Tristen Durocher's walk to Regina and ceremonial fast was a focus during the debate. (Walking with our Angels/Facebook)

By Derek Cornet

Walking with our Angels

Premier Moe questioned about suicide prevention, reaction to Durocher during provincial debate

Oct 15, 2020 | 3:45 PM

Premier Scott Moe was put on the spot during the provincial leaders debate Wednesday on if he regrets not speaking to Tristen Durocher or taking him to court.

The topic of suicide prevention was brought up on a number of occasions during last night’s broadcast when Moe and NDP Leader Ryan Meili debated major issues ahead of the Oct. 26 election. In response to a question about Indigenous engagement, Meili asked Moe why the Saskatchewan Party voted against Cumberland NDP MLA Doyle Vermette’s suicide prevention strategy in June.

“Legislation is not required to work on something as important as suicide,” Moe responded. “You know very well, Mr. Meili, we have our Pillars for Life strategy in place. The Pillars for Life strategy is working, is guiding us through the conversation around how we are engaging with our partners across the province on a very important conversation, one around suicides and, in particular, northern suicides.”

Moe also mentioned a letter of commitment recently signed between the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the federal government aimed at addressing the issue. He noted Pillars for Life is supported by the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Meili then brought up Durocher’s month-long walk from Air Ronge to Regina and his subsequent 44-day ceremonial fast on the Legislative Assembly grounds for each MLA who voted against Vermette’s suicide prevention strategy.

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“You sent two of your ministers across the road to basically say get off my lawn,” Meili said. “What kind of a message do you think that sends, not just to Tristen, not just to Doyle, but to every family who has lost someone and to every young person who is struggling right now?”

Moe replied Durocher had met with the highest level of government, adding the Sask. Party is serious when it comes to addictions, mental health and suicides.

“They were pleased to meet with him,” Moe said of the ministers. “They gleaned some good advice from Mr. Durocher and they were also, I think, able to discuss with him the Pillars for Life strategy that we have, and where we are going with that Pillars for Life strategy and how it will inform our actions.”

Moe never did specifically answer if he regrets not personally speaking with Durocher or for the failed court case against him.

Vermette tuned in for the debate and said Moe’s answers to suicide prevention and Durocher’s efforts were poor. He noted Moe wanted to evict Durocher off the Legislative Assembly lawn and ultimately lost in court. Vermette believes Moe should have met with Durocher instead and had a discussion with him.

“I’m waiting to see if we hear anything from Tristen, but right now it’s just sad the way the premier responded to it,” Vermette said.

larongeNOW reached out to Durocher for an interview, but he declined to comment.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno