REGINA - Premier Scott Moe is cooling his jets on a pledge to stop biological boys from using biological girls' change rooms in schools.
Moe had previously said the change room policy would be his “first order of business” if returned to office. His comments were in response to reporters' questions at a campaign event in Regina, soon after reports of a situation involving biological boys who were being allowed to use girls' change rooms at a school.
But in meeting reporters after his new cabinet was sworn in Thursday, Moe indicated that on this issue he probably got ahead of himself.
“When I was asked a question and provided a response on the policy, a change-room policy here in the province, I had indicated that it was going to be the first order of business. I misspoke,” Moe said.
“It's not. The first order of business is to see the Lieutenant Governor and form a government. The second order of business would be what you see today in forming a Cabinet to serve the people of Saskatchewan. The third order of business might quite likely be to assemble a legislative agenda so that we can go into the House this fall in a Speech from the Throne and those types of things.
“And so, you know, in the theme of a 'new beginning' and treating really the message that we received on Election Night and focusing on the new faces that were appointed in Cabinet today, focusing on serving all of the people across Saskatchewan, you know, that new beginning starts with me. And there's times when, you know, I might jump out and I'm a decisive personality. I might say some things without maybe giving them the proper thought, and I would say that when I said this would be the first order of government, it would be one of those times. And so I need to take a breath from time to time and, you know, consult with people as well.”
As for what will happen on the change room issue, Premier Moe pointed to school board elections that are to be completed Nov. 13. He also did not confirm to reporters that he would be proceeding with the ban. Instead, Moe indicated the discussions with school divisions would happen after that time towards supporting every child.
“Upon the completion of the school board elections in some time, I would be asking the Minister of Education to consult with the 27 school division chairs, whoever they might be after their election, and to work towards ensuring that we do have a policy in this space, in the change room space, that is supportive of each and every child. Each and every child in every classroom, in every school, in every community across the province.”
Moe said he would not preclude where those discussions will land, but said parents “can be confident that those discussions are going to happen, and they're going to be supportive of every child.”
Moe acknowledges need for change of tone
Moe also acknowledged that with his government “there's a tone that needs to change. And that starts with me.”
“And so, you know, at times that I may be asked a question by a press gallery such as this, that I may not provide you an answer right away. I may take a breath and I may consult with some of the folks in cabinet, minister relevant, or, you know, maybe some folks outside of government.”
As for what kind of change of tone can be expected, Moe said the “focus may narrow a bit on what is important to Saskatchewan people and what we're hearing from Saskatchewan people.”
“I would say that the growth focus that we have when it comes to, you know, growing our economy is going to remain the focus of this government.”
Moe added that it was time for the government to “do a little bit of a reboot and to look at this, like we did in 2007, as a new government.”
“Yes, we're going to continue to focus on growth because that ultimately is how we're able to make the investments in health care and education and all of the things that matter to Saskatchewan people. … But in doing so, we need to ensure, I think, and with much more focus, ensure that that growth is benefiting every family and every person across this province. Do I have access to a primary health care provider? We need to deliver that. Do I have access to a timely surgery in this province? We need to deliver that. Does my child, in particular in that K-3 space, have every opportunity to succeed and be among the very best access to education in Canada? We need to deliver that. And we need to deliver it using the growth of our economy and the growth of opportunities that we have.”
Following the cabinet announcement, the opposition New Democrats released a statement in which they lampooned Moe’s comments to reporters that this new cabinet, with all the ministers in brand-new portfolios, marked a “new beginning.”
“Scott Moe says his cabinet marks a ‘new beginning,’ but it’s the same old Sask. Party,” their statement read. “Of the 16 members of cabinet announced today, only one is a newly elected MLA. Each of the 15 other members has sat for years - or even decades - in a Sask. Party caucus that has driven Saskatchewan into last place. Rearranging the deckchairs won’t change that.”
