UPDATE: Assault charges against Sask. MLA withdrawn
MLA for Saskatchewan Rivers Nadine Wilson has stepped down from her position as provincial secretary after being charged with two counts of assault.
WATCH: Saskatchewan Party MLA Nadine Wilson was accused of assault by the family of her father’s wife in June.
The alleged assault took place in a Saskatoon apartment on March 21 when Wilson reportedly forced her way into the suite of her 87-year-old stepmother Lorraine Kingsley Helbig.
Wilson allegedly pushed open the door, knocking Kingsley Helbig backwards into a table.
The apartment belonged to Kingsley Helbig and her late husband Walter Helbig, Wilson’s father.
Kingsley Helbig’s children Catherine Heinz and Eric Hoknes said at the time that the family was in a dispute over handling their parent’s affairs.
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Heinz said the family dispute centered on issues of matrimonial property, covering Walter and Kingsley Helbig’s expenses, and a fear that Walter would be moved into a care home.
Wilson maintains her innocence and will remain a member of the government caucus as the charges have not been yet proven in court.
Both Opposition Leader Ryan Meili and justice critic Nicole Sarauer said Wilson should be removed from caucus until this matter is resolved in court.
“When an MLA is facing serious criminal charges, it’s only reasonable that they resign from caucus until the matter is resolved,” Meili said in a statement.
“By failing to enforce that standard, the Premier is sending the wrong message about how seriously he takes this charge and the issue of elder abuse.”
A government spokesperson said they will not speculate on the outcome of court proceedings, but Premier Moe would “re-evaluate” Wilson’s caucus position and 2020 provincial election candidacy if found guilty.
According to the Saskatoon Police Service, Wilson turned herself into Prince Albert police Thursday. She is set to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday, Sept. 6.
— with files from David Baxter.
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