REGINA — Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says his government will not change its plan to table the spring budget on the same day as the anniversary of the deadly Humboldt Broncos crash.
Sixteen people were killed and thirteen were injured when a semi-truck ran a stop sign at a rural intersection and hurtled into the path of the junior hockey team's bus on April 6, 2018.
An inexperienced truck driver was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to causing the crash.
NDP finance critic Trent Wotherspoon said one victim's family has expressed concern to him about the Saskatchewan Party's plan to introduce its budget on April 6.
"The family just feels it’s incredibly insensitive to bring the budget down on a day ... that really should be remembering this tragic day from three years ago and remembering the lives lost and the impacts for all those families, all those affected," he said Tuesday.
"I wholeheartedly agree."
Wotherspoon added that the family wants privacy.
Moe said Finance Minister Donna Harpauer represents the Humboldt area and understands the weight of the tragedy on the community, as she did three years ago when the crash happened.
At the time, he said, he offered that she could delay presenting that year's budget, which was set for within a week of the collision, but "she wouldn't hear of it."
"I know for certain that our minister of finance when she delivers the budget this spring will also be honouring those families, all of those impacted," said Moe.
"She'll have her (hockey) sticks outside her door. We'll have them outside of the legislative assembly."
The premier also suggested that instead of circulating a statement to the media, Wotherspoon could have contacted Harpauer directly with his concerns.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 23, 2021.
