(File photo/650 CKOM)

By Derek Craddock

OFF FOR THE WINTER

P.A. MLAs reflect on Fall Session of Legislature

Dec 8, 2022 | 5:00 PM

After multiple debates, discussions, and some controversy, the fall sitting of the Saskatchewan Legislature has ended.

The sitting began with the Speech from The Throne at the end of October which introduced new policing initiatives and a first look at what would become the Saskatchewan First Act.

From the start of the session, the SaskParty government already found themselves in hot water after convicted murderer Colin Thatcher was invited to the Throne Speech by MLA Lyle Stewart.

Thatcher, an energy minister under former Conservative premier Grant Devine, was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He served 22 years behind bars before he was granted full parole in 2006.

The Opposition NDP criticized the invite and asked the government to strip Stewart and Minister of Policing Christine Tell of their duties. Stewart’s legislative duties were eventually removed.

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Despite the controversies, the legislature continued and Prince Albert – Carlton MLA Joe Hargrave said he was overall pleased.

“I think it went very well; we got some good pieces of legislation in there.”

Prince Albert – Northcote MLA Alana Ross agreed.

“We accomplished quite a lot in a short period of time.”

Both MLAs also took time to comment on the Saskatchewan First Act which received support from both sides of the house.

The Bill, which is designed to strengthen the province’s jurisdiction when it comes to sectors like natural resources has been panned as an attack on the unity of Canada. The Assembly of First Nations has even called for the Act and the Sovereignty Bill in Alberta to be tossed, claiming they infringe on treaty rights.

Alberta’s Sovereignty under a United Canada Act was recently passed in the legislature.

Hargrave noted that the Act itself is meant to represent all Saskatchewan residents.

“It affects everybody in the province and tries to protect everybody in the province and our resources in this province which are good for us all no matter if your First Nations or non-First Nations,” he said.

“A strong Saskatchewan means a strong Canada,” added Ross. “Our government will stand up for policies that hurt our economy and we will continue to assert our economic autonomy in support of the people of Saskatchewan.”

The Sask. NDP was also busy, constantly going back to what leader Carla Beck said was its focus: good jobs, affordability, and what she called the healthcare crisis.

“Those were the priorities that we connected with what people described to us as being their main priorities as we were out meeting with people the months prior to session,” said Beck.

The opposition frequently brought people from around the province to the Legislative Building to speak to their personal experiences and put a face to the problems the NDP was talking about.

“Our focus coming into session was to really root what we brought into session in the things that people told us were important to them,” said Beck.

The NDP leader characterized this sitting as being about priorities.

“There’s a very big distinction between the priorities that we brought forward, the priorities brought forward because these are concerns that people in the province have, and the legislative agenda of this government,” said Beck.

Lawmakers will return to the legislature for the spring sitting starting March 6 with the budget expected to roll in on March 22.

“There’s lots more to be done, lots more discussion that’s going to take place, lots of debate to take place,” said Hargrave detailing that the spring session will continue the work they started in the fall sitting.

-With files from 650 CKOM

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock