Premier Scott Moe (right) says he and Governor General Mary Simon spoke about Saskatchewan's contributions to the country and the province's mental health and addictions approach during her visit Monday, Apr. 22, 2024 (Lisa Schick/980 CJME)

By Lisa Schick/CKOM News Staff

Moe discusses mental health and addiction with Governor General

Apr 23, 2024 | 8:57 AM

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.

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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.