Sask. Speaker appeals for parties to set better example after increase in heckling, interruptions
CBC
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature has called for both parties in the chamber to set a better example after an increase in heckling and interruptions.
Speaker Todd Goudy rose before question period on Wednesday to deliver an impassioned six-minute speech.
"We all know what's right and what's wrong," he said.
"I am challenging us to raise our bars because the province is watching. The people are watching and we need to be the example of what they expect in this place."
Since the legislature resumed earlier this month, Goudy has repeatedly admonished both parties for what he has described as an increase in heckling and bad behaviour.
Goudy has previously described the issue as having gotten worse when compared to the fall sitting. Goudy has also apologized multiple times to the school tours and guests who attend question period for the heckling and interruptions they have to sit through.
On Wednesday, he also promised to be "more firm moving forwards" when enforcing rules.
What that will look like didn't become immediately clear. Goudy did direct multiple MLAs — mostly from the Opposition — to come to order during question period.
His request came after the NDP raised a point of order earlier this week.
Opposition House Leader Nicole Sarauer asked the Speaker to have Premier Scott Moe's comments about a controversial fundraising email from the NDP ruled out of order.
The email, sent by newly-appointed campaign manager Jeremy Nolais, asked party supporters to picture the faces “you hate so much. Scott Moe. Tim McLeod. Jeremy Harrison. Jeremy Cockrill."
Moe has accused the NDP of promoting hate in the fundraising email, and has used it to deflect questions raised by the Opposition in question period.
Moe also called for Nolais to be fired. Beck rejected that request.
This week, Sarauer challenged Moe's comments on the grounds they did not the answer the questions asked by the NDP during question period and were not relevant to the government's business in the legislature.
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