REGINA — Decorum continues to be an issue at the Legislative Assembly yet again, with Question Period continuing to see more insults hurled and generally disorderly conduct from MLAs.
The declining decorum has been evident the entire spring sitting, with Speaker Todd Goudy having to repeatedly call for order and frequently having to apologize to people in the gallery over the conduct seen on the floor of the assembly.
On Monday, a major flap erupted in Question Period as Opposition House Leader Nicole Sarauer rose on a point of order over Premier Scott Moe's remarks “quoting and referring to a fundraising email put forward by the party on this side of the Chamber, Mr. Speaker.”
This was in reference to an NDP email by campaign director Jeremy Nolais that had referenced the faces of who “you hate so much,” pointing to Premier Moe, Tim McLeod, Jeremy Harrison and Jeremy Cockrill.
Sarauer demanded Moe apologize and withdraw. Government House Leader McLeod, however, said that by referencing those emails, Moe was “referencing behaviour that’s consistent with what we’re seeing from the Opposition and how they conduct themselves day to day, Mr. Speaker. That is entirely relevant.”
In response, Goudy suggested meeting with both house leaders on Tuesday before making a ruling, “because I agree that some of the things that are being said from both sides may be stretching the rules.”
Goudy ended up delaying his ruling on the matter to Wednesday. In his lengthy remarks, Goudy found the Premier’s answer was “relevant to the question, even though they included additional comments which may not be considered relevant.”
But Goudy called for MLAs to raise the bar on their conduct.
“I’m going to hold to the rules. I’m going to be more firm moving forward, just holding the rules. I’ll do my absolute best, but I am challenging us to raise our bars because the province is watching. The people are watching. And we need to be the example of what they expect in this place.”
No obvious improvement
What people ended up seeing this week was little obvious improvement. Opposition MLAs spent the week heckling and talking over government ministers as they gave their responses.
During questions on school funding on Tuesday, an exasperated-looking Goudy had to stand up and call for order in front of a gallery filled with school students.
“Sorry, I am just going to remind us. We’re talking about schools. We’ve got students in the balconies, and the minister is giving a response. Please let’s hear clearly the response of the minister.”
Later, when the NDP’s Jordan McPhail stood to roast the government over “more money for consultants, for sweetheart deals, and for schools in the Premier’s own riding, but only cuts when it comes to the highways and the airports of the people of the North,” Goudy interjected again.
“The ‘sweetheart deals,’ that’s offside.”
During questions on power rates on Wednesday, Goudy again had to stand up and interject to quell heckling from the Opposition.
“I’m going to mention the members on the far end of the room. Meewasin and South Albert, please come to order.”
Thursday morning’s sitting during Question Period proved particularly unruly. Opposition Leader Carla Beck grilled Premier Moe over the issue of extending the life of coal-fired generation, accusing the government of making life more expensive in the province.
“So, Mr. Speaker, my question is simply this, and it’s to the Premier: was he informed by the eager beaver over there, the Minister for CIC [Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan], of the plan . . .”
Goudy immediately interjected.
“Comments like ‘eager beaver,’ that’s certainly not parliamentary comments towards an honorable member.”
Premier Moe had his own retort ready to the “eager beaver” remark.
“I understand that, I believe a beaver is actually Canada’s national animal. It’s on many of our emblems, Mr. Speaker, and a very hard-working animal as well I’d say. Which is maybe somewhat relative to the effort and hard work that the members of the Government of Saskatchewan take on behalf of their constituents each and every day, Mr. Speaker.”
As Moe and other government members continued to receive a grilling from the Opposition, Goudy was forced to interject a number of times to urge members to be quiet during answers.
At one point, Goudy paused proceedings entirely and singled out the MLA for Regina Elphinstone-Centre, Meara Conway, calling on her to keep her comments to herself.
“I’ll do my best, Mr. Speaker,” Conway said. “A lot of people talking in here today. I don’t know why you’re addressing me specifically.”
“Well from my seat, I can hear all the voices in the place. There are a few that are outspoken. And I know there’s different character qualities and strengths and weaknesses in all of us, but there are a few that seem to be more outspoken than others and you are one of those. And so I asked for you to keep your comments to yourself,” Goudy said.
“If there’s any problems with me pausing the things, I’m sorry, but it is important that we have decorum in the Chamber. This is a special day. We’re going to hear from the Leader of the Opposition and the Premier, their comments, the Finance minister. I’m going to ask a last time. If not, I’m going to have to remove you, which I do not want to do.”
In the end, Goudy did not remove Conway or any other MLAs this week.
NDP seems unrepentant
Following Question Period Thursday, the NDP Opposition fielded questions from reporters about the decorum concerns. The NDP’s Aleana Young seemed unrepentant about what was going on in the assembly.
“Look, what I see what I see every day in the House and I know the people Saskatchewan is a government that stands up and lies through their teeth in this assembly, again and again and again,” said Young.
“Are we frustrated with that? You bet. Will we continue to be frustrated? You bet. Will we do everything we can relentlessly to hold them to account and shame them for those desperately tacky and heartless answers that we saw in there today? Absolutely.”
As for Premier Moe, he had strong words for the NDP during budget debate Thursday. During that speech, Moe hammered the NDP for not removing Nolais as campaign director and for the general negative tone of the party.
“This was not who the NDP were under Premier Calvert. This is not who the NDP were under the leadership of Cam Broten. But unfortunately — and I say truly, from the bottom of my heart — unfortunately this is what we see today. I don’t think it’s working for the NDP Party. I don’t think people want to hear about how terrible our province is, day in, day out…
"And I think, unlike the NDP, there certainly is something to be proud of, living in Saskatchewan. I feel that Saskatchewan people, as Saskatchewan people do, that people should go into health care, unlike the member opposite, Mr. Speaker. I think that we should not hate the people that we disagree with. I think we should respect those differences, Mr. Speaker.
"This, Mr. Speaker, is not working for the members opposite. And I don’t think it’s working for the people of Saskatchewan as well, as they look at what is happening, Mr. Speaker, in the NDP Party of today.”
