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On the final day of the spring legislative session in Saskatchewan, the chamber was filled with tension as Randy Weekes, the outgoing Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, delivered a bombshell speech.
Weekes, who has served as an MLA since 1999, used his closing remarks to detail alleged harassment and intimidation by members of the Saskatchewan Party, which he had been a member of until recently.
Weekes posted a photo on social media last night showing his Saskatchewan Party membership card cut in half, accompanied by the caption, “Enough is enough.” In his speech, he accused Government House Leader Jeremy Harrison of sending harassing and intimidating messages, claiming Harrison tried to influence his rulings as Speaker. Weekes quoted a text from Harrison dated March 22, 2023, which read, “That’s an absolute bullshit ruling, completely wrong.”
According to Weekes, Harrison displayed inappropriate behavior from the time he was first elected, showing an “obsession with guns” and using intimidation tactics both verbally and physically. Weekes alleged that Harrison had sought permission to carry a handgun in the legislative assembly and had brought a hunting rifle into the legislative building.
Weekes recounted a particularly disturbing incident where Harrison allegedly heckled, “open carry, open carry next,” after a motion related to the Firearms Act was passed. Weekes expressed concerns over Harrison’s mental stability, especially given his fascination with firearms.
Adding to the tension, Weekes claimed that government staffers had also threatened him physically. He described an incident where a government staffer lunged at him and another where an MLA nearly head-butted him at a function. Weekes stated that the harassment extended beyond Harrison, with Deputy Government House Leader Lori Carr sending him inappropriate messages, particularly during debates on sensitive issues.
Premier Scott Moe responded to Weekes’ allegations by describing them as “sour grapes,” noting that most of the alleged incidents occurred before December 14, when Weekes was still seeking a nomination for the Saskatchewan Party. Moe dismissed the claims as “third-party hearsay” and expressed disappointment that Weekes had not brought his concerns to him earlier.
Opposition Leader Carla Beck thanked Weekes for his service and called the allegations “very disturbing.” Beck emphasized the importance of addressing these serious concerns, highlighting the need for integrity and safety within the legislature. She urged the premier to thoroughly investigate the allegations and sought a response from Harrison.
The session ended with Weekes expressing gratitude for his time as Speaker, despite the challenges he faced. His departure marks a contentious end to a long political career, leaving a cloud of unresolved allegations and a call for accountability within Saskatchewan’s legislative assembly.
