Question Period (3 April 2025)

From Hansard (3 April 2025)

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Questions in Legislative Committees and Advocacy for the North

Jordan McPhail: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, people in northern Saskatchewan have sent the member from Athabasca and I to represent them here in this legislature, to ask real questions about the ways that this Sask Party government is failing northern people.

I tried to get answers out of the Minister of Government Relations, but he wouldn’t answer my questions. He shifted the blame, passed the buck, and refused to take responsibility. When will the Minister of Government Relations take some responsibility for the problems in northern Saskatchewan?

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the rules and procedures of the Legislative Assembly are very clear. They apply in this Assembly and they apply in committee. These rules are not new, and they are the responsibility of all members of this Assembly to know and to abide by.

All that happened earlier this week in committee, Mr. Speaker, is that the members of the opposition failed to come prepared with questions for the appropriate minister. Mr. Speaker, the ministers are happy to answer any questions that pertain to their files. As always, the members opposite have 75 hours to debate these bills, and we encourage the members opposite to come prepared for committee and ask appropriate questions to the appropriate ministers. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Jordan McPhail: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I will take absolutely zero lessons from any member opposite on how to stand up for northern people.

Mr. Speaker, I’ll remind the minister of his full title: Minister of Government Relations; Minister Responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs. He’s also the Minister Responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission. He should be ready to answer questions about what’s going in the North — health care, education, seniors’ care, highways, mental health and addiction, suicide crisis. The list goes on and on. The list of places where this Sask Party government is failing the people of the North is long. And the Sask Party’s list of accomplishments after almost two decades in office is awfully short.

When will this minister take the responsibility for his file and start standing up for the North?

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Mr. Speaker, our Minister of Government Relations will answer any question pertaining to his file . . .

[Interjections]

Speaker Goudy: — I am going to ask that during the answers that we remain quiet in the Chamber, please.

Hon. Tim McLeod: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. He will take questions responding to any issue regarding his file and at committee any issue regarding his budget.

The member opposite clearly stated that he’s asking questions about health. He’s asking questions about highways. He’s asking questions about justice. We have ministries and ministers who have those files, Mr. Speaker. If the members opposite wish to ask questions of government ministers, I encourage them to ask the appropriate minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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