Saskatchewan is mourning the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash that took place April 6, just north of Tisdale, Sask. at the intersection of Highway 35 and Highway 335.
In a sit-down interview with Global News, Premier Scott Moe said that once the RCMP investigation is complete the Ministry of Highways will conduct its own investigation.
“As recommendations come forward subsequent that investigation we’ll act on them and act on them quickly.”
As for the broader picture, Moe is still coming to grips with what happened.
“It’s just an absolutely unimaginable incident that you just cannot prepare for as a province, as a community, as a family. It just isn’t possible. You do the absolute best with what you have and do the best with what you have at your disposal,” he said.
Through the tragedy, Moe said that there has been a major coming together due to how the story resonates with people. The premier, just like many other people across Canada, have ridden on buses like the one carrying the Broncos, or know someone who has.
“I said just this weekend that Saskatchewan is a small town in how we approach and support one another. I would broaden that to Canada, and the world is not much larger,” Moe said.
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The premier took time to applaud all the medical staff, first responders, spiritual leaders and others who rose to the occasion.
In addition the being Opposition Leader, Dr. Ryan Meili is a family physician in Saskatoon. He says that he has been speaking with friends in the field who were on the ground level helping crash victims as they were flown to Saskatoon.
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“Clearly it was a really stressful, tragic and devastating night for people and really hard for them to be a part of,” Meili said.
Provincial Budget
Both the government and opposition agreed to cancel Question Period Monday and Tuesday, but the delivery of the provincial budget will go ahead as planned for April 10.
Finance Minister Donna Harpauer is the MLA for Humboldt, and will address the tragedy in the Legislative Assembly prior to unveiling her first budget.
“Donna is one of the leaders on our team here in the government of Saskatchewan, and she is one of the strongest individuals that I’ve ever met,” Moe said.
“She is proving and exuding that type of strength through these events and in the lead up to our budget. So we are prepared and ready with our budget. We are never prepared for what has happened to our province this weekend.”
READ MORE: Here are the victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash
Meili said he was glad Question Period was cancelled as the tone is often combative and flippant. While the opposition still has the job of being critical of the budget, Meili hopes a lesson can be brought forward by putting aside partisan differences in the wake of tragedy.
“Maybe that’s the way we should be all the time. We shouldn’t be so flippant and so critical. We should just stay focused on the issues and what makes a difference in people’s lives,” Meili said.
“Maybe this tragedy will help us keep that tone in mind instead of going down those traditional roads that we do.”