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This fall’s sitting of the Saskatchewan legislature is set to wrap up with the introduction of the province’s involuntary treatment legislation.
Details have not been provided but a spokesperson for the Government of Saskatchewan has confirmed The Compassionate Intervention Act is set to be introduced on Friday.
It means a piece of legislation the provincial government touted as a key part of its response to the addictions crisis will not be passed until at least this spring.
Details on how the involuntary treatment process will work and who it could apply to are still unclear. More information is expected to be released when the legislation is introduced Friday morning.
The Official Opposition has already said it supports involuntary treatment.
NDP Leader Carla Beck told media in her response to the throne speech that she believes it is acceptable but only as a last resort and only if an individual’s charter rights are not violated.
“There may be a place and a time for ensuring people get stabilized so that they can start that that journey to recovery,” she said.
Trade, health care dominate fall sitting
The fall sitting began in late October, with Premier Scott Moe’s government continuing to grapple with trade issues involving the United States and China as well as ongoing complaints on the state of health care in the province.
Moe’s government also recently approved an additional $1 billion in spending, which comes after a mid-year financial report predicted the province’s deficit is to grow to $427 million.