FIRST SESSION - TWENTY-SIXTH LEGISLATURE of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan ____________ DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS ____________ (HANSARD) Published under the authority of The Honourable Don Toth Speaker N.S. VOL. 50 NO. 22A TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 2008, 1:30 p.m. MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF SASKATCHEWAN Speaker — Hon. Don Toth Premier — Hon. Brad Wall Leader of the Opposition — Lorne Calvert Name of Member Political Affiliation Constituency Allchurch, Denis SP Rosthern-Shellbrook Atkinson, Pat NDP Saskatoon Nutana Belanger, Buckley NDP Athabasca Bjornerud, Hon. Bob SP Melville-Saltcoats Boyd, Hon. Bill SP Kindersley Bradshaw, Fred SP Carrot River Valley Brkich, Greg SP Arm River-Watrous Broten, Cam NDP Saskatoon Massey Place Calvert, Lorne NDP Saskatoon Riversdale Cheveldayoff, Hon. Ken SP Saskatoon Silver Springs Chisholm, Michael SP Cut Knife-Turtleford D’Autremont, Hon. Dan SP Cannington Draude, Hon. June SP Kelvington-Wadena Duncan, Dustin SP Weyburn-Big Muddy Eagles, Doreen SP Estevan Elhard, Hon. Wayne SP Cypress Hills Forbes, David NDP Saskatoon Centre Furber, Darcy NDP Prince Albert Northcote Gantefoer, Hon. Rod SP Melfort Harpauer, Hon. Donna SP Humboldt Harper, Ron NDP Regina Northeast Harrison, Jeremy SP Meadow Lake Hart, Glen SP Last Mountain-Touchwood Heppner, Hon. Nancy SP Martensville Hickie, Hon. Darryl SP Prince Albert Carlton Higgins, Deb NDP Moose Jaw Wakamow Hutchinson, Hon. Bill SP Regina South Huyghebaert, Yogi SP Wood River Iwanchuk, Andy NDP Saskatoon Fairview Junor, Judy NDP Saskatoon Eastview Kirsch, Delbert SP Batoche Krawetz, Hon. Ken SP Canora-Pelly LeClerc, Serge SP Saskatoon Northwest McCall, Warren NDP Regina Elphinstone-Centre McMillan, Tim SP Lloydminster McMorris, Hon. Don SP Indian Head-Milestone Michelson, Warren SP Moose Jaw North Morgan, Hon. Don SP Saskatoon Southeast Morin, Sandra NDP Regina Walsh Acres Nilson, John NDP Regina Lakeview Norris, Hon. Rob SP Saskatoon Greystone Ottenbreit, Greg SP Yorkton Quennell, Frank NDP Saskatoon Meewasin Reiter, Jim SP Rosetown-Elrose Ross, Laura SP Regina Qu’Appelle Valley Schriemer, Joceline SP Saskatoon Sutherland Stewart, Hon. Lyle SP Thunder Creek Taylor, Len NDP The Battlefords Tell, Hon. Christine SP Regina Wascana Plains Toth, Hon. Don SP Moosomin Trew, Kim NDP Regina Coronation Park Van Mulligen, Harry NDP Regina Douglas Park Wall, Hon. Brad SP Swift Current Weekes, Randy SP Biggar Wilson, Nadine SP Saskatchewan Rivers Wotherspoon, Trent NDP Regina Rosemont Yates, Kevin NDP Regina Dewdney Vacant Cumberland LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF SASKATCHEWAN 659 April 8, 2008 [The Assembly met at 13:30.] actually heard some of those, some of that music. [Prayers] I just want to say to Jennifer that I had a chance a few moments ago to meet her, and we had a wonderful visit. And I know she ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS is going to do an outstanding job for Easter Seals. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS Mr. Speaker, I‟d ask all members of the Assembly to join with me in welcoming her to her Legislative Assembly. The Speaker: — Members, if I could, we have a special guest in the Assembly I would ask to have the privilege of Hon. Members: — Hear, hear! introducing. I would like to introduce to you today Mr. Gilbert Parent. He‟s seated in the Speaker‟s gallery. He‟s the former The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Prince Albert Speaker of the House of Commons. Carlton. Mr. Parent was first elected in 1974 and served for 27 years in Hon. Mr. Hickie: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Well it‟s my parliament. In 1994 MPs [Member of Parliament] chose him as honour as well today to introduce to this Legislative Assembly their Speaker in a vote by members that required six ballots and some individuals who are part of the Saskatchewan Federation nearly seven hours. I‟m glad I didn‟t have to face that. Mr. of Police Officers, so to you and through you, Mr. Speaker, to Parent was re-elected Speaker in 1997. all members of the Legislative Assembly. During his time as Speaker he founded the Teachers Institute on Today I was able to meet with some of my former colleagues Canadian Parliamentary Democracy where he met with teachers who I sat with on the Saskatchewan federation board of in the Chamber of the House of Commons. A participant directors till about six months ago actually as a member of their recalled that Speaker Parent sat in the historic Speaker‟s chair association. and shared his thoughts and deep affection for what he called our House. It was the most powerful unity speech the teacher When I call your names, would you please stand, please: Stan had ever heard. The words came from his heart. Goertzen, Saskatoon Police Association; Nolan Berg, Saskatoon Police Association; Murray Zoorkan, Saskatoon Tonight Mr. Parent will be the keynote speaker at our own Police Association; Lorilee Davies, Regina Police Association; Institute on Parliamentary Democracy, this Social Sciences Donovan Steffenson, Regina Police Association; Shane St. Teachers‟ Institute. John, Weyburn Police Association; Jay Pierson, Estevan Police Association; and Bernie Eiswirth, the Saskatchewan Federation Joining Mr. Parent is Mr. Brent Toles from the Ministry of of Police Officers‟ executive officer. Education. Mr. Toles attended the first Ottawa Institute and the first Saskatchewan Institute and has served on the SSTI Mr. Speaker, these individuals represent over 1,100 police [Saskatchewan Social Sciences Teachers‟ Institute on officers from Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina, Weyburn, Parliamentary Democracy] steering committee for nine years. Estevan, and Moose Jaw. And like I said, up to about six He‟s referred to as Mr. SSTI. months ago it was my privilege to work and serve with them on the streets of our fine cities and to serve and protect as they do, Would you please join me in welcoming — and I‟d ask them to as two of my colleagues have as well. stand — Mr. Parent and Mr. Toles. It‟s because of them and the people that they represent that Hon. Members: — Hear, hear! we‟re safe at night, Mr. Speaker, and the daytime period. Thank you and welcome to your Legislative Assembly. The Speaker: — I recognize the Premier. Hon. Members: — Hear, hear! Hon. Mr. Wall: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It‟s an honour today to introduce someone very, very special that‟s seated in The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Regina your gallery. So if I may, to you and through you to all of my Dewdney. colleagues in the Assembly, introduce Jennifer Lozinski who is this year‟s Easter Seals ambassador. She‟s joined in the gallery Mr. Yates: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I‟d like to by Michelle Hunter and her dad. Mr. Lozinski‟s joined us as join with the minister and welcome our guests from the well today. Saskatchewan association of police officers. Mr. Speaker, because of these individuals and many like them throughout the And it‟s a great pleasure to have Jennifer here. She is 14 years province as the minister indicated, we have safer communities. of age. She attends Riffle Collegiate in Regina. In addition to her official duties as ambassador which will take her around the And, Mr. Speaker, I look forward, as do other members of Her province representing the great cause of Easter Seals, she has a Majesty‟s Loyal Opposition, to working with these members to number of other passions. She, well like a lot of kids her age, help to continue to improve the safety and well-being of our she enjoys Facebook, I‟m told. We chatted a little bit about that province. Thank you. earlier. She‟s a fan of Avril Lavigne, Hedley, and Green Day. And unlike the member for Thunder Creek, Mr. Speaker, I‟ve Hon. Members: — Hear, hear! 660 Saskatchewan Hansard April 8, 2008 PRESENTING PETITIONS Coronation Park. The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Moose Jaw Mr. Trew: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It‟s my honour today to Wakamow. present some petitions, a petition against means testing the seniors‟ drug plan: Ms. Higgins: — Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition that speaks to the To the Hon. Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan shabby way that employees at the South Hill liquor store in legislature assembled, the petition of the undersigned Moose Jaw were treated and the residents of my constituency. citizens of the province of Saskatchewan humbly showeth And the petition reads: . Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. And it describes the problem of means testing: Legislative Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to reassess its decision to close the South Hill Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. liquor store, allowing it to continue to serve the people of Legislative Assembly may be pleased to cause the Moose Jaw and provide valuable revenue to the people of government to reverse its decision to means test seniors this province. and ensure that all seniors continue to have access to affordable prescription drugs. And as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. I am delighted to report these signatures are all, in this instance, Mr. Speaker, I so present. from Regina Coronation Park, the constituency I‟m honoured to represent. I so present. Some Hon. Members: — Hear, hear! Some Hon. Members: — Hear, hear! The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Saskatoon Centre. STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Mr. Forbes: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too rise to present a The Speaker: — I recognize the member for Regina petition. This one‟s in support of affordable housing in Qu‟Appelle Valley. Saskatchewan. Many citizens are concerned about the process in terms of the openness and accountability. I‟ll read the prayer: Women of Strength and Distinction Banquet Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon.