REGINA — A turbulent, emotional session wrapped up at the Saskatchewan Legislature Thursday.
The session saw heated moments over issues such as mental health, the cost of living and security changes at the legislature, but there was hope expressed the upcoming legislative break for the summer could mean a reset for all members.
In meeting with reporters, Premier Scott Moe said he sees the break as a time for members of the assembly to pause and regroup.
Moe also pointed out that there was common ground among them.
“We will talk all day as politicians where we disagree. We, as politicians, likely agree on more than we disagree on, and that extends across Saskatchewan,” said Moe.
“Maybe this spring is a time for us to just pause for a moment, realize that and carry on respectfully with one another.”
Moe's comments reflected what he said at the end of Question Period, when he encouraged members to return to their constituencies this summer and "take a few moments for themselves, their family, their close friends at home, and ensure that they are, you know, strong themselves, Mr. Speaker, so that we’re able to ensure that we come back and have the rigorous debate in this assembly...
"I encourage all members just to take a few moments as we leave this assembly, Mr. Speaker, a few moments for themselves to ensure that we are able to return this fall, to return to our service to our constituents this summer in the very best form."
Regarding the government’s accomplishments this session, Moe pointed to significant investment in health care, and particularly mental health care and addictions, and “good discussion” on how to move forward on suicide prevention — an issue that he acknowledged was driven by the opposition as well.
Moe also pointed to "a very solid course charted with respect to where we are going in health care in the months ahead,” pointing to recruitment of health care providers.
“All the dollars are provided in our budget to ensure we will be able to add people to our delivery of health care services across the board.”
Moe noted they have an RFP out to add to private surgery in the province as well, that will allow them to provide additional surgery in the coming months and years.
Record set
He also highlighted what he termed a strong and growing economy, pointing to investment as well as the export value setting another record.
“What that ultimately means is growth in our Saskatchewan economy and it means jobs — jobs in communities right across the province. We’ve had two very challenging years in this province and in this nation, around the world. We are in a very fortunate position in Saskatchewan where we are on the cusp of what I think some of the strongest growth that this product has ever seen in its history.”
Moe also addressed reporters on the possibility there could be some relief seen to affordability issues down the road — an issue the opposition had pushed the government on during the spring.
“We’re about 40 days into this fiscal year. Should we get a number of months into this fiscal year, and our natural resource prices remain strong, and we find ourselves in surplus position, certainly we are going to make some decisions with respect to what to do with that surplus.”
Premier Moe said they would look for ways it could be dispersed that benefits all Saskatchewan people, “not certain segments of people, because we are all equal shareholders ultimately of that resource.”
The legislative session has come under scrutiny, particularly over the last few days, over the heckling and personal comments MLAs directed at each other.
Premier Moe acknowledged there were some instances that he thought individual members might "like to have back."
“But I think there are always opportunities for us, as I said, to pause and for all of us to just remember we are not debating personalities in this house, we are debating policies on behalf of folks who put us here. And I think if we put that at the forefront, this will continue to be a strong place as it has been for over 100 years, to have that discussion and arrive at ultimately a better place.”
Respect for departing Opposition leader
Thursday was particularly notable as it marked Opposition Leader Ryan Meili’s final day in the legislature both as leader of the Opposition and as MLA for Saskatoon Meewasin.
Moe wished "the very best for him," adding that Meili “showed perseverance to get here. He ran in a number of various elections to get here and most certainly showed a great deal of perseverance to come here and to bring beliefs that he has to represent constituents."
Moe said he admired Meili for standing true to what he believed in.
“He did live true to his beliefs. Whether we agreed on those beliefs or not, he most certainly did live to them and he stuck by them. Those two traits of perseverance and being true to the beliefs you have, I think, are admirable in any individual, even when you might not agree totally to what they might be. I think you can respect the fact that someone is doing that. Ryan Meili certainly did do that.”
