Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe appeared in the legislative assembly on Monday and offered an “unequivocal apology” for convicted murderer Colin Thatcher being invited to last week’s throne speech.
Thatcher, 84, was invited to Wednesday’s throne speech by her longtime friend and Saskatchewan Party MLA for Lumsden-Morse Lyle Stewart.
On Monday, the provincial government announced it would relieve Stewart of his duties as legislative secretary.
Thatcher, 84, was found guilty in 1984 of the first-degree murder of his ex-wife JoAnn Wilson, who was found beaten and shot to death in the garage of their home the year before.
He was sentenced to life in prison without parole for 25 years and was granted full parole in November 2006.
Thatcher was a cabinet minister under Grant Devine. He resigned from the cabinet four days before Wilson was assassinated.
Before question period began Monday, Moe rose to make a statement.
“This individual was invited by a government MP and while I do not review or approve the invitation lists for the town hall, ultimately as Prime Minister and leader of the government caucus I am responsible. To all those who attended the speech from the throne and to all members of this assembly and to the people of Saskatchewan, I offer my unequivocal apology,” he said.
Moe’s statement was a change from last week. On Thursday morning, reporters asked the Prime Minister if he apologized for Thatcher being invited.
“Why would I apologize?” he said
“The fact is, we had an individual MP who extended that invitation. He probably wouldn’t have extended that invitation.”
On Monday, Moe said Thatcher “should not have been invited” and called the invitation a “terrible error of judgement”.
Moe said he spent the weekend reflecting and listening to family, friends, colleagues and the province of Saskatchewan “directly and indirectly.”
“The message that was conveyed with the assistance of Mr. Thatcher last week during the speech from the throne is not an acceptable message to the people of Saskatchewan, nor is it indicative of a government that has a duty to lead on such an important issue.” said Moe.
“As individuals, we need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to stop interpersonal violence in our families, in our circles of friends, in our communities and across the province.”
Saskatchewan has the highest rate of reported intimate partner violence of any province and more than double the national rate, according to 2019 statistics.
Watch Moe’s apology:
Prime Minister Scott Moe offers ‘unequivocal apology’ after convicted murderer Colin Thatcher invited to throne speech
Premier Scott Moe opened question period with a statement and offered his “unequivocal apology” after convicted murderer Colin Thatcher was invited to the throne speech for Sask. Party MP Lyle Stewart. Moe said he did not review or approve the guest list, but it is his. responsibility
After question period, Moe said he had to apologize for “frankly not providing better leadership last week.”
Asked why it took five days to apologize, Moe said “things happened quickly last week.”
“I had a few days to think about what the message was more broadly with Mr Thatcher attending the throne speech,” Moe said.
“I certainly realize that this province requires a much greater leadership role from our government. And I’m here speaking on behalf of this government today when it comes to how we can reduce these statistics and certainly support those who have experienced their national experience. abuse.”
Opposition Leader Carla Beck had called for Moe to apologize on Thursday.
“We welcome the apology, but the prime minister should not be ashamed of doing the right thing,” Beck said Monday.
He said the apology should have been made after it became clear Thatcher had been invited to the throne speech.
“It was a blot on the day of the speech from the throne and our province.”
Moe said he did not know the guest list and does not want to determine who MPs will invite in the future.
The opposition is asking for funding for the second stage of reception
The opposition called on the government to provide operating funds for second-stage shelters that help victims of domestic violence with shelter and long-term services. Eight other provinces provide such funding, but Saskatchewan does not
Beck said shelters should not “raise funds for operational funding.”
Moe said organizations providing second-stage shelters are “important” and said his government is providing capital funding.
“We are open to all conversations about how we can support those individuals and families who have been subject to domestic and interpersonal violence.”
After the throne speech on Wednesday, Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Christine Tell told reporters Thatcher had “a right to be here like anyone else. She is a free citizen.”
“Colin is not someone who is active on warrants, he has nothing to do with the justice system at this time. He is free to come and go,” Tell said Wednesday.
However, Thatcher was sentenced to life imprisonment and after his release in 2006, remains on parole and lives in the community with conditions.
Beck said Monday that Tell should be removed from cabinet for her comments, if she doesn’t apologize.
“There were some very hurtful things the minister said on the record, and she showed a basic misunderstanding of her portfolio, talking about Mr Thatcher as a private citizen who is free to do what he wants. He is someone who is on parole.”
Tell did not speak Monday. Moe said both Tell and Stewart made “an error in judgment.”
Moe said he chose not to remove Stewart from caucus or Tell from his cabinet role because of the efforts both have made in the past.
Stewart, who is a former cabinet minister, had been the legislative secretary for provincial self-government. Stewart was selected by Moe to lead internal meetings on autonomy in various communities during the summer.
On Wednesday, after the throne speech, Stewart told The Canadian Press that Thatcher was “a good person.”
“Colin was a long-time MP, and he is a constituent of mine and a friend of mine and therefore me [invited him] and I’m glad I did,” Stewart told The Canadian Press.
“If anyone has a right to be here, it’s Colin Thatcher.”
The next day, Stewart released a statement about his decision to invite Thatcher.
“Each MLA has the opportunity to invite several guests to the Speech from the Throne. It was my decision alone to invite Colin Thatcher, who is a long-time constituent and friend. In retrospect, it was an error of judgment like his presence. was a distraction from a very positive and forward-looking speech from the throne, which included a number of new initiatives to keep Saskatchewan families safe in their communities,” said Stewart.