NDP Corrections, Policing, and Public Safety (CPPS) Critic Nicole Sarauer challenged CPPS Minister Christine Tell to stand up in the legislature and apologize for defending Colin Thatcher’s invitation to the throne speech..Tell would not speak to reporters on Monday about Thatcher..“Will the minister of Corrections and Policing stand in her place today and apologize for her ridiculous comments last week, justifying the invitation of Colin Thatcher?”. Christine Tell .Following the throne speech, Tell defended Thatcher’s invitation as his criminal past “doesn’t matter.”.“He [Thatcher] has a right to be here, just like anybody else. He is a free citizen,” Tell told reporters..Thatcher is not a free citizen, as he received a life sentence for murdering his wife JoAnn Wilson and is on parole for the rest of his life..Thatcher is the son of a former premier and was a sitting MLA when he murdered his wife..Tell clarified what she meant by a “free citizen.”.“I say free, as opposed to being incarcerated,” said Tell..Tell said that she used “free citizen” inappropriately. .“I may have used the word inappropriately. He’s not in jail. He is out on parole with standard conditions of every person who is on life with parole,” Tell told the legislature on Tuesday.. Nicole Sarauer .“It’s important to clarify my comments were in no way defending this subject or his reprehensible actions. What he did was horrific and wrong on so many levels.”.Tell said she fully supports Premier Scott Moe’s apology from the government, which he gave on Monday..“As the premier stated yesterday [Monday] and on behalf of the government, he offered an unequivocal apology and I share in this apology,” said Tell..“This subject being invited and being present at this legislature sent the wrong message. And I absolutely support the premier’s statement yesterday.”.A reporter asked Tell if she was involved in the Thatcher investigation as Tell was a member of the Regina Police Service at the time..“I was a rookie … didn’t work on it. No,” said Tell.
