Government MLAs block NDP bid to probe alleged harassment of Saskatchewan Speaker
CBC
Government MLAs have stymied an effort by the Official Opposition to separate fact from fiction regarding allegations of harassment made by Speaker Randy Weekes.
The House services committee met for less than 30 minutes on Monday, with the government majority quickly scuttling the bid.
"I'm disappointed, but I'm not surprised," Saskatchewan NDP ethics critic Meara Conway said after the meeting. "We've seen this as a pattern of conduct from a government that doesn't think the rules apply to them."
Last month, Weekes alleged he had been harassed and intimidated by government members and staff. He also alleged that former government House leader, Jeremy Harrison, brought a firearm into the Saskatchewan Legislative building at some point in the past.
After initially denying all allegations, Harrison would later admit that he had brought a hunting rifle into the building. He then resigned as government House leader.
The NDP had attempted to call Premier Scott Moe, Jeremy Harrison, Lori Carr and others to answer questions about allegations made by the Speaker.
That was amended by government MLAs, who say there is a clear path for Weekes to take: File a complaint under the legislature's anti-harassment code of conduct.
"If the Speaker determines he wishes to, he could do that today and the process would start," said Energy Minister Jim Reiter. "It goes to the intake officer, who's the law clerk. He makes a determination of whether or not an independent third party should do an investigation or not."
The policy does have limits. An allegation is supposed be filed within 90 days of the most recent incident.
Reiter told media that he he wasn't worried about time expiring, saying he believed the events referred to in the Speaker's latest complaints would fall within the 90-day limit. Reiter also pointed to a clause that extended the time limit due to extenuating circumstances.
There is also another clock ticking down on any potential investigation. The investigative process stops once the legislature is dissolved for an election. and an investigation ends completely if an individual is no longer an MLA.
Saskatchewan is heading for a provincial election later this year.
NDP MLAs also pointed out that an investigation into a harassment complaint is completely confidential. That means the public would not know whether a complaint has been made or whether it's being investigated.
Reiter maintained the complaint is the correct avenue to pursue an investigation.
Strong attendance and record sponsorship at the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit in North Bay is a good sign the industry is recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, says Destination Northern Ontario.
A group of Halifax residents is asking the Nova Scotia Supreme Court to look at a provincial decision to greenlight a controversial Fall River development.
Parkside Drive is closed in both directions following reports of a sinkhole, Toronto police say.
The Quebec government will present its fall economic update today.
Aggressive patients and lack of security are making nurses feel unsafe in a rural Western Manitoba emergency union, says the Manitoba Nurses Union.
Saskatoon resident Delynne Bortis knew her commute to work Tuesday morning would be particularly difficult.
WARNING: This story contains details of abuse and intimate partner violence:
The amount of money it takes for people to earn a living wage has increased across the province, according to a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).
The new owner of Ontario steelmaker Stelco says his company "will not disappoint the people of Hamilton and Nanticoke," where the business's major facilities are based.
A Winnipegger is warning others about an intricate scam she says she almost fell for.
Fort William First Nation is opposing a planned redevelopment of the Ontario Power Generation's (OPG) 117 year old Kakabeka Falls Generating Station, which is located in their traditional territory.