'Unequivocally false': Sask. premier says of legislative Speakers' claims of harassment, intimidation
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says claims of intimidation and harassment by legislative Speaker Randy Weekes are “unequivocally false.”
During closing remarks at Spring Session on Thursday, the outgoing Weekes said numerous Sask. Party members harassed and proceeded to try and intimidate him during his time as speaker.
Weekes specifically signalled out Government House Leader Jeremy Harrison.
According to Weekes, Harrison would text him during debates and question period and also make gestures towards him that included flashing his suit jacket.
Weekes said that made him wonder if Harrison was carrying a handgun after he said it became apparent the Government House Leader had an “obsession with guns.”
According to Weekes, Harrison had expressed an interest in getting approval to carry a handgun with him while in the legislative building and on another occasion brought a hunting rifle with him.
Weekes also pointed to situations where he was texted by MLA Lori Carr and physically intimidated by others at party functions.
Moe, who announced a new advanced education minister on Friday, said he followed up with Harrison after the comments Weekes made on Thursday and determined they are not true.
“I did follow up a little bit with the member that many of the accusations were directed at and I’ve been informed that they are all unequivocally false, unequivocally false,” Moe said.
Moe said Weekes is an individual who was running as a member of the Sask. Party until last December and then after that ended, seemed to raise concerns with other party members in a unique way.
“I don’t quite understand where the concerns are coming from, I don’t discount that maybe the Speaker has some concerns, I just don’t understand how it has not been concerns that have been discussed either with Sergeant at Arms, legislative security, myself, [or] caucus chairs,” Moe said.
According to Moe, the Sask. Party has a caucus management committee that can address “issues” between members of the party.
“The method in which this has all come to a front is just as shocking for me as anyone else and I just don’t have an explanation,” Moe said.
When asked which accusations in particular Moe thought were false, he said he was not referring to the text messages sent to Weekes by Harrison and Carr.
“He told me that the allegations were false,” Moe reiterated.
Harrison, who was supposed to be in attendance at another government event on Friday, was not present. Moe said he wasn’t aware Harrison had an event he was scheduled to be at on Friday and again said he was informed the allegations made by Weekes were false.
“I don’t see a reason for it, I don’t see the reason why someone would want to bring a firearm into the building,” Moe said, adding there are guns already inside the legislative building for security purposes.
“The security personnel carry firearms and Sergeant at Arms has at times carried a firearm as well, so there is ample security in the building,” he added.
“A member of the legislature or a ministry official that might be bringing a firearm into the building, if there’s a reason for it I supposed they could justify that reason, if there’s no reason I don’t feel like they belong in there.”
Moe also said it was not true that Harrison yelled, “Open carry, open carry next” when discussions around firearms acts were being held in the legislature, adding there is currently no government discussions about changing gun laws in the province.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6977430.1721929538!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
'There's mom and dad's house': New video appears to show destruction of Jasper neighbourhood
Video posted to social media on Thursday morning appears to show the charred remains of a Jasper, Alta., neighbourhood.
LIVE UPDATES Multiple homes, businesses 'lost' to wildfire in Jasper National Park: Parks Canada
Officials from Parks Canada and Jasper say "multiple structures, including a number of businesses and homes, in and around the town of Jasper, have been lost" to wildfire in Jasper National Park.
Alberta premier says a third, perhaps half, of all Jasper buildings destroyed by fire
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says early reports indicate a third and perhaps up to half of all buildings in the historic Rocky Mountain resort town of Jasper have been destroyed in a wildfire.
Prince William's 2023 salary revealed in new report
Newly released financial reports show that William, the Prince of Wales, drew a salary of $42.1 million last fiscal year, his first since inheriting the vast and lucrative Duchy of Cornwall.
Canada to bring home fewest Olympic medals since 2012, according to forecaster
Fewer Canadians are expected to reach the Paris podium than in the previous two Olympic Summer Games, a global data analytics company predicts.
Former judge with disputed Cree heritage likely has Indigenous DNA: law society
The Law Society of British Columbia says a DNA test shows a former judge and Order of Canada recipient accused of falsely claiming to be Cree "most likely" has Indigenous heritage.
Tourist suffers 3rd-degree burns to feet after losing flip flops amid soaring temperatures in Death Valley
A tourist was hospitalized after suffering serious burns on his feet on Saturday when he lost his flip flops at a U.S. national park where temperatures soared past 48 Celsius.
Jennifer Aniston criticizes JD Vance for 'childless cat ladies' remarks: 'I pray that your daughter is fortunate enough to bear children'
Jennifer Aniston is criticizing JD Vance for comments he made in his past about women without children.
'Skibidi Toilet:' If you don't know what it is, you will
'Skibidi Toilet' is already an internet sensation and now its about to get even more exposure after the YouTube series is being developed for TV and film, according to a report by Variety.