SECOND 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. 51 NO. 52A THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2009, 10 a.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 Vermette, Doyle NDP Cumberland 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 LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF SASKATCHEWAN 2821 April 23, 2009 [The Assembly met at 10:00.] a sense of just how serious this accident was, and how serious it could have been were it not for these three young men: [Prayers] Wendy added that April heard her son‟s cries and realized ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS she had to do something. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS “She thought her baby was dead,” she said. The Speaker: — I recognize the Premier. “Her son said „Mommy, I‟m still here‟ and then she snapped out of it and [she] got him out.” Hon. Mr. Wall: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It‟s my pleasure to report to the House today that we have heroes in your gallery, Amanda said if it wasn‟t for the three boys who jumped and I‟d ask for leave for an extended introduction of these three into the water, April and the children would not have young men. survived. The Speaker: — The Premier has asked for leave for an “We owe them so much . extended introduction. Is leave granted? “They saved our family. With no hesitation. April said Some Hon. Members: — Agreed. these guys were just there. There are angels out there.” The Speaker: — Agreed. I recognize the Premier. Mr. Speaker, when asked about what they did — and I had a chance to do that this morning when I had the honour to visit Hon. Mr. Wall: — Mr. Speaker, it‟s truly an honour and a with them a little bit and talk about the event and a bunch of pleasure to introduce three young men to this Legislative other stuff — when asked about the event, they just defer. They Assembly, as well as a friend of theirs and members of their just said, well we didn‟t really think we were heroes. We were family. Joining us today in your gallery, Mr. Speaker, is Brett in the right place at the right time, said Brett, and Josh and Opikokew, age 18, an auto service technician at SIAST Devin agreed with that sentiment. [Saskatchewan Institute of Applied Science and Technology] who will graduate at the end of May. Also Devin Knot, he is 19 We know better than that today, Mr. Speaker. We know from years of age. He is learning how to be a welder. And Josh reading this incident and from listening to the family that they Lasas, age 19. He is pursuing carpentry. are heroes — heroes in our province, heroes in our country. And so, Mr. Speaker, I‟ve taken the step of writing to the As well Brett‟s mother, Isabelle, is joining her son and his Governor General to nominate these three for the Medal of friends here with us this morning. She works for the Meadow Bravery that our nation bestows on those who are deserving. Lake Tribal Council, Mr. Speaker, I think in the financing and And maybe, Mr. Speaker, if you don‟t mind, I will use this controlling end of things in that fine organization. And also forum, through this Assembly and through all of the members joining us today is Brett‟s sister, Cassandra — she is going to and my colleagues here, to encourage Saskatchewan people to be graduating this year from the University of Regina with a join in that letter writing effort to encourage the Governor Bachelor of Arts in journalism — and Cassandra‟s partner, General to bestow on these three the Medal of Bravery for our Nickolas Crighton. He is going to be graduating with a degree country. in kinesiology. He will convocate in fact this fall. Mr. Speaker, if we‟re not parents in this Assembly, we are Mr. Speaker, on the night of April 11, Brett, Devin, and Josh brothers or sisters or sons and daughters. And you cannot read were travelling near Meadow Lake. They stopped by the side of the account of this story without putting yourself in the place of the road to take a break. And moments after they had stopped, a the family that was in the vehicle, or even more desperately, not mother travelling with three kids — three small children ages 1, knowing what was going on perhaps for their extended family 3, and 8 — hit some water that had come onto the highway, members who were unaware of the calamity and of the danger, began to hydroplane, and then hit a much larger pool of water only to find out that they were saved by these three young men. adjacent to the highway. The car and the family inside quickly It is hard to read the article without considering that. began to sink, and these three brave young men, without thought for themselves, sprung into action. They came to their And then to meet them, to meet these three men is quite a thing. rescue. They have a great sense of humour. They have a modesty about them. They told stories, even to me, of the actual event where, One news report, actually the report, an excellent story in the you know, they were able to — in a moment of a lot of stress — Meadow Lake Progress that I commend to all members of this use the proper technological description for things like flotation Assembly — I think it‟s available online — described the scene devices. Brett was running around the incident saying, we need and actually quoted individuals describing the scene, like a flotation device, and he was trying to think of something in something like out of the movie Titanic: it was completely dark, the car that they would have to help. They also were the water was freezing, and all you could hear was screaming, encouraging, in very forceful words to the mom, who was the said one observer. last one to be rescued, that she could help them help her by taking some steps towards safety. These are extraordinary Mr. Speaker, just a few quotes from this same article gives you young men truly, Mr. Speaker. 2822 Saskatchewan Hansard April 23, 2009 And so, a little bit later on we‟ll have a chance to present them left to right is Shavkat Khudayberganov, Liz McTaggart, and with a copy of the letter that we have signed to the Governor Deborah McConkey. Deborah is a librarian in Saskatoon. Liz is General nominating them for the Medal of Bravery. And there‟s a long-time friend and mentor for many years. And Shavkat is a been a few other things we‟ve been able to exchange. But I just new resident to Saskatchewan; he‟s from Uzbekistan. And want to say here today, on behalf of a very grateful province, in while I‟m sure there‟s been some Uzbeks in our Assembly over addition to that family, thank you. We are very proud to be your the years, it‟s certainly not something that happens every day. fellow citizens. Welcome to your Legislative Assembly. Shavkat‟s been here for a year working and hopes to stay long term. And I would ask all members to welcome this group to Hon. Members: — Hear, hear! their Assembly. The Speaker: — I recognize the Leader of Her Majesty‟s Hon. Members: — Hear, hear! Loyal Opposition. The Speaker: — I recognize the member from Humboldt. Mr. Calvert: — Thank you very much, Mr.