A lawmaker passionate about suicide prevention was suspended from the Legislative Assembly Wednesday after accusing the government of not giving a “s**t” about anyone.
Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette who for 22 sitting days has been raising awareness to families impacted by suicide, lost his composure, one day after the SaskParty denied his request to create a bipartisan select committee to examine mental health and suicide.
“We’ve asked the government to work with families who are suffering. We’ve asked them, and time and time again, petitions. We’ve had 75-minute debates in this Assembly and showed passion from both sides, saying how they wanted to work together. Here’s an opportunity for the government to work together with families, who asked you to please work with them,” Vermette said in a shaky and cracking voice during Question Period. “They wanted the Premier to stand. Why didn’t you just tell them yesterday you didn’t care about them? And why did the minister . . . Why don’t you just tell the truth and say you don’t give a s**t about anyone?”
Following these remarks, Vermette left the Assembly, later to return for a vote, where he was asked to apologize and withdraw his statement. He refused the Speaker’s orders three times. “Mr. Speaker, for all the families that have suffered so much the way they have, I cannot apologize,” Vermette replied.
Speaker Randy Weekes, told the Assembly that he heard Vermette’s comments, but stated that suicide is a very emotional and sensitive issue for both the New Democrats and the government and asked that the House move on.
Vermette would list off families affected by suicide.
Jude Ratt of the La Ronge area, expressed disappointment Wednesday in that the government was not going to strike the committee. His daughter Betty Roberts and Ariana Roberts both died by suicide. He explained Tuesday there was little help being offered. “We were trying very hard to try and get her help. We tried everything we could think of to help her get the help she needed. Same with my niece. We tried our very best to try and get as much help as possible for these young ladies and just nothing. Even to this day,” Ratt said.
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Everett Hindley said the government is taking this issue very seriously and that it is a priority for the government.