SECOND SESSION - TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan ____________ DEBATES and PROCEEDINGS ____________ (HANSARD) Published under the authority of The Honourable P. Myron Kowalsky Speaker N.S. VOL. XLVIII NO. 20A WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 2006, 1:30 p.m. MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF SASKATCHEWAN Speaker — Hon. P. Myron Kowalsky Premier — Hon. Lorne Calvert Leader of the Opposition — Brad Wall Name of Member Political Affiliation Constituency Addley, Hon. Graham NDP Saskatoon Sutherland Allchurch, Denis SP Rosthern-Shellbrook Atkinson, Hon. Pat NDP Saskatoon Nutana Beatty, Hon. Joan NDP Cumberland Belanger, Hon. Buckley NDP Athabasca Bjornerud, Bob SP Melville-Saltcoats Borgerson, Lon NDP Saskatchewan Rivers Brkich, Greg SP Arm River-Watrous Calvert, Hon. Lorne NDP Saskatoon Riversdale Cheveldayoff, Ken SP Saskatoon Silver Springs Chisholm, Michael SP Cut Knife-Turtleford Cline, Hon. Eric NDP Saskatoon Massey Place Crofford, Joanne NDP Regina Rosemont D’Autremont, Dan SP Cannington Dearborn, Jason SP Kindersley Draude, June SP Kelvington-Wadena Eagles, Doreen SP Estevan Elhard, Wayne SP Cypress Hills Forbes, Hon. David NDP Saskatoon Centre Gantefoer, Rod SP Melfort Hagel, Hon. Glenn NDP Moose Jaw North Hamilton, Doreen NDP Regina Wascana Plains Harpauer, Donna SP Humboldt Harper, Ron NDP Regina Northeast Hart, Glen SP Last Mountain-Touchwood Heppner, Ben SP Martensville Hermanson, Elwin SP Rosetown-Elrose Higgins, Hon. Deb NDP Moose Jaw Wakamow Huyghebaert, Yogi SP Wood River Iwanchuk, Andy NDP Saskatoon Fairview Junor, Judy NDP Saskatoon Eastview Kerpan, Allan SP Carrot River Valley Kirsch, Delbert SP Batoche Kowalsky, Hon. P. Myron NDP Prince Albert Carlton Krawetz, Ken SP Canora-Pelly Lautermilch, Hon. Eldon NDP Prince Albert Northcote McCall, Warren NDP Regina Elphinstone-Centre McMorris, Don SP Indian Head-Milestone Merriman, Ted SP Saskatoon Northwest Morgan, Don SP Saskatoon Southeast Morin, Sandra NDP Regina Walsh Acres Nilson, Hon. John NDP Regina Lakeview Prebble, Peter NDP Saskatoon Greystone Quennell, Hon. Frank NDP Saskatoon Meewasin Serby, Hon. Clay NDP Yorkton Sonntag, Hon. Maynard NDP Meadow Lake Stewart, Lyle SP Thunder Creek Taylor, Hon. Len NDP The Battlefords Thomson, Hon. Andrew NDP Regina South Toth, Don SP Moosomin Trew, Kim NDP Regina Coronation Park Van Mulligen, Hon. Harry NDP Regina Douglas Park Wakefield, Milton SP Lloydminster Wall, Brad SP Swift Current Wartman, Hon. Mark NDP Regina Qu’Appelle Valley Weekes, Randy SP Biggar Yates, Hon. Kevin NDP Regina Dewdney Vacant Weyburn-Big Muddy LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF SASKATCHEWAN 585 March 15, 2006 [The Assembly met at 13:30.] behalf. [Prayers] Some Hon. Members: — Hear, hear! ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Humboldt. PRESENTING PETITIONS Ms. Harpauer: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a petition The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Cypress with citizens concerned about the safety on Highway No. 5. Hills. And the prayer reads as follows: Mr. Elhard: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise again today to Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. present petitions on behalf of communities along Highway 32 Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to take from Cabri through to Leader. The prayer reads as follows: the necessary action to upgrade and widen Highway No. 5 from Humboldt to Saskatoon. Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to take And the signatures, Mr. Speaker, are from Pilger, Humboldt, immediate action and make necessary repairs to Highway Bruno, Jansen, Lake Lenore, St. Gregor, Naicam, Watson, 32 in order to address safety and economic concerns. Muenster, Nokomis, and Annaheim. I so present. As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Biggar. Mr. Speaker, today’s three pages of petitions are from the Mr. Weekes: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have another communities of Leader, Eatonia, Prelate, Liebenthal, Burstall, petition from constituents opposed to possible reductions of Sceptre, and Estuary. I so present. health care services in Biggar. The prayer reads: The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. Kelvington-Wadena. Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to take the necessary steps to ensure that the Biggar Hospital, Ms. Draude: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too rise again today long-term care home, and ambulance services maintain at on behalf of people from my constituency and beyond who are the very least the current level of services. concerned about Highway No. 310. The prayer reads: As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. Assembly may be pleased to cause this government to Signed by the good citizens of Handel, Sonningdale, Biggar, repair Highway No. 310 in order to address safety and district. I so present. concerns and facilitate economic growth and tourism in Foam Lake, Fishing Lake, Kuroki, and surrounding areas. The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Saskatoon Silver Springs. The people who have signed this petition are from Foam Lake, Kuroki, Margo, and Fishing Lake. I so present. Mr. Cheveldayoff: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I am pleased to rise today to present a petition from parents in the constituency The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for of Saskatoon Silver Springs regarding a much needed Rosetown-Elrose. elementary school in the Arbor Creek area of Saskatoon. The prayer of the petition reads as follows: Mr. Hermanson: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. I too have a petition to improve Highway 310. The signatures on this Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. petition believe that a dependable highway system is vital to Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to take both public safety and economic development in any given the necessary action to implement an allocation of area. Mr. Speaker, the prayer of this petition reads: financial resources in this year’s budget to build an elementary school in Arbor Creek. Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to The petitioners today live on Budz Crescent, Peters Cove, and repair Highway 310 in order to address safety concerns Kenderdine Road in northeast Saskatoon. I so present, Mr. and facilitate economic growth and tourism in the Foam Speaker. Lake, Fishing Lake, Kuroki, and surrounding areas. The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Arm And as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. River. Mr. Speaker, the signatures on this petition come from the Mr. Brkich: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a petition here, communities of Tuffnell, Foam Lake, Kuroki, Kelvington, and citizens calling the government to upgrade Highway 20 to Wadena. And I’m pleased to present this petition on their primary weight status. 586 Saskatchewan Hansard March 15, 2006 Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. I also have a similar question for the fiscal year of 2005-2006. I Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to take so present. the necessary steps to ensure that Highway 20 be upgraded to primary weight status to ensure the economic viability The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Indian in the surrounding areas. Head-Milestone. As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. Mr. McMorris: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that I shall on day no. 25 ask the government the following question: Signed by the good citizens from Guernsey, Humboldt, Burr, and Lanigan. I so present. To the Minister of Environment: did the White Track ski hill near Moose Jaw receive any monies in the form of a The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for grant or loan from the department for the years Saskatoon Southeast. 2002-2003? If so, what was that amount and what is the state of these loans or grants? Mr. Morgan: — Mr. Speaker, I rise today to present a petition regarding the widening of Highway No. 5. I will read from the I have the same question for that department for 2003-04, prayer for relief, Mr. Speaker. ’04-05, and ’05-06. Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. Mr. Speaker, while I’m on my feet I also have questions for the Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to take Minister of Culture, Youth and Recreation. It’s the same the necessary action to upgrade and widen Highway No. 5 question. from Humboldt to Saskatoon. Did the White Track ski hill near Moose Jaw receive any And as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. monies in the form of grant or loan from the department for the years 2002-2003? If so, what was the amount and Mr. Speaker, this petition is signed by good citizens from what is the state of these loans or grants? Humboldt and Colonsay, St. Brieux, and Muenster. I so present, Mr. Speaker. I have these same questions dating from 2002-2003 to ’05-06. I so present. READING AND RECEIVING PETITIONS The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Deputy Clerk: — According to order the following petitions Rosetown-Elrose. have been reviewed and pursuant to rule 14(7) are hereby read and received as addendums to previous tabled petitions being Mr. Hermanson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a notice sessional paper nos. 2, 7, 8, 12, 18, and 27. of motion for first reading of a Bill. I give notice that I shall on Friday next move first reading of a Bill entitled The NOTICES OF MOTIONS AND QUESTIONS Recognition of Telemiracle Week Act. I so give notice. The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Biggar. Some Hon. Members: — Hear, hear! Mr. Weekes: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice I shall STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS on day no.