'This is our team': Sask. MLAs offer condolences for Humboldt - Action News
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'This is our team': Sask. MLAs offer condolences for Humboldt

Question period is cancelled for two days in the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly.

Question period cancelled for Monday and Tuesday

On Monday, a memorial and book of condolences was set up in the Saskatchewan legislature. In place of Monday's question period, a motion of condolence will be filed in the assembly, giving MLAs an opportunity to speak to the tragedy. (Trent Peppler/CBC News)

Saskatchewan MLAscame together in the legislature Mondaynot for question period, or to talk of the budget, but to offer their condolences for those affected by the Humboldt bus crash.

A motion of condolence was filed in the assembly. Politicians in the housetook turns making remarks, sometearful, about the collision that killed 15 people associatedwith the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team and sent 14 more to hospital.

Premier Scott Moe travelled to Humboldt this past weekend and attended a vigil at the arena the hockey team called home.

He called the collision the most unimaginable tragedy faced by the province.

In his address, he read the names of the victims and their hometowns. He also spoke of player Logan Boulet, who passed away after signing an organ donor card only weeks before.

'This is our team'

"Mr, Speaker, all of us are so proud of Logan," Moe said

A hockey stick pictured outside Premier Scott Moe's office in the legislature as part of the #PutYourStickOut social media campaign for those affected by Friday's incident. (Trent Peppler/CBC News)

"This is our team. The Humboldt Broncos. This is our community Mr. Speaker. The city of Humboldt. Compassionate. Tough. Resilient. And united," he told the assembly, his voice shaking, as some in the benches behind him wiped their eyes.

Both he and NDPOpposition leader Ryan Meiliwore 'We are Humboldt Strong' shirts in the assembly.

Meilispoke of a widely-shared photo posted on social media, showing three surviving players in hospitalholding hands.

"That to me symbolizes so much of what we're all going through," he said.

"Every one of us is wounded. Every one of us is grieving and we're reaching out to each otherfor strength and support."

Those in the assembly thanked the medical staff who response to Friday's collision and offered gratitude for the outpouring of support from across North America.

Moe also pledged mental health and other supports for the community of Humboldt and the affected families.

Absent from Monday's proceedings was Humboldt-area MLA and Finance Minister Donna Harpauer. She will deliver her budget address on Tuesday along with a tribute to the team.

The tradition of the finance minister unveiling a new pair of shoes the day before tabling theupcomingbudget was cancelled.

The flags atop the legislature will fly at half-mast for 15 days, asordered by Moe to represent each of the lives lost.

with files from Adam Hunter