MLA removed from Sask. legislature during heated session
Nadine Wilson, the Independent MLA of Saskatchewan Rivers, was removed from the Saskatchewan legislature after refusing to apologize for comments made towards the government, following Wednesday’s fierce Question Period session.
Wilson was heard shouting over Minister of Energy and Resources Bronwyn Eyre’s ministerial statement immediately following Question Period.
The Speaker of the House requested that Wilson withdraw her statements and apologize for her “un-parliamentary language” three separate times.
Wilson refused and was escorted out of the house by the sergeant-at-arms.
“I didn’t expect today would be so volatile or that I would feel so passionate about ‘non-governance,’” Wilson told reporters after the incident. “Because I would like to see good governance.”
The incident warranted comments from other members on how decorum and civility is an issue within the house.
Premier Scott Moe criticized Wilson for the incident as well as past behavior during the session.
“This is a member that has periodically shown up in the house, and we see when she does show up she gets kicked out,” he said. “I don’t think she’s been present for one vote in the house, the most fundamental job that you do on behalf of your constituents.”
The premier admitted there has been issues with heckling in the house, but labeled it as a general, nationwide problem.
“There is heckling that happens, not only in this house but in the houses across the nation, including the federal parliament,” he said. “That being said, we do need to work, all of us, all sides, to keep that to a minimum.”
“This is a place to debate policy, not personalities, and I think it would do everyone good to just pause for a moment and remember that.”
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili suggested there is a double standard in the legislature surrounding which parliamentary rules apply to the government and which ones apply to the opposition and independent members.
“It is 100 per cent the rules apply to everyone but this government,” Meili said.
“I have many disagreements with Ms. Wilson but she is an elected member of this house, she is an independent member. She has the right to be there and to be treated the same way that every other member is treated.”
Passions flared multiple times within the house before Wilson was removed, with the speaker of the house forced to introduce several points of order over members making personal statements against other members and for using un-parliamentary language.
Wilson's expulsion from the house is in effect for one day only. She will be present for the last day of the spring session on Thursday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.