As more than 200 protesters gathered in front of the Legislative Building, the government cancelled the public outdoor portion of the Speech from the Throne ceremonies.
Article content
A former Saskatchewan Party MLA who departed caucus over a vaccination dispute spoke Wednesday at a rally opposing public health measures, just as it derailed an outdoor ceremony amid safety concerns.
Nadine Wilson is now the independent member for Saskatchewan Rivers, after resigning last month from the government caucus for what she called a “conviction” about personal choice and what the government called “misrepresenting” her vaccine status. As she arrived to take her seat in the chamber, she earned wild applause from more than 200 demonstrators gathered at the steps of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building.
“I’m sorry that the government has taken away the ability so you could work to pay your mortgage,” she said during a brief address to the unmasked demonstrators.
“I see all of you is the power of the people,” Wilson added. “Every one of you are powerful, and you’re God’s children, and you’re here for the right reason. I admire you. I thank you for coming out. I have to go in now and enter the chamber. I will work for you.”
Wilson told the Leader-Post she attended the rally to show she supported the protesters amid public health measures she views as a violation of Charter rights, including requirements for proof of vaccine or negative tests.
Yet Wilson, who retains a seat as an independent member, said she would follow those measures to gain entry to the legislature. Only then can she make member statements and ask questions about what she sees as the “erosion of rights.”
“I’m complying with their mandates in order to do the people’s work,” she said.
She said she does not view herself as a standard bearer for the anti-vaccine mandate movement, though she acknowledged that the demonstrators and constituents asked her to be their voice. “How can I say no?” she said.
Immediately before Wilson addressed the rally, the government announced that a planned outdoor ceremony featuring Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty and Premier Scott Moe was cancelled “in light of recent threats and on the advice of security officials.” Those had plans included a vice-regal salute and inspection of a Canadian Forces Honour Gurad, a 15-gun salute by the 10th field regiment and a fly-past by 15 Wing Moose Jaw.
The pomp and pageantry was set to take place where the demonstrators gathered. Mirasty instead entered the Legislative Building through a back door.
Jeremy Harrison, the government house leader, said the protesters were so “assertive” and “aggressive” that their presence raised concerns that the safety of the participants could not be assured.
Demonstrators later chanted a demand for Moe to show himself. Some carried signs warning of totalitarianism or accusing “corrupt politicians” of having blood on their hands.
Wilson’s remarks drew swift condemnation from both the NDP Opposition and her former colleagues in the Saskatchewan Party caucus. Harrison called it “disappointing.”
“I profoundly disagree with what that member’s position is, as far as anti vaccination and agreeing with what the protesters are putting forward,” he said. “I think it was very, very unfortunate.”
He said Wilson may well be entitled to ask a couple questions per week, but there will need to be a discussion between Wilson, the Opposition and the Speaker on that matter.
NDP Leader Ryan Meili said the matter is still under negotiation. He criticized Wilson’s attendance at the rally, but also tried to link her views to those of the government.
“I would ask her and the folks who are outside today to stop and think, because they’re not making sense,” Meili said. “The things that Nadine Wilson is saying, the things that Scott Moe has left space for, are not right.”
When the Saskatchewan Party caucus announced Wilson’s resignation in late September , Wilson neither confirmed nor denied accusations that she misrepresented her status. But in the run-up to her speech on Wednesday, she said she never disclosed her status and posited that the government must have assumed.
As she concluded her speech, Wilson urged the demonstrators to return home or to their jobs. “We don’t have jobs,” a few protesters responded.
She shook hands, mounted the stairs, gave a wave and entered the legislative building, where she met a commissionaire in the vestibule.
She presented a paper and entered, venturing to her seat in a remote corner of the chamber.
Protest against SIS also Wednesday
The anti-mandate protest wasn’t the only one taking place outside the Legislative Building on Wednesday.
Across the parking lot, another group of demonstrators — mostly in masks — gathered to target changes to the Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program that advocates say has created the need for Regina’s Camp Marjorie.
Members of the camp met earlier in the week with Social Services Minister Lori Carr in a bid to find solutions, especially as colder weather poses even more challenges to living in a tent. This week, one person from Camp Marjorie died from a suspected overdose.
A similar protest against SIS was also held Wednesday in Saskatoon.
At the end of August, SIS fully replaced the existing Social Assistance Program and the Transitional Employment Allowance. Since then, front-line workers in community-based organizations say they’ve seen a marked rise in evictions and homelessness, as payments for rent and utilities no longer go directly to landlords and utility service providers, but to the applicants.
People hold signs and shout in a large gathering in front of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building in Regina, Saskatchewan on Oct. 27, 2021. The gathering was a demonstration against proof of vaccine mandates and other pandemic measures.
Government scraps outdoor throne speech ceremony over security concerns | Regina Leader Post
No comments:
Post a Comment