Throne speech to start Sask. fall legislative sitting Wednesday

Saskatchewan MLAs return to the legislature Wednesday for the official start of the new session with the speech from the throne.

Lieutenant Governor Russell Mirasty will read the government's throne speech at around 2 p.m. CST.

Premier Scott Moe recalled the legislature early two weeks ago to introduce the government's new parents' rights legislation. Last week, members spent more than 40 hours discussing the issue before the bill passed on Friday afternoon.

On Friday, Moe said the bill was about "providing parents the right — not the opportunity — to support their children in the formative years of their life."

The Opposition argued against aspects of the bill, specifically the clause that required children under 16 to receive parental consent to be addressed by different gender-related name or pronoun at school. The government members voted down NDP amendments to the bill.

Given the high-profile nature of the government's new law and the inclusion of the notwithstanding clause to protect against legal challenges, the debate over the legislation will likely bleed into the fall sitting.

Both the government and Opposition have hinted at priorities they will focus on over the next seven weeks. The government's agenda will become clearer with the speech from the throne on Wednesday afternoon.

Moe provided a few hints on Friday, saying the government agenda, "will all be very much focused on continuing to build and protect what we have built in the province of Saskatchewan with respect to the economy, our communities and ultimately our families."

The word "protect" has taken the place of "growth" in Moe's recent speeches and interviews.

"We will continue to focus on protecting Saskatchewan families when it comes to affordability measures that this government has in place, particularly in the area of housing," Moe said Friday.

"We will see the next steps under the Saskatchewan First Act to protect that Saskatchewan economy from federal government intrusion in areas like energy production and electrical generation."

He also said the government would be working to protect communities from drugs and addiction.

Moe said the government will also be looking at "innovative" ways to provide health care across the province.

Beck points to affordability as a priority

Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck said Tuesday that the government should be focused on affordability.

"In the speech from the throne, it would be my hope and it would be my expectation that we see the government start to reflect the concerns that are top of mind for people across this province."

Beck said the government's Saskatchewan First Act, introduced last year, and the intention to potentially create a Saskatchewan Revenue Agency are not priority issues in her mind.

"Last year we saw the government pile on 32 fees and taxes and increased power bills three times. While people are struggling, that needs to be the top priority."

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck speaks at a rally against the provincial government's use of the notwithstanding clause to shield its controversial pronoun policy from court challenges. (Alexander Quon/CBC)

Beck pointed to health care concerns like access to family doctors and long wait times in emergency rooms.

"The conditions are overcrowded and they're overworked. It needs attention. It demands attention."

Beck said in education, her caucus is concerned about classroom size, infrastructure and student supports.

"They brought us in for an emergency session to deal with a problem that frankly most people didn't know was even an issue. We need that sense of emergency for our emergency rooms. We need that sense of urgency for the cost of living."