Sask. Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson on a previous day in the Legislature. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Politics

MLA Nadine Wilson explains how she was kicked out of the Legislature

May 20, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson was one of two people removed from the Legislative Assembly this week and for the same reason; refusing to apologize for words used during question period.

In Wilson’s case, she was accusing the government of lying and did not withdraw the comment when asked by the speaker.

“In our assembly you have to apologize and if you don’t you’re in violation of disregarding the authority of the chair. When I refused to apologize, he asked the Sergeant at Arms to escort me out and I was suspended for the day,” she said.

Wilson is an independent now but was a member of the Saskatchewan Party until she resigned last year over her vaccination status.

Given her changed status and difference of opinion on things like COVID restrictions, Wilson said the spring sitting has been difficult.

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“It’s been a long spring session of emotions and frustration. I’m sitting as an independent now so of course I’m in opposition to the government,” she said. “They’ve been doing some things that I feel have trampled the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.”

Wilson was referring to various restrictions placed by the provincial government during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wilson said she has discussed her concerns with former Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Brian Peckford, who has sued the federal government over vaccine requirements for air travel.

In the moments leading to her removal, Wilson was heckling the Minister of Trade and Export Development, Jeremy Harrison.

“As I heckled I said quote, what laws are you going to break now, unquote,” Wilson explained in an interview on Thursday.

“I continued to heckle and I shouted the word lie and Mr. Speaker asked me to withdrawn and apologize for using unparliamentary language,” Wilson said.

After refusing three times to apologize, Wilson left, which also results in a reduction in pay for the MLA who is removed.

She was not the only MLA removed that day as Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette was also asked to apologize but in his case for using a curse word while talking about suicide prevention.

Vermette also refused to apologize.

The two removals, both on May 17, are the first since 2017.

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susan.mcnel@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow