FIRST 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. XLVII NO. 109A TUESDAY, MAY 10, 2005, 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, Graham NDP Saskatoon Sutherland Allchurch, Denis SP Rosthern-Shellbrook Atkinson, Hon. Pat NDP Saskatoon Nutana Bakken Lackey, Brenda SP Weyburn-Big Muddy 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, Hon. 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, 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, 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, Hon. 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, Kevin NDP Regina Dewdney LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF SASKATCHEWAN 2959 May 10, 2005 [The Assembly met at 13:30.] Mr. Speaker, a number of signatures on this petition, and they are from the communities of Rosetown and Elrose. And I’m [Prayers] pleased to present it on their behalf. ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Estevan. PRESENTING PETITIONS Ms. Eagles: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Cypress present a petition regarding crop insurance. And the prayer Hills. reads: Mr. Elhard: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once again I rise on Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. behalf of constituents of Cypress Hills who want to raise their Assembly may be pleased to cause the provincial concerns about the condition of Highway 32 to the government. government to take all necessary actions to reverse the The prayer reads as follows: increase in crop insurance premiums and the reduction in coverage. Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to take And as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. immediate action and to make necessary repairs to Highway 32 in order to address safety and economic And this is signed by citizens of Radville and Regina. I so concerns. present. As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Weyburn-Big Muddy. Mr. Speaker, today’s three or four pages of petitions are signed by individuals from the community of Leader, the community Ms. Bakken Lackey: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise today of Sceptre, Abbey, and Lemsford. I so present. to present a petition on behalf of constituents of Weyburn-Big Muddy who are very concerned about the quality of health care The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Swift throughout the province. And the prayer reads: Current. Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. Mr. Wall: — Well thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise again on Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to take behalf of constituents who are concerned about the lack of the necessary action to ensure that facilities providing group home spaces in my constituency of Swift Current. And health care services in the constituency of Weyburn-Big the prayer of their petition reads as follows: Muddy are not closed or further downsized. Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. And as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to take the necessary steps to provide the funding required for And the petition is signed by residents of Weyburn, Colgate, additional spaces for Swift Current residents with lifelong Radville, Minton, and Gladmar. I so present. disabilities. The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Arm And, Mr. Speaker, the petitioners today are all from the great River-Watrous. city of Swift Current. I so present. Mr. Brkich: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a petition here The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for with citizens that want to improve SaskTel’s cellular service in Rosetown-Elrose. rural Saskatchewan: Mr. Hermanson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have another Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. petition to halt the forced amalgamation of school divisions. Assembly may be pleased to cause the provincial And, Mr. Speaker, people are concerned that the proposed government to take all the necessary actions to install the school division is far too large to retain any local input into the technical equipment necessary to ensure that all rural areas education system. The prayer of the petition reads: of Saskatchewan are protected by reliable cellular phone coverage. Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. Assembly may be pleased to cause the provincial As in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. government to reverse the decision to force the amalgamation of school divisions in Saskatchewan and Signed by the good citizens from Jansen, Lockwood, and continue reorganization of school divisions on a strictly Lanigan, Colonsay. I so present. voluntary basis. The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Biggar. And as in duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. 2960 Saskatchewan Hansard May 10, 2005 Mr. Weekes: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to present NOTICES OF MOTIONS AND QUESTIONS another petition to revisit effects of the TransGas Asquith natural gas storage project. The prayer reads: The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Arm River-Watrous. Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to Mr. Brkich: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice I shall immediately address the concerns of all individuals on day no. 114 ask the government the following question: affected by this project, pay 100 per cent of the costs involved to rectify disruptions to water supplies, produce To the Minister of Rural Development: how much money an environment assessment study encompassing a larger did your department give to Ducks Unlimited in 2004? area outside the scope of the project, disclose the project’s long-term effects on these areas, and consider alternative I also have a similar question for the Minister of Environment, sources of water for the project. the Minister Responsible for SaskEnergy, SaskTel, SaskPower, and the Minister for Agriculture. I so present. As is duty bound, your petitioners will ever pray. The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Signed by the good citizens of Grandora and district. I so Weyburn-Big Muddy. present. Ms. Bakken Lackey: — Mr. Speaker, I give notice that I shall The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for on day no. 114 ask the government the following question: Kindersley. To the Minister of Health: what is the policy regarding Mr. Dearborn: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It’s a pleasure to smoking in schools or on school property in the province rise in the Assembly today and present a petition on behalf of of Saskatchewan? the citizens of west central Saskatchewan opposed to the rerouting of Highway No. 51. And the prayer reads as follows: The Speaker: — And the Chair recognizes the member for Biggar. Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray that your Hon. Assembly may be pleased to cause the government to take Mr. Weekes: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that I the necessary steps to ensure that Highway 51 is rebuilt to shall on day no. 114 ask the government the following question: go through the town of Kerrobert so that local businesses may be given the opportunity to promote themselves to To the Minister Responsible for Immigration: how many and gain business from patrons passing through Kerrobert. businesses were notified about the Saskatchewan immigrant nominee program in 2005? Mr. Speaker, these petitions are signed by citizens of both Kerrobert and Saskatoon. I so present. And I have the same question for the previous six years. I so present. The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Batoche. The Speaker: — The Chair recognizes the member for Shellbrook Turtleford. Mr. Kirsch: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring a petition from the citizens of our area, and they are Mr. Allchurch: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I give notice that I concerned with the terms of the consulting contract to former shall on day no.