Government MLAs block NDP bid to probe alleged harassment of Saskatchewan Speaker

Government MLAs have stymied an effortby the Official Opposition to separate fact from fiction regardingallegations of harassmentmade bySpeaker Randy Weekes.

TheHouse services committeemet for less than 30 minutes on Monday, with thegovernment majority quickly scuttling thebid.

"I'm disappointed, but I'm not surprised,"Saskatchewan NDP ethics critic Meara Conway said after the meeting."We've seen this as a pattern of conduct from a government that doesn't think the rules apply to them."

Last month, Weekes alleged he had beenharassed and intimidated by government members and staff.He also alleged thatformer government House leader,Jeremy Harrison,brought a firearm into the Saskatchewan Legislativebuilding at some point in the past.

After initially denying all allegations, Harrison would later admit that he hadbrought a hunting rifle into the building. He then resigned as government House leader.

The NDP had attempted to call Premier ScottMoe, Jeremy Harrison, Lori Carr and others to answer questions about allegations made by the Speaker.

That was amended by government MLAs, who say there is a clear path for Weekes to take: File a complaint under the legislature's anti-harassment code of conduct.

"If the Speaker determines he wishes to, he could do that today and the process would start," said Energy Minister Jim Reiter. "It goes to the intake officer, who's the law clerk. He makes a determination of whether or not an independent third party should do an investigation or not."

The policy does have limits.An allegation is supposedbe filed within 90 days of the most recent incident.

Reiter told media that hehe wasn't worried about time expiring, saying he believed the events referred to in theSpeaker's latest complaints would fall within the 90-day limit.Reiter also pointed to a clause that extended the time limit due to extenuating circumstances.

There is also another clock ticking down on any potential investigation. The investigative process stops once the legislature is dissolved for an election. and aninvestigation ends completely if an individual is no longer an MLA.

Saskatchewan is heading for a provincial election later this year.

NDP MLAs also pointed out that an investigation into a harassment complaint is completely confidential. That meansthe public would not know whether a complaint has been made or whether it's being investigated.

Reiter maintained the complaint is the correct avenue to pursue an investigation.

Conway said the Opposition is looking at other options on how to purure their investigation,including whether they can take things up at another committee.

She admitted that would not remove the obstacle of a Saskatchewan Party majority rejecting the NDP's motions.