Sask. MLA Greg Lawrence charged with assault

The Moose Jaw Police Service (MJPS) has revealed that Saskatchewan MLA Greg Lawrence is currently facing assault charges.

The charges stem from an investigation by MJPS into complaints of assault during interactions between two people. Police began investigating on June 27, 2023.

On Jan. 31, 2024, MJPS charged 58-year-old Lawrence with assault and assault by choking.

The Saskatchewan Party announced Tuesday that Lawrence had resigned from caucus due to an active police investigation into “historic complaints.” He will sit in the legislative assembly as an independent.

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On Wednesday, Lawrence's office said he would not be "available for a statement or interview" because he is still recovering from an August 2023 motorcycle crash. Lawrence did not attend the fall sitting of the legislative assembly due to his recovery.

Lawrence had previously announced in September that he would not run in the 2024 provincial election.

He has represented Moose Jaw Wakamow since 2011.

Lawrence is set to make his first appearance in court on March 18.

Speaking with CTV News on Wednesday, Moe echoed a previously released statement from the province – saying he was unaware of Lawrence’s situation until recently.

“I learned through the media of the charges against a former Saskatchewan Party Caucus MLA. He resigned from caucus,” Moe explained.

“My comment would be one of disappointment and concern. I don’t know the details of the situation and those will come out I suppose in time.”

The statement claimed the government learned Lawrence was under active police investigation and accepted his resignation from caucus on Tuesday.

“Our work will not be deterred and we will continue to focus on violence prevention initiatives to protect our families, our communities and our province,” the statement added.

Lawrence is now the second MLA in the past three months to leave the Saskatchewan Party Caucus while facing criminal charges.

Cutknife-Turtleford MLA Ryan Domotor was removed in November after he was allegedly caught trying to obtain sexual services in Regina.

'Two is a pattern'

In a news conference on Wednesday, Saskatchewan NDP Leader Carla Beck tore into the government – questioning the Premier’s leadership and the Sask. Party’s values.

“Saskatchewan people rightly hold their leaders to a higher standard. Scott Moe and the Sask. Party are supposed to be fighting crime, not committing them. One is a bad apple. Two is a pattern,” Beck said, referring to both Lawrence and Domotor.

The opposition also took issue with the timing of Lawrence’s resignation from caucus.

“I think the people of the province want answers and again the little that we do know on this, the criminal charges, the investigation going back seven months to June of last year – I think the people deserve answers,” Beck told reporters.

In her final comment, Beck labelled the government as an "old boys club."

“The Sask. Party has been in power for 16 years. The old boys club in the Legislature clearly thinks that the laws and rules don’t apply to them. Frankly, I think they’re in it for themselves and just not living up to the values we’re so proud of as Saskatchewan people,” Beck said.

“With the Sunrise Scandal and now this, this government is sure starting to look like the Devine Conservatives.”