SASKATOON – As the only party other than the NDP and Sask Party that is fielding enough candidates to form government in the coming term, Green Party leader Naomi Hunter says they should be included in the province-wide televised major Leaders’ Debate expected to be broadcast by the CBC, Global TV and CTV.
The Green Party will be running 61 candidates in this election. This is the fourth consecutive full slate for the SGP, Hunter points out.
In a release issued Sunday, Hunter says, “When David Karwacki was Leader of the Saskatchewan Liberals from October 2001 to December 2007, the party lost parliamentary representation in the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. Despite not having a single seat in the Legislature, Mr. Karwacki was still included in the province-wide televised Leaders Debates for two full election cycles.”
She adds, “In 1986, Ralph Goodale ran a full slate and without Liberals having a seat at dissolution, he was part of the Leader debate along with then Premier [Grant] Devine and [Alan] Blakeney. One could argue that Goodale won that debate (and his seat in the Legislature by being in that debate), perhaps that is why the SaskParty and NDP want the leaders debate closed to others.
Hunter, candidate for the Saskatoon-Riversdale constituency, says the Saskatchewan Green Party is proud to have confirmed a gender-balanced, full slate of candidates for the 2024 provincial election.
“We have 29 women, 29 men and three trans candidates nominated to be on the ballot.”
She says the Green slate is a mix of rural and urban, with half the slate Indigenous or Metis candidates, as well as proud members of the LGBTQ+ community, candidates of colour, disabled persons, youth and immigrants, all well represented.
