Minister of Policing, Corrections, and Public Safety for Saskatchewan, Christine Tell, said she “completely supports and embraces” Premier Scott Moe’s Monday apology for inviting convicted murderer Colin Thatcher to last week’s throne speech festivities.
Tell has faced backlash from the provincial Opposition and the public after being questioned about Thatcher’s appearance last Wednesday and saying, “Colin Thatcher is a citizen who has gone through the justice system, gone through the courts, did his time in incarceration. He has fulfilled the obligation to society that it had placed on him, and he is now living as a resident of our province. He has a right to be here.
After being given a life sentence for the 1984 murder of his ex-wife JoAnn Wilson, Thatcher was granted full release in 2006.
“Those words were inappropriate, and I apologise.
However, whatever improper language I used in no way diminishes the horrific circumstance for which this subject was found guilty, she said.
“I use the word ‘free’ in contrast to being imprisoned. I might have misused another word, then.
He’s not in jail; instead, he’s on parole, with the same rules that apply to everyone on life with parole.
She said, “It wasn’t the proper response.”
When questioned about Tell’s remarks on the day of the throne speech, Saskatchewan NDP Deputy Minister Nicole Sarauer said, “The things she made Wednesday were terribly insulting.”
“I’m glad she apologised today. Why it took so long is unclear.
Thatcher received an invitation from Saskatchewan Party MLA Lyle Stewart attend the Speech from the Throne celebrations.
Since then, Stewart has lost his position as the premier’s legislative secretary in the executive council.
During question period on Monday, Moe expressed regret over Thatcher’s attendance, stating, “To all who attended, to all members of this assembly, and to all the people of Saskatchewan, I offer my unambiguous apology.
Before being found guilty of killing his ex-wife JoAnn Wilson, Colin Thatcher, the son of former premier Ross Thatcher, held the position of energy minister in Grant Devine’s Progressive Conservative administration in 1982.
A Saskatchewan minister responds to criticism of Thatcher’s remarks by saying, “I’m sorry for those statements.”
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