Sask. NDP motions for investigation into Harrison’s conduct fail

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Government MLAs have shot down Opposition motions to appoint an independent investigator and call witnesses following allegations made by Speaker Randy Weekes against Jeremy Harrison.

In a House Services Committee meeting on Monday morning, three motions brought forward by NDP MLA Vicki Mowat failed, hampering attempts to formally address claims that Harrison sent harassing text messages to Weekes and investigate the time Harrison brought a long gun into the legislature.

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Weekes made the allegations during his end-of-session remarks last month, and on Monday said he was disappointed by what happened in committee.

“It reflects badly on the premier and on the government,” said Weekes.

“As Speaker I do not have the authority to appoint an independent investigator, the committee does,” he noted. “The Speaker’s authority over security was taken away by bill number 70 which was introduced by, guess who, Jeremy Harrison.”

Weekes also highlighted that the Legislative District Security Unit answers to the minister of corrections, which is currently Paul Merriman.

In his end-of-session lambaste, Weekes spoke of “intimidating and harassing” text messages allegedly sent to him by Harrison, who is minister of trade, export and development, as well as what he called the MLA’s “disturbing obsession with guns.” In those comments, Weekes said Harrison brought a gun into the legislative building, which he first denied but later admitted to after a conversation with family jogged his memory, resulting in his resignation as government house leader.

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“The stories keep changing. There are more questions than answers and that’s why we’re here,” said Mowat on Monday. “Saskatchewan people have many unanswered questions and they deserve answers.”

The first motion sought to call Premier Scott Moe, Harrison, current government house leader Lori Carr and senior adviser to the premier Reg Downs to appear before the committee to answer questions related to the allegations.

Minister of Energy and Resources Jim Reiter appeared on behalf of Carr, who sits on the committee, and said the government maintains its opposition to the motions.

“There’s proper process to follow here,” said Reiter. “We don’t believe this committee is the proper process.”

Reiter pointed to existing policies like the anti-harassment code of conduct, and said when it comes to the allegations of a weapon being brought into the building, that’s up to law enforcement.

NDP MLA Meara Conway appeared on behalf of Matt Love and said the harassment process is “ill suited” to get answers to the “long gun situation” as well as the “changing stories” from the premier and Harrison.

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Merriman, appearing in place of Harrison, moved an amendment to the original motion seeking to send complaints through the existing policy instead.

“This is the process that should be followed,” he argued.

Conway said the policy “can address some of the allegations made by the Speaker but not all.” She also noted that the policy process would be confidential, whereas the committee process would be public.

“These matters have now become a matter of public record, they have great interest to the public and it’s very disappointing to see this government try to push this into the shadows,” said Conway.

“Government is not trying to push this into the shadows, there’s (a) proper process to follow,” countered Reiter.

The amended motion passed, removing language from Mowat’s original motion that sought to call witnesses.

Mowat’s second motion asked for the appointment of an independent investigator to look into all allegations made by Weekes. That motion was defeated with no debate.

Mowat then offered another motion, which narrowed its focus to an investigation into the long gun brought into the building by Harrison. That motion also failed.

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“The harassment process is a confidential process. I don’t think they want the findings of that to see the light of day,” she said.

According to the anti-harassment policy, it only applies to sitting MLAs. Weekes is not running in the next provincial election.

“I would have faith in the law clerk to expedite things,” said Reiter when asked he if thought two-and-a-half months would be enough time for an investigation.

Weekes sits as the chair of the committee but recused himself at the start of the meeting, which saw NDP MLA and deputy chair Nicole Sarauer oversee Monday’s proceedings. Sask. Party MLAs Lisa Lambert and Darryl Harrison were also present for the meeting, the latter standing in for Greg Ottenbreit.

alsalloum@postmedia.com

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