2 weeks Ago By Jocelyn Bennett, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Former Saskatchewan Party with Social Services went from $1,309 before he became an MLA in 2020 to $731,194 during his one term in government — a breach of conflict of interest regulations for which the commissioner requires the MLAs to decide punishment. Grewal is now enjoying a sizeable taxpayer-funded MLA’s “transition payment” — likely amounting to half a year’s worth of the six-figure annual MLA’s salary — but Premier Scott Moe and new Social Services Minister Terry Jenson see no reason to harass him over this. It would set a precedent to call a “private citizen” back to the legislature to account for what the Conflict of Interest Commission says is a violation, Moe and Jenson said on Thursday.
It would similarly be unprecedented, Moe further suggested to reporters, to hold an emergency debate on the high costs of fresh fruit, vegetables, dairy products and other groceries in the north that are contributing to an . After all, why would we waste our time with such silly emergency motions and meetings demanding accountability as to why northerners can’t afford decent food when we pretty much already know the problem is a federal Liberal government driving everyone to the poorhouse? Moe then launched into criticism of Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the need for an immediate federal election that will solve everything. A quick perusal of the public record suggests that is not unprecedented.
Of course, this all was shortly before the premier’s important reply in favour of a throne speech whose theme is all about the “new beginning” we’ve heard so much about . New beginnings. But not precedents.
Sigh. This new beginning for the Saskatchewan Party government is beginning with the same old obstructionist tactics to avoid accountability. Of course, the more cynical among us would say those who bought into Moe’s lip-service codswallop about doing things differently after 17 years were being hopelessly naive.
But, golly, he seemed sincere ...
until this second week of the 30th legislature’s first sitting, when the Sask. Party returned to its old tricks. In a seemingly “new beginning” good-faith gesture, the NDP texted new Government House Leader Tim McLeod to give him a heads up that they would be bringing forward an emergency motion to compel Grewal to answer questions before the newly struck Human Services Committee and would similarly be requesting an emergency committee examination of high northern food costs.
Sadly, the new beginning met a familiar sad, old ending. Instead of recognizing the always meek and demure NDP MLA Meara Conway so she could move her motion, new government MLA committee chair Michael Weger recognized Energy Minister Colleen Young, who adjourned the meeting. “On this side, we take ending government profiteering seriously,” Conway said in question period the next day.
Alas, she was rebuked by new Speaker Todd Goudy for her “very excusatory” remarks about a private citizen — you know, the former MLA who the conflict of interest commissioner found in breach and who should have his punishment meted out by MLAs. “The individual across the way should know the individual (Grewal) is a private citizen,” Jenson responded. “That’s where it should stay.
” And that’s where the Sask. Party majority is ensuring it stays. Later on Thursday, the NDP again tried to put forth an emergency motion on both forcing Grewal to appear at the legislature and on holding an emergency debate on high food prices in the north.
The Sask. Party used its majority to block both, despite McLeod’s suggestion the day before that in no way was his government blocking attempts to hold Grewal accountable. Any of this seem familiar to you? Avoiding scrutiny of the wrongdoing of one of its own members? Skirting around dealing with a serious food and health issue and somehow blaming the lack of a federal election for it? Evidently, this is what we now call a new beginning.
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