, Mr. Speaker, because our critic will lead our entry on this front.

Mr. Speaker, I see a few different changes here that bring about some different classification, Mr. Speaker, to make sure the public or a consumer is informed with respect to the content, Mr. Speaker. I suspect that’s reasonable. I don’t know how that works on digital platforms or the internet and these other things, Mr. Speaker.

I guess I’d say though with respect to the film industry, Mr. Speaker, this is a government that just really squandered an incredible opportunity and a real good thing here in Saskatchewan when they deliberately gutted the film industry in Saskatchewan, costing us thousands of jobs, millions of dollars of investment, Mr. Speaker, causing so many creative leaders and entrepreneurs to leave Saskatchewan.

I see members heckling a little from the back there, Mr. Speaker. And some of this predates those members, Mr. Speaker, when that Sask Party government chose to do in a sector in this province and to gut the film industry, Mr. Speaker, chose for this economy to be less and not more, less diversified, to send jobs and investment packing. And you see what’s been lost over the last number of years.

Now we know the Sask Party government themselves have a real awful economic record, Mr. Speaker. You look at the last five years: second-last in Canada, Mr. Speaker. We know Saskatchewan people and the entrepreneurs and the hard-working people of this province deserve so much better than that. And you know, it makes sense, Mr. Speaker, when you see deliberate choices like that government to gut an industry, Mr. Speaker, to say no, that investment, it’s not welcome in Saskatchewan. Take it to Alberta; take it to Manitoba.

What an awful approach to economic development, Mr. Speaker, a choice that sent workers and families from our province to BC [British Columbia] and Alberta and Ontario and Manitoba, Mr. Speaker, displacing those families and losing this province not only their contributions but of course the economic strength that they provided as well, Mr. Speaker.

So when it comes to film, Mr. Speaker, we don’t take a whole lot, you know . . . we don’t have a whole lot of faith in this government, Mr. Speaker. It was a real squandered opportunity, Mr. Speaker. We should be building this creative industry, not gutting it.

I see the minister opposite saying, well now there’s some new measures in place here, Mr. Speaker. After a decade of gutting and chasing away that investment and those jobs and those families, Mr. Speaker, I’m glad to see some recognition that we’re going to build this industry. This is an industry though, Mr. Speaker, that — let me be clear — this official opposition, if ever given the chance to serve as a government, would work to make thrive and grow and contribute along with so many other sectors in this province, Mr. Speaker.

And you know, as for the content here, I guess the Sask Party’s focused on, you know, family content and clarification and whether something’s PG [parental guidance] or G [general] or adult, Mr. Speaker. But you know, we see some inconsistencies these days with well certainly one member opposite from that side, Mr. Speaker, as far as behaviour that’s, you know, family friendly, Mr. Speaker, and beyond a concern with respect to very serious matters in our community. He can’t hold up legislation on one side and say, hey, we’re the family-friendly choice here in Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker, and then have, you know, a member like that from Cut Knife-Turtleford behaving in the ways that we’ve seen.

So with that being said, we want to build the film industry in this province, Mr. Speaker. I think the measures in this bill seem reasonable, but certainly our critic will lead that discussion, Mr. Speaker. And at this point I’ll adjourn debate on Bill No. 148.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried.

Bill No. 149

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Ms. Eyre that Bill No. 149 — The Franchise Disclosure Act be now read a second time.]

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

Ms. Nippi-Albright: — miigwech, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to be on my feet to enter my brief remarks on Bill No. 149, The Franchise Disclosure Act. My understanding of this bill is that it establishes the obligation of the franchisor to disclose information to a prospective franchisee. And that means presenting material facts, financial statements, additional prescribed information and documents, and also written statements of any material changes concerning the franchise.

It also applies to franchises operating wholly or partly in Saskatchewan. That’s very important. In this Act, the franchisee may rescind agreement without penalty within 60 days if the franchisor doesn’t honour the requirements. And also the franchisees have the right to associate with other franchisees and may form or join other organizations of franchisees. And this Act also establishes the legal actions a franchisee can take against liabilities and damages alongside its restrictions.

So it’s important that we protect the franchisee in the province and the business creation. But what is interesting is that . . . What I’m curious about is whether this Act is substantial in protecting franchisees from “hard-to-detect” undisclosed irregularity in a franchise. So I’m curious about that. What does that look like? You know, and how does one know to look at, how does one uncover these irregularities?

Another thing is, are the options to rescind a franchise agreement sufficient in protecting the franchisee? So is this Act going to actually protect the folks that this bill is being created for? And another area that is of interest is to which degree which franchisees can associate with, like business collaboration. Is that an opportunity for the franchisee to have some business collaboration?

[14:45]

So another piece of interest is, is there any subsequent actions a party can impose on another party which breaches the duty of fair dealing? So those are questions I guess the critic that is leading this file here, those are questions I’m sure that they will ask more questions on this.

I guess always on top of mind for me when bills are being created is who is consulted when these are created. Which stakeholders are consulted? And how diverse is that consultation process in terms of the stakeholders?

So I’m sure my other colleagues, if they’ve not spoken to it, will probably speak to this bill some more, or the critic will ask more questions regarding Bill 149. So with that I move to adjourn debate on Bill 149, The Franchise Disclosure Act. miigwech.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried.

Bill No. 150

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Ms. Eyre that Bill No. 150 — The Securities (Saskatchewan Investors Protection) Amendment Act, 2023 be now read a second time.]

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

Ms. Nippi-Albright: — miigwech, Mr. Speaker. I’m pleased to be on my feet again speaking on this bill, Bill 150, The Securities (Saskatchewan Investors Protection) Amendment Act, 2023.

So my understanding of this bill, kind of the summary of this bill is the Saskatchewan Securities Commission can designate independent dispute resolution services. Well I guess the IDRS [independent dispute resolution service] sets its own standards, the independent dispute resolution services. So the IDRS can order a registrant to change, conduct their practices, explain reasons for actions. They can ask them to or order them to pay the fees or forgive debts or waive contracts, meet insurance claims, compensate the complainants.

It also gives the IDRS the authority to correct information or the credit ratings, and also not to repeat the privacy-violating conduct. So that’s also . . . the IDRS can order that. So just back to this not repeat privacy-violating conduct. Its order is enforceable by the King’s Bench. All orders are final. The IDRS is subject to confidentiality only when on SSC [Saskatchewan Securities Commission] business. And this also, this bill, I guess it changes from . . . the maximum administration penalty increases from $100,000 to 1 million.

You know, Mr. Speaker, when I think about this, I think it’s important to create these penalties to . . . that when people are violating such legislation. So here it’s good that there’s this maximum penalty that has increased and is also matching other provinces. And in many ways our own province lags behind in many, many areas, and it’s good to see that they’re finally stepping up to match other provinces in the penalties that are given.

And here the mention of “in public interest” is so broad that it’s almost become a catchphrase of “in the public interest.” And often, and we’ve seen this here where legislation has been created under the guise of “in public interest,” yet this government has demonstrated over and over again it’s in the government’s interest, not in the general public’s interest as we’ve seen how . . . when we were called back into session for an emergency debate. You know, that costs a lot of money under the guise of public interest.

So that phrase “in the public interest” is something that has become, in my words, like I would call it a plastic term, you know, a plastic term just like “partnerships.” Everyone talks about partnerships, but it’s used in the way that the individual wants it used, and it’s not necessarily what it’s meant to be. So with this “it’s in the public interest” is so broad and yet is so meaningless.

And we also, the official opposition welcomes greater oversight and decentralization from the minister’s office. That’s important, you know, to decentralize the power and to ensure that the users and those that are going to be impacted by legislation that we present, that they have a say, that they have input. And it’s important. As a former community developer I always believe it’s the grassroots people that have that power and that we have to respect that.

So an oversight body should have the means to enforce. So I guess the question is, will there be an oversight body and how will they have the ability really to enforce it? So there’s lots of questions here, you know, because it is vague. Oversight is very vague. So what does that mean?

And also there isn’t anything in here that talks about an appeal process, and that’s . . . that appeals process. That’s concerning. Like there’s no, no . . . oversight is so vague and that . . . [inaudible] . . . there’s no appeal processes, and we’re concerned about the accountability. When that doesn’t happen, you know, things happen that are not in the best interest of the people we serve.

So we’ll probably be doing more consulting with stakeholders, those that are going to be impacted by this, and I look forward to my colleagues weighing in more on this bill that’s being presented to us to debate on. So with that, Mr. Speaker, I move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 150. miigwech.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried.

Bill No. 152

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Ms. Eyre that Bill No. 152 — The Protection From Human Trafficking (Coerced Debts) Amendment Act, 2023 be now read a second time.]

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

Mr. Clarke: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a privilege to be joining the debate around Bill No. 152, The Protection From Human Trafficking (Coerced Debts) Amendment Act, 2023. Mr. Speaker, this Act looks at the court being able to return money and property obtained as coerced debt around human trafficking. And I think this is an important . . . important to recognize on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women about how important addressing human trafficking really is.

Police across this country are telling us that human trafficking is increasing across Canada and is referred to as modern-day slavery. These are vulnerable people who we know are being singled out by traffickers, often being promised, you know, a better life if they become involved in the sex trade or other trafficking activities.

And so, you know, there’s a lot here that could be done to address this. And you know, the Act is a positive step certainly. It’s good to protect victims financially and as well as physically and emotionally. But you know, this bill doesn’t cost the government anything. And so there’s a lot more that we could be doing to protect vulnerable people, youth, from human trafficking. And I’ve got to touch on one thing here, Mr. Speaker, because you know, we are talking about vulnerable people and we’re talking about young people; potentially we’re talking about people who can be groomed into human trafficking.

This is a government here that has cut third-party organizations from going into schools and providing education about consent. This is information to students, young people, about what is and what is not a healthy relationship. And so these are partnerships between school divisions and these organizations that were long standing. They came in, did great work in schools for Saskatchewan kids, and this government cut them out. And students are left now without those opportunities, without that education.

And we know that education is one of the most powerful ways to affect human trafficking. If kids know what are the signs of an unhealthy relationship, if kids know, you know, how to protect themselves, then they’ll be able to see the signs. They’ll be able to see the signs in their friends or in their own relationships or in other people in their life.

So we applaud the move here to protect victims. There’s questions, I think, about the ability for people who can’t access or afford a lawyer, how they’ll be able to benefit from what’s in this Act. But we certainly are pleased to see more talk and conversation about human trafficking in this province, good to see some of this movement here. But I think the big message is that we need to do more to protect vulnerable people in this province, Mr. Speaker.

I know our critic is going to be eager to ask some questions and be working with more stakeholders in the province to better understand this legislation and more that we can do. So with that, Mr. Speaker, I will move to adjourn debate on Bill 152.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried.

Bill No. 153

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Mr. McMorris that Bill No. 153 — The Miscellaneous Municipal Statutes Amendment Act, 2023 be now read a second time.]

The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina Rosemont.

Mr. Wotherspoon: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll enter in briefly here today with respect to Bill No. 153, The Miscellaneous Municipal Statutes Amendment Act, 2023. There’s various changes in this legislation, Mr. Speaker.

The biggest thing we want to do is make sure that this is in the interests of the municipal sector across the province, ultimately property tax payers and people and families and residents and businesses and farms across Saskatchewan, Mr. Speaker, and how they relate to their municipalities, whether they be rural or urban, Mr. Speaker, in our rural municipalities and our towns and villages and cities, Mr. Speaker.

I know our critic will continue to have dialogue with municipal partners and with communities, rural and urban, across Saskatchewan on this piece of legislation and on so many other fronts, Mr. Speaker, where the municipal sector has been advocating for some important change within this province on various fronts, and where, as an official opposition we work, Mr. Speaker, to listen to those concerns and to bring forward solutions and call for action to improve this province, Mr. Speaker, and from rural municipalities to those towns and villages in rural communities, Mr. Speaker, through to our cities, small and large, Mr. Speaker.

I’ll leave the entries and the questions to the critic on this front. I would encourage and invite anyone throughout the municipal sector who understands this legislation, that has expertise, that are direct stakeholders, to share their perspective with our critic, Mr. Speaker.

We’ll always work to make sure that we’re improving legislation. We’ll always work to identify concerns within the legislation, make sure that we, you know, understand the intended consequences of government, Mr. Speaker, but that we also listen to the stakeholders and those on the ground, Mr. Speaker, to understand if there’s any unintended consequences that should be addressed. And of course if that’s the situation, we’ll work to improve that legislation, Mr. Speaker.

At this point in time, I will move to adjourn debate on Bill No. 153, The Miscellaneous Municipal Statutes Amendment Act, 2023.

[15:00]

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried.

Bill No. 154

[The Assembly resumed the adjourned debate on the proposed motion by the Hon. Ms. Tell that Bill No. 154 — The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Amendment Act, 2023 be now read a second time.]

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

Mr. Love: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As has been tradition here the last number of days, I’ll speak to the last piece of legislation on the order paper today. And has been tradition on each of those days, I will say at the beginning of my remarks that I’ll be brief and then I will proceed with not being brief at all. Just kidding. I think I’ll be pretty brief today.

Bill No. 154, The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Amendment Act of 2023. I think really there are still a number of questions before this Assembly and before the public as far as the amendments in this legislation, in particular, top of mind, questions with the legality of this. So we’re going to continue consulting with experts in the legal community and in the energy sector with these changes.

One of the things that struck me a little bit about the government’s plan here is that I understand that some of these funds being collected are going to be put towards development of SMRs [small modular reactor] in Saskatchewan. And I think that that’s somewhat news to us. We didn’t know that that was a full commitment. We’ve looked at the timeline and we’ve been very clear on our side that we’re . . . I would describe us as open-minded and supportive of engaging in this new technology. Certainly our interest is in providing folks in Saskatchewan with safe, reliable, and affordable energy production, but this seems to be like a new commitment that we’ve yet to see from this government.

I did have the opportunity to listen to and go back and review the minister’s remarks at second reading, and there was one thing in particular that caught my attention, and that was the statement from the Minister of Environment: “The Government of Saskatchewan is committed to ongoing transparency and accountability through the provincial budget, quarterly reports, and public accounts.” She goes on from there.

You know, I’d say that from what we heard in question period the last couple of days in terms of breaking their own legislation, to delivering reports from CIC beyond the date allowed under the legislation, certainly raises a lot of questions I think. People should be . . . I know that sometimes there’s a little bit of laughter from members opposite when we ask these questions, but this is serious stuff. You know, when this government appears to have delayed the release of that information during a crucial time in our political climate in Saskatchewan, at the by-elections, certainly raises a lot of questions in here and out there, Mr. Speaker.

I will give the minister credit today for correcting his math. It’s something that we don’t often see in this Assembly, just that, real moments of blunt honesty. I commend the minister for that. I know that there’s a little bit of laughing back and forth on who’s able to count to 90, but we corrected that today and that was good to see. A rare moment in the Assembly, but it was good to see.

I think the public still has lots of questions about the delay of that, which again to the minister’s comments at second reading of this bill, I think that it’s something that folks in Saskatchewan will continue to pay attention to and we sure will as well in opposition. I know that our critic will have more to say and will continue to listen to questions and concerns and comments on this legislation. But at this time, Mr. Speaker, I will move that we adjourn debate on Bill 154, The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Amendment Act. Thank you.

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

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried. I recognize the Government House Leader.

Hon. Mr. J. Harrison: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In order to facilitate the work of committee this afternoon, I move that this House do now adjourn.

The Speaker: — The Government House Leader has moved to adjourn the House. Is it the pleasure of the Assembly to adopt the motion?

Some Hon. Members: — Agreed.

The Speaker: — Carried. This House now stands adjourned until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.

[The Assembly adjourned at 15:05.]

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