Addictions treatment, tailgating act among Sask. throne speech highlights

The Saskatchewan throne speech was delivered by the Lieutenant Governor on Wednesday. Wayne Mantyka has the details.

The Saskatchewan Party has outlined its priorities for the coming year, in its throne speech, choosing to focus on community safety matters and addictions while also promising new legislation on tailgating.

Wednesday marks the second throne speech since last year’s provincial election, which saw the Saskatchewan Party retain its grip on power.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday morning, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe elaborated on The Compassionate Intervention Act, which he hinted to during an event in Saskatoon on Tuesday.

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The proposed legislation would require those suffering from addictions and who pose a danger to others or themselves to enter a treatment program.

“Giving someone struggling with addiction more drugs is not the answer,” the speech read.

Moe said the act’s provisions would affect “a very small” number of people that fit the criteria.

“What we want to ensure is that they have the opportunity to access recovery services when they may be, unfortunately, living a life of addictions and possibly affiliated with some violence, or crime to support that life of addictions,” he said.

In her response to the throne speech, Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck said she agrees that there are a small number of cases where it’s appropriate to take people in to begin their path to recovery.

“I’ve certainly heard from parents who have lost their [adult] children to addiction, who wonder if maybe that could have been something that would have put them on that path. And as I said, I believe those with lived experience,” she said.

However, in the same breath, Beck criticized the province, arguing that over 18 years of Sask. Party rule, many addictions sufferers have been unable to access help.

“We did not see the resources available,” she said. “We saw many of those who have experience, who have the expertise, be ignored by this government.”

Other legislative goals under the safety banner include The Cyberstalking and Coercive Control Act and amendments to The Change of Name Act.

The cyberstalking legislation will amend the definition of “interpersonal violence” to include coercive or controlling behaviour in addition to online stalking and harassment while amendments to the Change of Name Act will look to prevent those convicted of serious crimes from changing their names.

Tailgating

In collaboration with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the provincial government hopes to introduce a new regulatory framework that will allow tailgating events at Mosaic Stadium prior to games.

“Much like we see in other leagues to the south of us, [these] tailgating events at Mosaic Stadium would be available prior to games to ensure the fans can have as much safe fun as possible,” Moe told reporters.

“While always, as we say, keeping our communities and our families safe.”

When asked about the proposed tailgating legislation, Beck criticized the government for seemingly ignoring key issues, citing health care and affordability as examples.

“You know, go Riders, go Jays. Nothing wrong with that, but what we do put in a throne speech, and what doesn’t appear in there, I think says a lot about a government,” she noted.

Trade relations

As trade disputes continue with both the U.S. and China, Moe said the province will be moving forward with further legislation, namely the Saskatchewan Internal Trade Promotion Act, aimed at removing trade barriers between Saskatchewan and other provinces.

Moe said the province will continue to aid the federal government in negotiations with the two nations, as Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector continues to feel the pain from 100 per cent tariffs on canola and other crops imposed by the Chinese.

Beck, however, argued that the province hasn’t been doing enough for producers who are bearing the brunt of the tariff’s effects.

“There’s no room to waffle,” she said. “There’s no room for nuance, and failure to have these tariffs removed will mean that the legacy of this premier will be closed canola crush plants, family farms on the auction block, lost jobs, and shrinking communities.”