Almost one month after the biggest election victory in recent history, the Saskatchewan legislature will meet for what is expected to be a brief fall session.
The legislature is scheduled to sit Dec. 5 and when it does the Sask. Party will unveil its new caucus which swelled to 49 members after they hammered the NDP 49-8 in the Nov. 7 election.
Although the fall session is expected to last just a few days, Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles said there are a couple of important issues on the agenda.
"I think one of the things that might be discussed in the fall session is the higher demand for communications and how it has impacted SaskTel," said Eagles. "A lot of times SaskTel has been down so there will be some talk of the changes that have to be made to improve that system.
"Also, about other issues relating to growth and one that applies to the Estevan area is affordable housing. Those are two of the items that will be specific in the Throne session."
While the session begins Dec. 5, Eagles and her fellow MLA's are busy with other matters. The Sask. Party caucus had a meeting Tuesday and all 58 MLA's will be sworn in today.
The 15 newly elected members have also been receiving a crash course on legislative procedures and everything else they need to know to function as an MLA.
"It's everything from your duties in the chamber to how things are done in the chamber, to dealing with your constituency office, your constituency assistant, your budget. They have had a number of days in Regina taking this training. It's kind of an MLA 101."
With such a massive majority, it has been noted by many political pundits that the Sask. Party must avoid complacency and the arrogance that sometimes follows a large majority. Eagles agrees with those concerns noting MLA's must never lose sight of why they were elected to office.
"We are servants of the public and it is an absolute honour. I am one of 58 MLA's in that legislature at a given time and you have to keep in mind the public put you there and they could soon take you out.
"It's accountability. We all have to be accountable to the people who put us there. The premier has spoken to us about that already; that's our concern, our constituents and we can never lose touch with the grassroots of this province."
Another item on the agenda is the election of a new Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. Incumbent speaker and Moosomin MLA Don Toth is expected to run for a second term and will reportedly be challenged by Cannington MLA Dan D'Autremont.
Eagles could also be involved in an election. She is the incumbent chairwoman of the Sask. Party caucus and has decided to let her name stand for another term. As of press time Eagles was unaware if she would face a challenge for the position.
