Premier says work is ongoing for some sort of ‘legislative oversight’

Saskatchewan’s NDP is calling for “oversight and accountability” and for the legislature to resume sitting.
NDP Leader Ryan Meili sent a letter to the Premier on Monday, saying the legislature needs to be reconvened immediately.

In the letter, Meili argued that the people of Saskatchewan have questions about the pandemic response that need to be answered, as well as questions about the money and stimulus packages that are being rolled out.

“Since March, your government has authorized billions of dollars in new spending with no legislative scrutiny. The time is now for your government to present a plan to address the economic and public health challenges we face, and that plan needs to take the form of a budget in the Legislative Assembly,” read the letter.

Meili wrote that the required 28 sitting days to scrutinize the budget along with committee meetings are in the public interest, and it’s what was agreed to when the legislature was adjourned early on March 18.

When asked about whether a budget would be presented anytime soon, Premier Scott Moe said that his government already tabled its spending estimates for the year before the legislature closed down and that the finance minister has given an update on revenues, and would continue to as time goes on.

In his letter, Meili pointed out that four other provinces’ legislatures, plus the House of Commons, have continued meeting either in person, by video, or both, or will in the near future.

“There is no reason why our Legislative Assembly and its committees cannot be reconvened in similar ways to do the important work Saskatchewan people have elected us to do,” wrote Meili.

Moe said work is being done to look at reconvening some political processes.

“The house leaders have been discussing this for a number of days now. My understanding is they met last week and have intentions to meet again this week to discuss how the legislative oversight can occur, whether there’s committees or legislative sittings,” said Moe.

Moe said it’s critical that the work continue at the level of the house leaders so that the talks don’t interfere with the work around the pandemic.

Moe said his government will be responding to Meili’s letter, but also said he’s surprised the letter came because he said Meili would know that talks are already happening.