Legislative Report

Calvert NDP Have Worn Out Their Welcome

The spring session of the Saskatchewan Legislature, a session that concluded Thursday, proved one thing beyond all shadow of a doubt: Lorne Calvert and his NDP government has been stripped of its last remaining shreds of integrity. Their reputation is in tatters. Their agenda is in disarray. After 16 years in office, it is now clearly time for them to leave.

The NDP’s House Leader, Glenn Hagel, resigned from his cabinet position on May 16th after the Regina Police Service called on the RCMP’s Commercial Crime Section to investigate files relating to allegations of fraud in the NDP caucus office in 1992. When the story appeared in newspapers at the time, Glenn Hagel did not correct the public record nor did he personally ensure that police were told about the missing public money.

The NDP Caucus Chief of Staff and scapegoat for the rest of the NDP Caucus who knew about the fraud, Jim Fodey, has also resigned over this issue. The rules of the Assembly state that people who resign are not entitled to severance. However, the NDP has stated publicly that they are currently negotiating with Mr. Fodey on the payment of severance. When will we find out how much Mr. Fodey is receiving?

Most people in Saskatchewan believe that you shouldn’t lie to police. When the time comes when you can’t tell if your own government is being honest with you, maybe its time to step aside and let someone else take charge. That’s the situation we have now in Saskatchewan.

Lorne Calvert and the NDP have been consumed by scandal. They are lurching aimlessly from crisis to crisis. They are drifting further and further away from the real priorities of Saskatchewan people. A government that has lost its moral compass is no longer fit to govern. It’s time for the NDP to leave office.

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