REGINA — It was a more sombre and reflective Question Period for MLAs in the legislature on Thursday.
Thursday marked Red Dress Day, the National Day of Awareness for Murdered and Missing Women and Girls. Several MLAs were seen wearing red in the legislature in commemoration of the day, and there was also a considerable contingent in the gallery there on the issue.
The main discussion Thursday surrounded a “motion of urgent and pressing necessity” moved by Minister of Justice Gord Wyant following Question Period. That motion called on the Legislative Assembly to “support the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in regard to the articles of the Declaration to Honour Indigenous Women and Girls.”
The motion was supported by MLAs from both parties by a vote of 45 to zero.
During Question Period earlier, however, the discussion revolved around how committed the government actually was to following through with action on Indigenous issues. The opposition pressed the government not only on MMIWG, but also on the search for missing five-year old Frank Young of Red Earth Cree Nation that is ongoing,
Opposition Leader Ryan Meili pointed out that no one had reached out from the government to go to Red Earth Cree Nation. He accused the government of “not show[ing] up.”
Premier Scott Moe responded that the minister of Public Safety had been in contact with the family members and said officials were working hard “on a very tragic situation.” He noted it was a worthy conversation on the floor of the legislature.
“Sometimes showing you care means showing up,” Meili responded, to applause from those in the gallery.
Meili noted the premier “had time to dress up as a helicopter pilot on the weekend. He’s jetting off to Dubai, months after his jobs minister went there as a travel scout.” He accused the premier of giving no indication of visiting “a Saskatchewan community in crisis.”
The applause for Meili from the gallery drew a swift rebuke from Speaker Randy Weekes.
Moe responded by pointing to the government being “broadly supportive” of the FSIN’s five articles in their declaration to honour Indigenous women and girls. Moe said that immediately after Question Period, Minister Wyant would be asking for unanimous support for the government working closely with the FSIN and supporting them to achieve the goals in the five articles.
Moe further said he would be reaching out “in short order” to the chief of Red Earth Cree Nation.
Later, in an exchange with Wyant, Saskatoon Centre MLA Betty Nippi-Albright demanded the government commit to action on missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
“We need to continue to stop failing these women, stop failing these families and commit to doing more than just nice words.”
In response Justice Minister Gord Wyant responded the government “is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all Saskatchewan residents.” He also said the government was the first to support the inquiry into missing and murdered women and girls.
“The people of Saskatchewan should make no mistake about this government's commitment to deal with a very, very serious issue.”
