Sask. premier accuses NDP of aiding protest that disrupted legislature
Premier Scott Moe is accusing the official opposition of helping orchestrate the recent shutdown at the Saskatchewan legislature, while NDP leader Carla Beck says Moe is drawing attention away from the fact one of his MLAs was criminally charged.
“In light of what occurred yesterday, which was very troubling, the first time to my knowledge in the history of the province that government operations have actually been shut down in this house due to actions of many,” Moe told reporters on Tuesday.
Proceedings were disrupted on Monday when hundreds of pro-Palestinian protestors filled the public galleries of the assembly and began shouting “ceasefire now” in reference to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
After several attempts to regain control – Speaker of the House Randy Weekes eventually paused the session and MLAs left the chamber.
Over the course of an hour, the protestors were ushered out by legislative security.
The atmosphere was described as tense by those present in the rotunda.
During debate on Tuesday, Moe labelled the disruptive action as “extremist.”
In his comments, Moe alleged that members of the opposition aided the protestors.
“At least one member of the NDP caucus that was involved in sharing some of the social media posts and organizing the event yesterday,” Moe explained.
Saskatchewan New Democratic Leader Carla Beck was quick to rebuke the premier’s assertions.
“This is one of very few days that we get to bring forth the concerns of people of this province. Question period is our one opportunity to lead that,” she explained.
“Some of our members met people as they came into the building. But there was no role by any NDP opposition MLAs organizing that event.”
Beck framed Moe's messaging as a convenient way to change the channel after Cut Knife-Turtleford MLA Ryan Domotor was removed from the Saskatchewan Party caucus after he was nabbed in a Regina police sting last week.
"I certainly understand why the premier would be wanting to talk about anything other than the fact that one of one of his members, a sitting MLA, was caught up in a sex trafficking sting," Beck said.
MLA NDP for Saskatoon University Jennifer Bowes believes the government is directing its accusations at her.
She stood at her desk in solidarity with the protesters after the chanting began but before MLAs vacated the chamber.
“There have been a number of unfounded allegations that the government has made against both myself personally and other members of the opposition, which I look forward to seeing the outcome of the process that will unfold,” she said.
In her comments to reporters, Bowes reiterated that Saskatchewan residents have a right to voice their displeasure at their elected assembly.
“I think, as elected officials, we should be encouraging people to come here and to peacefully express their discontent if they do not agree with what the government is doing,” Bowes added.
“The demonstration yesterday was peaceful. To my knowledge, there was nothing that happened here today that was threatening or violent, and I think it is a legitimate expression of people's concern.”
The government has filed a motion which could lead to fact finding. The speaker will soon rule whether there are grounds on which to proceed.
--With files from Josh Lynn
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6940954.1719356980!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Smith tells Trudeau Alberta will opt out of federal dental plan
Alberta is opting out of the federal dental plan, the premier told the Canadian government late Tuesday afternoon.
One of Canada's most popular vehicles recalled over transmission issue; 95,000 impacted
One of the country's most popular vehicles is being recalled in Canada due to a transmission issue that may impact tens of thousands of drivers.
WikiLeaks' Assange pleads guilty in deal with U.S. that secures his freedom, ends legal fight
WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has pleaded guilty to obtaining and publishing U.S. military secrets in a deal with Justice Department prosecutors that secures his liberty and concludes a drawn-out legal saga that raised divisive questions about press freedom and national security.
'We need to regroup,' says Liberal minister and Ontario campaign co-chair in light of byelection loss
A member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet and the party's Ontario co-chair for the next campaign says the Liberals 'need to regroup' after a shocking overnight byelection loss to Pierre Poilievre's Conservatives.
Pre-med students can't take MCAT in Quebec because of Bill 96
Areeba Ahmed says she's always dreamed of becoming a surgeon but her road to the operating room has become a complicated one ever since Quebec's French language law came into effect.
Protesters try to topple Queen Victoria statue near pro-Palestinian encampment in Montreal
Montreal police were called to intervene after protesters attempted to tear down the Queen Victoria statue at Victoria Square.
Cup Noodles serves up notoriously poisonous pufferfish
Pufferfish is regarded as a luxury in Japan and a meal featuring the potentially poisonous delicacy can easily cost up to 20,000 yen (US$125) at high-end restaurants.
'Truly a great British Columbian': Former B.C. premier John Horgan has cancer again
Former B.C. premier and current Canadian ambassador to Germany John Horgan has been diagnosed with cancer for a third time.
New experience in Halifax gets people up close and personal to the ocean's most feared predator
Atlantic Shark Expeditions launched a new shark cage experience which gives brave attendees a chance to get up close and personal with the oceans most feared predator.