A screenshot of Sask. Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson during question period yesterday. (Screenshot/Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan)

By Susan McNeil

Nadine Wilson

Premier suggests Wilson should resign Sask. Rivers seat

Apr 29, 2022 | 1:00 PM

Premier Scott Moe has suggested that MLA Nadine Wilson should resign her Saskatchewan Rivers constituency seat.

Moe made the comments yesterday in response to questions by Wilson regarding security in the Legislature.

“Is the member from Saskatchewan Rivers going to give her constituents the opportunity to have a voice to have who they want to represent them in this assembly,” Moe asked.

Moe said that other MLA offices are hearing from Wilson’s constituents that they want the chance to vote again following the departure of Wilson from the Saskatchewan Party.

“What I do know Mr. Speaker, is that there are a number of constituents in the constituency of Sask Rivers that would like the opportunity to vote in a by-election, either for that member or one of the members of the other party,” he said during question period.

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Moe suggested that Wilson should do what Buckley Belanger did in the Athabasca riding in 1998 when he switched parties by resigning and running again under his new party’s banner.

Belanger won his seat again with almost 94 per cent of the vote but following his second resignation to run for the federal Liberal Party in 2021, the tide turned, and the Saskatchewan Party now holds the seat for the first time.

Wilson asked several times about Bill 70, which would remove responsibility for the security of the Legislature from the Sergeant-at-Arms and create a new security force answerable to the Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety.

The Sergeant-At-Arms would still be responsible for the safety of the legislative chamber.

“It appears Bill 70 protects the state more than the citizens,” Wilson said.

On her website, Wilson said that the government has not provided an adequate explanation about why the changes are being made.

“Apparently there were some threats, but none of us know about these threats. Everyone I’ve talked to, nothing has been disclosed to us,” reads her statement on Bill 70.

“So that’s another red flag. Why all of a sudden with these sheriffs? There used to be a separation of state protecting the integrity and the sanctity of this fine institution, of this building,” she said.

Wilson also asked during question period if surveillance has been done within the Legislature.

“Have any government members employees or caucus staff ever employed mobile devices in government offices, offices of elected officials or the legislative assembly office or other devices to conduct surveillance?” she asked.

There was an incident in 2002 involving a hidden camera that recorded a staff person taking money from the purse of then-MLA Bakken Lackey.

Moe said that the camera in question was placed by the MLA herself in her own office.

Wilson was a member of the Saskatchewan Party until 2021 when she resigned after questions regarding how she misrepresented her COVID-19 vaccine status and currently sits as an independent.

paNOW has reached put to Wilson for comment but did not receive a response prior to publication.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow