Moe discusses mental health and addiction with Governor General

It was a very wet welcome for the Governor General’s first official visit to Saskatchewan on Monday.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon was set to spend three days in the province. On Monday, she started at the Legislative Building and Government House.

Premier Scott Moe and other members of government greeted Simon at the building and soon after the two talked.

Moe says they spoke about Saskatchewan’s role in Canada and how it helps to build a better and stronger nation. He said they also talked about what the provincial government is doing about mental health and addictions.

“(We talked) specifically on our recovery-oriented system of care and some of the intensive addictions recovery beds they’re putting in place, and how we are not only offering that opportunity for recovery, that opportunity for mental health supports, but ensuring that we’re following that up with removing the drugs from the drug dealers in our communities and removing the drugs dealers in our communities by investing in law enforcement,” explained Moe.

Governor General Mary Simon’s first stop in her first official visit to Saskatchewan was the legislative building, where she was greeted by Premier Scott Moe and other members of government. Apr. 22, 2023 (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

Simon then headed to Government House to meet with Lt.-Gov. Russ Mirasty.

Simon is Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General and Mirasty is Saskatchewan’s first Indigenous lieutenant-governor. Moe said it’s monumental, when you step back and think about it, but with Mirasty’s service, something people in Saskatchewan are used to.

“We’re already quite accustomed to seeing the power that that can play in bringing, really, two worlds together, bringing the world of who His Honour Russ Mirasty represents as — what was the Queen now the King’s representative — but also bringing Canada’s first people to that very representation as well,” said Moe, praising Mirasty’s service.

Simon was to visit the First Nations University of Canada and then hold a reception later Monday. She’s scheduled to attend another event in Regina on Tuesday morning before heading to Saskatoon for more events and photo opportunities in Saskatoon.