The government issued a news release this morning with a statement from MLA Lyle Stewart:

Each MLA is given the opportunity to invite a number of guests to the Throne Speech. It was my decision alone to invite Colin Thatcher, who is a constituent and long-time friend. In retrospect, this was an error in judgment as his presence was a distraction from a very positive and forward-looking Throne Speech, which included a number of new initiatives to keep Saskatchewan families safe in their communities.

–original story–

While a throne speech which indicates the government was getting out of liquor sales completely, would normally garner a fair bit of attention, it was overtaken by the presence of Colin Thatcher.

Saskatchewan had already heard in some detail on Monday at a multi-Chamber-hosted luncheon about Premier Scott Moe’s intention to rally for greater jurisdiction over natural resources and plans for immigration.

However, the former cabinet minister was an invited guest of MLA Lyle Stewart. And his attendance was accompanied by a throne speech which, speaking for “many Saskatchewan residents” sees the federal government as too lenient on violent offenders who commit gun crimes and too focused on punishing law-abiding gun owners.

The Throne speech, delivered by Lieutenant-Governor Russ Mirasty, himself a former RCMP officer, also said, “This session, my government will take significant action to crack down on the illegal and violent use of firearms in the commission of crimes to ensure families feel safe in their communities.”

In 1983 Thatcher’s ex-wife JoAnn Wilson was found beaten and shot to death in the garage of her Regina home. The couple had been in a bitter custody dispute after breaking up.  Thatcher served 22 years in prison before getting full parole in 2006 after being convicted of First-Degree Murder.