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A change is coming to an important role at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building, but there are questions over the timing.
Terry Quinn has resigned as the sergeant-at-arms, a position he has held since the summer of 2016.
The sergeant-at-arms oversees security in the building, which has been the case since 1984. It is an independent position that answers to the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, not political parties.
In the fall, the government introduced Bill 70, which would strip the position of all that responsibility. Bill 70 would see security for the building transfer to someone appointed by the government.
The sergeant-at-arms would become a largely ceremonial role, limited to security within the chamber where the MLAs sit.
“Mr. Quinn resigned and he did not give any reasons for his resignation and of course we wish him well and thank him for his service. We are carrying on. I can’t comment on — there is legislation that is pending,” Randy Weekes, speaker of the Legislature, said in a phone call.
The government has faced criticism for the proposed change that will be debated in the upcoming spring sitting.
“This resignation, after the introduction of Bill 70 which would remove the independence of the Legislative security, continues a troubling pattern from this government,” Opposition NDP Justice Critic Nicole Sarauer said in a news release.
“We are losing capable leaders, as we did with (former Saskatchewan Health Authority CEO) Scott Livingstone, as a result of the political interference of this government. This Sask. Party government needs to shelve its plan for a partisan security force and scrap Bill 70.”
Sean Darling has been appointed to the role; he had been Quinn’s deputy.
