Moe clarifies stance on chemtrails, says he doesn't believe in conspiracy theory
Premier says event in Speers, Sask., was opportunity to listen to constituents
This week Premier Scott Moe addressed his comments at a meeting last month in his constituency, clarifying that he does not believe in a conspiracy theory that chemicals are being dumped from airplanes on the population as part of a secret program.
"I actually don't believe in chemtrails," Moe said after a speech at the Farm Progress Show in Regina on Tuesday.
In April, Moe spoke at an event in Speers, Sask.,a community in his constituency of Rosthern-Shellbrook.
Video of the meeting was posted online and Moe received criticism from the Opposition NDP for not refuting a conspiracytheory about chemtrailsand another conspiracy theory that the Saskatchewan Health Authority engaged in a "delivery system for biological weapons" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Moe told reporters the question was not specific to chemtrails and that he interpreted it as a question about airplane pollution.
"When it comes to the jets that are flying over our area there, there is pollution that is coming out of those jets and that's something that we do need to pay attention to," Moe said.
Moe said he went to the event because of his responsibilities as an elected official in the area.
"I happen to be the leader of the party.I'm the premier and I'm an MLA that represents the people that live in my constituency. When I'm invited to go out and listen to them, I'm going to," Moe said.
He said some at the meeting came from outside the area.
"There was a number of people that drove a long distance to come, as it turned out, to ask some questions."
According to the mayor of Speers, the event was not organized or hosted by either the village or the rural municipality.
Initially, the government said Moe was invited by the mayor, but the mayor told CBC that some community members rented out the hall.
Moe said he was mistaken in indicating he had been invited by the mayor.
This week, Moe also responded to a question he was asked about COVID conspiracies and the Saskatchewan Health Authority.
"Nobody would question my stance when you look at the last four or five years when it comes to the importance of vaccines and the importance vaccines played in the pandemic here in Saskatchewan and across Canada.I don't think anybody would question that," Moe said.
He said he worked closely with the federal government and other provincialand territorial leaders to help deliver vaccines when needed.
Moe addresses committee vote
On Monday, government and opposition MLAs metto vote on a pitch by the NDP to have allegations made by Speaker Randy Weekes investigated.
The House services committee met for less than 30 minutes, with the government majority voting against the NDP motions.
Last month, Weekes alleged he was harassed and bullied by government members and staff and accused then-Government House Leader Jeremy Harrison of bringing a gun into the Saskatchewan Legislative Building and wanting to carry a handgun in the building.
Moe reiterated his position, putting the onus on Weekes to file a formal complaint and use the process relating to MLA vs. MLA complaints.
"There's a process in place that can be initiated by, in this case, the Speaker. It hasn't been initiated yet and that process is in place for a reason. It was voted on by all members and should be followed."
The Opposition was hoping to call Moe, Harrisonand others to testify and have the gun allegations investigated, all of which would have been public.
"Those are outside of the process that everybody agreed to and voted on in the assembly," Moe said Tuesday.
"Why would we not avail ourselves to that process if that's what we agreed putting in place? I actually am a little bit perplexed as to why the question isn't just that. Why are we not following the processes that were put in place?"
The Opposition said if Weekes were to follow the path laid out in the policy and suggested by Moe, the investigation and its results would be confidential.
"The Sask, Party government had the opportunity to show that they take matters of harassment, safetyand security seriously and that they believe in accountability and that the rules apply to all," Opposition MLA Meara Conway said Monday following the committee meeting.
"Very serious questions have been raised by the Speaker and the people of Saskatchewan deserve answers. We deserve leaders that live up to our values of Saskatchewan people. Central to that is honesty and transparency, and we're just not getting that from this government."
The complaint has to be filed within 90 days of the incident. The investigative process stops once the legislature is dissolved for an election and an investigation ends if an individual is no longer an MLA.
Weekes lost his nomination bid for the Saskatchewan Party in December and is not running in the Oct. 28 election.
With files from Alexander Quon and Stefani Langenegger
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