Fall session of Legislature kicks off November 30
By Brian Zinchuk
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
REGINA – Fresh off a new election win, and with a strong mandate, Premier Scott Moe announced on Nov. 16. that the first session of the new Legislative Assembly will begin on Monday, Nov. 30.
The session will begin with the election of the Speaker in the morning followed by the Lieutenant Governor delivering the Throne Speech in the afternoon.
“Our government has received a new mandate from the people of Saskatchewan and I know all MLAs on both sides of the House are looking forward to getting into the Assembly and debating the important issues facing our province,” Moe said in a release. “Of course, our immediate focus with be on managing through the ongoing pandemic - keeping Saskatchewan people safe while keeping our economy open and working toward a strong recovery.”
The Assembly has been reconfigured to create more space for safe physical distancing between the members and plexiglass shields are being installed on the desks. Members will all wear masks when in the Assembly. The number of members who will be present in the Assembly at one time remains under consideration.
The fall sitting is expected to last two weeks, which will allow for debate and passage of the Throne Speech and introduction of several pieces of legislation, including bills required to fulfill the government’s campaign commitments, the government said it its release.
“We are grateful that the people of this great province gave our government a strong renewed mandate to keeping building a strong economy, strong communities, strong families and a strong Saskatchewan, and that’s exactly what we intend to do,” Moe said.
New Democratic Party House Leader Vicki Mowat said in an emailed comment, “It is important that we return to the Legislature, and that we do so safely. The NDP Caucus is determined to put people first and stand up for families, communities and businesses as we face the second wave of COVID-19. We have held productive conversations with the government on what that return looks like, and will continue to do so.”
