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Unruly day at the Sask. Legislature: Harpauer apologizes, Harrison storms out

Aishwarya Dudha | CBC News | Posted: April 16, 2024 1:10 AM | Last Updated: April 16

Sask. finance minister asked to apologize after sending texts to Speaker

Image | Randy Weekes

Caption: Sask. Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Randy Weekes reading texts from Finance Minister Donna Harpauer accusing him of letting legislature become an 'Opposition puppet show.' (Sask. Legislative Assembly)

It was an unruly afternoon at the Saskatchewan Legislature Building on Monday.
Before question period began, Speaker Randy Weekes told both government MLAs and the Opposition to cool off on inflammatory statements.
Weekes read a review of incidents from last week, including when he gave Sask. Party MLA and Government House Leader Jeremy Harrison a stern rebuke for suggesting an opposing member was lying, something Weekes called unparliamentary behaviour.
WATCH | Weekes rebukes Harrison last week:

Media Video | CBC News Saskatchewan : 'Don't slouch': Saskatchewan's speaker of legislative assembly rebukes MLA for disrespect

Caption: Saskatchewan Party MLA Jeremy Harrison was forced to apologize twice in the legislative assembly on Monday after failing to properly stand up for the first one. The speaker of the legislative assembly, Randy Weekes, gave Harrison a stern rebuke.

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Later Monday, Weekes rose to tell the house he had received "hundreds" of text messages from several government MLAs.
He then took out his cellphone and read a message he said was from Finance Minister Donna Harpauer.
"Randy, if you can blatantly lie, tarnish reputations of elected and unelected individuals with innuendoes, but no proof, we have no avenue to push back. Then, this assembly has become a joke and a stage for an Opposition puppet show. Disappointing," Weekes read, before speaking directly to Harpauer.
"First of all, if you want to make a point of order, get on your feet."
Weekes asked Harpauer to apologize, which she did.
WATCH | A wild afternoon in Saskatchewan's legislative assembly:

Media | Text messages and tantrums: a wild afternoon in Saskatchewan's legislative assembly

Caption: The Speaker called out Finance Minister Donna Harpauer for sending him a private text message during the legislative assembly that suggested his ruling on a matter made the assembly a "joke." When he took her to task, she apologized, followed by an outburst by the trade minister.

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Things soon got more heated. Harrison seemed frustrated after Harpauer's apology and said something that Weekes heard, although it was inaudible on the online feed from the chamber.
Weekes stood up again and said, "I ask the government house leader to stand and apologize for that comment too. I'm not deaf."
Harrison said, "I won't," and stormed out of the legislature.

Image | Jeremy Harrison

Caption: Sask. Party MLA Jeremy Harrison stormed out of the legislature after being asked to apologize for his comments. (Sask. Legislative Assembly)

At times shaking as he spoke, Weekes said Harrison would be ejected for the rest of the day.
Weekes has been a Sask Party MLA since 1999, but will not be running for the party in the upcoming provincial election after losing the nomination for the Biggar-Sask Valley riding.

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