What an NCAA rule change might mean for junior hockey in Sask.
Nov 18, 2024
Previously, WHL players were declared ineligible to play NCAA hockey in the U.S.
Monday was a day of political leaders voicing their displeasure with one another in Saskatchewan.
Early in the afternoon, NDP leader Ryan Meili held a press conference outside of St. Michael Community School in Saskatoon. At the same time, Premier Scott Moe spoke to the North Saskatoon Business Association at their luncheon at Prairieland Park.
Both press conferences had different tones, with Moe covering topics such as Bill C-69 and C-48, the Carbon Tax and other hot button issues in the province.
On the other end, Meili’s press conference was focused on calling out Moe and his government over a broken leadership election promise of adding 400 more Educational Assistants, and citing numbers of declining classroom supports.
“Its the last week of school, teachers have been preparing report cards and kids are getting ready for the end of school. We felt it was time to give a report card for Scott Moe and the Sask. Party when it comes to education,” the Opposition leader said.
Meili said the fact is, the Sask. Party has been making cuts to education and breaking promises. “There’s no way we can avoid giving them a failing grade on what is one of the most important investments we can make for this province’s future.”
The NDP leader continued speaking about the 400 new EA’s, saying that only 44 new EA’s have been brought on.
Following the speech at the NBSA luncheon, Moe took on questions regarding the NDP’s displeasure with the way education has been handled.
“We’ve invested heavily in infrastructure here in the province, and we’ve talked about that repeatedly. It’s important to note that this past year’s budget is the largest investment in education in the history of the province of Saskatchewan.”
Moe said the work isn’t done on the educational side.
“There’s much more to do as we continue to grow our student population. We continue to replace ageing schools that have quite frankly not been replaced for the last number of decades.”
He said it’s a priority for them, and increasing the budget over the last 12 years from under $1 billion, to $2.48 billion this year.
“The Eeyore of Saskatchewan”
In Moe’s speech at the NSBA, a big emphasis was put on rain, and how much the province needed the soaking.
He did take the time to call out the NDP on his side as well.
“Today, I’ve even been informed that there are reports that the eyesore of Saskatchewan, even the NDP, are happy with this rainfall. That’s quite saying something. We’ve been trying for months to cheer them up to no avail.”
Meili was able to respond to the comment, saying the comparison to eyesore was a new one, and pretty far fetched.
“He seems to not really be all that into fun himself, but we’re here to have fun, have a good time, but also be serious about the future of the province and do what needs to be done.”
“Get out of the car”
Saskatoon celebrated its eighteenth annual Pride Festival over the weekend, with Moe making an appearance in a vehicle driven by justice minister Don Morgan.
He previously stated that he would not be attending, due to scheduling conflicts.
It was the first time a Sask. Party premier attended the event, and Meili said it was a step forward. He did have a suggestion for the next Pride Parade the premier attends.
“I would encourage him next time, to get out of the car, shake a few hands, say ‘hello.’ He will have a lot more fun if he does that.”
Meili was also quick to add that they urged Moe to take part in the celebration.
Meanwhile, Moe said it was a great experience.
“Although it was a rainy day, there were many thousands of people out celebrating Pride,” he said. “My attendance there isn’t about myself. It’s about indicating that this is a government that is representative of all of the people in the province of Saskatchewan.”