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Christine Tell

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The Honourable
Christine Tell
Member of the Saskatchewan Legislative Assembly
for Regina Wascana Plains
In office
November 7, 2007 – October 1, 2024
Preceded byDoreen Hamilton
Succeeded byBrent Blakley
Personal details
BornRegina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Political partySaskatchewan Party
Residence(s)Regina, Saskatchewan
OccupationPolice Officer

Christine Tell is a Canadian politician. She represented the electoral district of Regina Wascana Plains in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan from 2007 to 2024 as a member of the Saskatchewan Party.

Early life and career

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Tell was born and raised in Regina, graduating from Miller Comprehensive High School and then receiving a psychiatric nursing diploma. After a short time working as a psychiatric nurse, she joined the Saskatoon Police Service and graduated from the Saskatchewan Police College. She worked for three years in Saskatoon before returning to her hometown and joining the Regina Police Service in 1983.[1] She rose to the rank of sergeant and took an unpaid leave of absence to seek election in May 2007.[citation needed]

She served as president of the Regina Police Association for six years and was the first female in Canada to head the police association of a major service.[1]

Political career

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Tell was first elected as a member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in the 2007 provincial election, after which the Saskatchewan Party formed a majority government. Tell was re-elected in 2011, 2016, and 2020.[2]

Tell has been a cabinet member since she was first elected, serving in the cabinets of both Brad Wall and Scott Moe, except for a two year period from 2010 to 2012. Tell's time in cabinet includes nearly seven years in charge of corrections and policing over two stints with the portfolio.[3][4]

During Tell's first stint in charge of corrections, the government was questioned over a 2013 decision to deny an order-in-council to allow the auditor general access to youth custody records as part of an effort to assess the effectiveness of young offender rehabilitation programs.[5] Tell argued that it would have been more appropriate for the auditor to obtain a court order; the auditor decided against pursuing such an order due to the cost of the court process.[5]

In January 2020, a CBC investigation revealed that a company owned by Tell's son was renting a building at the Global Transportation Hub from the Saskatchewan government below market value and at a financial loss for the province. Tell requested a conflict of interest review from the Conflict of Interest Commissioner, and the Opposition New Democratic Party called for an investigation into the arrangement and highlighted the need to strengthen the province's conflict of interest rules.[6] Tell was cleared of wrongdoing by the commissioner later that month.[7]

In January 2021, Tell admitted to traveling to California in the fall of 2020 despite the closure of the border between Canada and the United States to nonessential travel and public health advisories to avoid unnecessary travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] Saskatchewan was seeing record case numbers at the time and the government had asked the public to avoid nonessential travel.[9]

In November 2020, the provincial prison system began seeing significant outbreaks of COVID-19, which led to criticism for a lack of preparation and calls from prisoners' advocates and the Opposition for the early or temporary release of remanded and non-violent inmates to mitigate the situation.[10] In response, Tell said the province would not release any inmates and that although it was not clear how the virus got into correctional facilities, the government would not be investigating the situation.[11] In January 2021, inmates at the Saskatoon Correctional Centre and Prince Albert's Pine Grove Correctional Centre began a hunger strike in an effort to get Tell to resign her cabinet position. Prisoner advocate Cory Cardinal demanded an apology, stating that, "her refusal, her negligence, her dismissive attitude... exacerbated the outbreak by not taking proactive measures."[12] A prisoners' rights advocate stated that Tell "obviously has failed to do her job."[12] On January 15, a petition calling for Tell's resignation with more than 1,700 signatures was presented to the Legislature.[13] Tell responded that the outbreak was not a "get out of jail free card", and that the government had increased sanitation and quarantine measures to try and mitigate correctional centre outbreaks.[14]

In 2022, Tell unveiled plans to introduce a new police force, the Saskatchewan Marshals Service (SMS), expected to be operational with 70 officers by 2026.[15] The service, expected to cost the province $20 million annually, is expected to supplement the RCMP in the province by conducting "proactive investigations", primarily focused on rural and remote areas, and with "indirect oversight" provided by the Ministry of Corrections and Policing.[16] The Opposition criticized the lack of independence for the new service, while the union representing RCMP officers called the new force "completely unnecessary".[17][18] First Nations leaders also questioned the plan and in particular a lack of consultation with Indigenous communities in its formation.[19]

Also in 2022, Tell shepherded the passage of Bill 70, which overhauled security in and around the Legislative Building. While for decades the Speaker of the House appointed a serjeant-at-arms responsible for security, Bill 70 left that position in charge of the Legislative Assembly only, with the government appointing its own security director for the Legislative grounds.[20] The bill raised concerns about politicizing security, while Terry Quinn resigned as serjeant-at-arms and alleged that alleged harassment and defamation by the government, including Tell.[21]

In a cabinet shuffle on August 29, 2023, Tell was named the Minister of Environment.[22]

In the 2024 provincial election, Tell lost her seat to Brent Blakley of the New Democratic Party.[23]

Personal life

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Tell is currently married to Gary Massier and has two children with her first husband. Along with caucus colleague Laura Ross, Tell hosts an annual leadership event for women and girls.[1]

Electoral results

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2024 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Wascana Plains
Party Candidate Votes %
New Democratic Brent Blakley 4,696 48.58
Saskatchewan Christine Tell 4,103 42.44
Saskatchewan United Dustin Plett 414 4.28
Progressive Conservative Larry Buchinski 356 3.68
Green Bo Chen 98 1.01
Total 9,667 99.99
Source: Elections Saskatchewan[24]
2020 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Wascana Plains
Party Candidate Votes %
Saskatchewan Christine Tell 7,209 63.79
New Democratic Mike Sinclair 3,619 32.03
Green Sonja Doyle 248 2.20
Independent Nestor Mryglod 224 1.98
Total 11,300 100.0
Source: Elections Saskatchewan[25]
2016 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Wascana Plains
Party Candidate Votes %
Saskatchewan Christine Tell 6,107 65.54
New Democratic Kaytlyn Criddle 2,525 27.10
Liberal Gulraiz Tariq 287 3.08
Progressive Conservative Allen Mryglod 245 2.62
Green Jeremy O'Connor 153 1.64
Total 9,317 100.0
Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division; Elections Saskatchewan[26]
2011 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Wascana Plains
Party Candidate Votes %
Saskatchewan Christine Tell 7,460 69.30
New Democratic Pat Maze 2,895 26.89
Green Bill Clary 215 2.00
Progressive Conservative Roy Gaebel 195 1.81
Total 10,765 100.0
Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division
2007 Saskatchewan general election: Regina Wascana Plains
Party Candidate Votes %
Saskatchewan Christine Tell 5,818 52.74
New Democratic Tyler Forrest 3,450 31.28
Liberal Joe Stroeder 1,593 14.44
Green Jim Elliott 170 1.54
Total 11,031 100.0
Source: Saskatchewan Archives - Election Results by Electoral Division

Cabinet positions

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Saskatchewan provincial government of Scott Moe
Cabinet posts (2)
Predecessor Office Successor
Dana Skoropad Minister of Environment
August 29, 2023 – October 1, 2024 		Travis Keisig
Don Morgan Minister of Corrections and Policing
February 2, 2018 – August 29, 2023 		Paul Merriman
Saskatchewan provincial government of Brad Wall
Cabinet posts (4)
Predecessor Office Successor
Jennifer Campeau Minister of Central Services
August 23, 2016 – February 2, 2018 		Ken Cheveldayoff
Yogi Huyghebaert Minister of Corrections and Policing
May 25, 2012 – August 23, 2016 		Ministry Abolished
Dan D'Autremont Minister of Government Services
May 29, 2009 – June 29, 2010 		Laura Ross
Sandra Morin Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
November 21, 2007 – May 29, 2009 		Dustin Duncan

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Honourable Christine Tell". Government of Saskatchewan. Archived from the original on 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  2. ^ "Christine Tell Acclaimed as 2024 Saskatchewan Party Candidate for Regina Wascana Plains". Saskatchewan Party. 2023-08-01. Archived from the original on 2023-08-02. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  3. ^ "Norris, 6 others out in major Sask. cabinet shuffle". CBC News. 2012-05-25. Archived from the original on 2014-04-30. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  4. ^ "Premier Scott Moe names first cabinet, awarding positions to leadership rivals". Regina Leader-Post. 2018-02-02. Archived from the original on 2018-02-16. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  5. ^ a b Graney, Emma (2015-06-18). "Questions asked of gov't cabinet decision". Regina Leader-Post. Archived from the original on 2023-10-22. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  6. ^ Leo, Geoff (2020-01-11). "GTH renting office space to company owned by Sask. cabinet minister's son at a loss". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2020-01-12. Retrieved 2020-01-12.
  7. ^ "Conflict of interest commissioner clears Saskatchewan cabinet minister". Global News. The Canadian Press. 2020-01-24. Archived from the original on 2020-01-25. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  8. ^ Smith, Marc (January 4, 2021). "Another Sask. cabinet minister travelled to California, government says". CTV News. Archived from the original on 2021-01-04. Retrieved January 4, 2021.
  9. ^ Rattray, Taylor (2020-12-31). "Sask. cabinet minister who travelled to California over holidays apologizes for 'error in judgement'". CTV News Regina. Archived from the original on 2021-01-04. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  10. ^ Sciarpelletti, Laura (2020-11-28). "NDP, advocate call for province to release remanded inmates following COVID-19 jail outbreak". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2020-12-18. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  11. ^ Zakreski, Dan (2020-12-02). "Sask. corrections minister says province unable to release inmates from Saskatoon jail". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-01-03. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  12. ^ a b McMillan, Anna (2021-01-04). "Inmates stage hunger strike, call for Saskatchewan corrections minister's resignation". Global News. Archived from the original on 2021-01-04. Retrieved 2021-01-04.
  13. ^ Eneas, Bryan (2021-01-15). "Petition presented at Sask. legislature calls for corrections minister's removal". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-01-16. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  14. ^ Pasiuk, Emily (2021-01-18). "Sask. government rejects calls for early release for some inmates to protect them from COVID-19". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2021-01-19. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  15. ^ Hunter, Adam (2022-11-04). "New marshals service in Sask. will have 70 officers by 2026 at cost of $20M annually". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-11-28. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  16. ^ Simes, Jeremy (2023-08-16). "As Sask. forms new police service; critics question lack of oversight". CTV News Regina. The Canadian Press. Archived from the original on 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  17. ^ Hunter, Adam (2022-11-05). "New Sask. marshals service 'completely unnecessary,' police union argues". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-11-28. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  18. ^ Freeze, Colin (2022-11-17). "RCMP commander questions Saskatchewan's plan for new Marshals Service". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  19. ^ Patterson, Dayne (2022-11-06). "First Nations leaders question new Sask. marshals service amid calls for better policing". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2023-02-26. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  20. ^ Hunter, Adam (2022-05-11). "Bill to overhaul Sask. legislature security poised to pass". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2022-05-12. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  21. ^ Zieverink, Abby (2024-05-16). "Speaker Randy Weekes cuts up Sask. Party membership card". CKOM. Archived from the original on 2024-05-23. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
  22. ^ Prisciak, David; Bamford, Allison (2023-08-29). "Merriman, Duncan moved to new portfolios in major Sask. cabinet shuffle". CTV News Regina. Archived from the original on 2023-09-02. Retrieved 2023-10-22.
  23. ^ Prisciak, David; Postey, Drew (2024-10-28). "Here are the upsets of Saskatchewan's 2024 election". CTV News Regina. Archived from the original on 2024-11-13. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  24. ^ "2024 General Election Official Results". Elections Saskatchewan. 2024-11-09. Retrieved 2024-11-13.
  25. ^ "A Report on the Twenty-Ninth General Election, Volume I: Statement of Votes" (PDF). Elections Saskatchewan. 2021-06-30. Retrieved 2024-10-28.
  26. ^ "2016 General Election Results". Elections Saskatchewan. 4 April 2016. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
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