Protests held outside of legislative building on day of Sask. throne speech

The Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry protested in front of the legislative building on Wednesday, the same day the throne speech was delivered by Saskatchewan's Lieutenant Governor. (Jacob Carr / CTV News)

Two protests were held outside of the legislative building on Wednesday; the day Saskatchewan’s Lieutenant Governor delivered the Speech from the Throne.

The first was a demonstration against austerity by the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry.

Both the ministry and the NDP are pushing for the provincial government to address issues with homelessness, childcare, and rent control in the province.

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The ministry outlined what they want to see in terms of rent control legislation.

“The biggest piece of rent control legislation is going to be the need to cap the amounts that rent can be increased in a given year,” Peter Gilmer, Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry advocate said.

“We have seen rental increases in the 20 to 30 per cent range over the course of the year and that just basically throws people out into the street.”

A second Pro-Palestine protest followed, rallying against Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe’s cooperation with Israel.

Back in September, Moe welcomed the Israel Ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, to discuss the future relations.

Dozens gathered to loudly protest this action by Moe, given the current Israel-Palestine conflict.

After speeches concluded at the protest, chants rang out of “from the river to sea, Palestine will be free,” and “no trade with Israel.”

“I think people are really frustrated with Premier Moe, that he’s the only Premier that has come out publicly and expressed wanting to expand trade with Israel,” Sean Tucker, University of Regina Human Resources Management professor said.

“With these war crimes, genocide, why else would you do that? No other Premier’s done that, Prime Minister Carney has not expressed interest to expand trade with Israel and that’s a political position that he’s taking.”