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Saskatchewan Rivers MLA Nadine Wilson has been charged with “common assault” and has stepped down as provincial secretary, according to a statement released by Premier Scott Moe on Friday.
In the statement, Moe said he was informed about the charge, which stems from “a private family matter,” on Thursday afternoon.
“Ms. Wilson maintains her innocence, and as the charges have not been proven in court, she will remain a member of the government caucus,” Moe wrote.
Saskatoon police said the alleged incident happened on March 21.
“We can confirm that an investigation was conducted by the Saskatoon Police Service and that two charges of assault were laid as a result,” Cst. Ryan Ehalt wrote in an email Friday. “She was arrested (Thursday) in Prince Albert by the Prince Albert Police Service after turning herself in.”
Wilson will make her first appearance in Saskatoon provincial court on Sept. 6.
980 CJME has reached out to Wilson, and is waiting to hear back for a comment on the matter.
NDP call for Wilson to be removed from caucus
After hearing the news of Wilson’s assault charge, NDP leader Ryan Meili called for her to be removed from caucus.
“When you don’t see the consequences for someone — even in the short-term as this is being resolved — it sends a message that this (Sask. Party) government doesn’t take (assault) as seriously as they should,” Meili said Friday afternoon.
“Now, while it’s before the courts, they should be removing her from caucus and she should be sitting as an independent as this is being resolved.”
Because the charge is laid against a public servant, Meili noted it’s no longer a private situation.
“It’s far from a personal matter at this point, it’s a matter of great public concern,” he said. “We would say that about any other crime and we shouldn’t treat domestic violence any differently.”
On Twitter, NDP Justice Critic Nicole Sarauer echoed Meili’s views on the situation.
“Any MLA who is charged with a crime should be removed from caucus until it has been resolved. The Premier needs to show leadership: Ms. Wilson can not represent the govt while this is ongoing,” she tweeted.
— With files from 650 CKOM’s Keenan Sorokan
