REGINA — It was a sombre and subdued week on the Saskatchewan provincial scene as political leaders reacted to the mass shooting tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia.
The incident left eight people dead and another 25 injured. Prime Minister Mark Carney was headed to Tumbler Ridge on Friday for a community vigil.
This week, Premier Scott Moe posted a brief message on social media with his thoughts on the tragedy.
“Horrifying news from Tumbler Ridge, B.C. Our prayers are with the families of the victims, those injured, and everyone in the community,” he posted.
Opposition Leader Carla Beck issued the following statement on Wednesday:
“I am shocked and deeply heartbroken by the horrific shootings in Tumbler Ridge, B.C. My deepest condolences go out to all those who have lost loved ones or have been impacted by this tragic event.
“This is an impossibly difficult day for the people of Tumbler Ridge and British Columbia. We are all thinking about this community and these families, and as Premier Eby put it, us parents are all holding our kids a little bit tighter today. I want to thank the first responders who have been working tirelessly — many of whom have risked their lives — for their community.
“The people of Saskatchewan stand with Tumbler Ridge for the days and years to come.”
Beyond the tragedy in Tumbler Ridge, or perhaps because of it, it was a quiet week on the Saskatchewan provincial scene as the long weekend approaches. After the long weekend, it will be just two weeks before the Legislature session returns to action in March.
In the runup to that return, the main parties continued positioning themselves on key issues. The Saskatchewan Party government’s messaging efforts were low-key this week, but they continued to highlight efforts aimed at addressing public safety.
On Monday, Minister of Community Safety Michael Weger announced $1.7 million in Safer Communities and Neighbourhood funding toward hiring 27 police officers for the Regina Police Service. That followed similar funding announcements the previous week in communities including Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Estevan and Weyburn.
Meanwhile, the opposition New Democrats countered that message with media events highlighting ongoing public safety concerns. On Monday, Beck stood outside a seniors highrise in downtown Regina to highlight safety issues in seniors’ public housing. One issue raised was the discovery of a harpoon in a common area of the building.
The NDP also renewed its focus on health care, pointing to overcrowding at Saskatoon’s St. Paul’s Hospital, where patients were placed in a former registration area. The party again raised concerns about housing affordability and the drug overdose situation in Regina, where an alert was issued this week.
Prince Albert was a particular focus for the NDP, with the entire caucus canvassing in the city on Tuesday. That day, the party raised concerns about additional layoffs at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, including positions at the Prince Albert campus. Beck returned to Prince Albert on Friday, joining Rural and Remote Health critic Jared Clarke and former councillor Dennis Ogrodnick to call for the removal of parking fees for cancer patients at hospitals.
