Saskatchewan’s Premier announced the resignation of Joe Hargrave as Minister of Highways and Transportation on Monday.  Scott Moe says he will remain a member of the government caucus and MLA for Prince Albert Carlton.

Hargrave travelled to Palm Springs on December 22nd for what he considered an essential business trip. He was selling his home, but the Saskatchewan NDP say he didn’t list his property until the 26th.

Premier Moe says he should have made it more clear to Caucus members that they shouldn’t travel. Both the federal and provincial governments have been advising people to stay home, but travelling has not been made illegal.

He says the perception that there are separate rules for government and for the public is not good for any government, so he has told Caucus members that they are not to travel outside of Saskatchewan except in cases of emergency or urgent government business, and any such travel would require prior approval from the Caucus Chair.

Moe has appointed Carrot River Valley MLA Fred Bradshaw as the Minister of Highways and Minister responsible for the Water Security Agency. It was also reported that Corrections Minister Christine Tell was in Palm Springs in November.  Moe explains that she was there to visit a very ill family member and he adds that COVID-19 restrictions hadn’t increased yet at that time.

Also Monday Alberta’s Premier announced on Facebook that he had accepted the resignation of MLA Tracy Allard in her position as Municipal Affairs Minister for travelling outside of the country over the holidays in the midst of the pandemic.  Jason Kenney also accepted the resignation of his Chief of Staff, Jamie Huckabay and he demoted five other MLAs as well for vacationing outside the country.