Sask. Green Party selects new leader
REGINA The Saskatchewan Green Party has a new leader, as a former federal candidate in Regina won what a party official called an “overwhelming” majority in a Saturday vote.
Naomi Hunter, who ran unsuccessfully in October for the Green Party of Canada in Regina-lewvan, won on the first ballot at the provincial party’s leadership convention at the Unitarian Fellowship of Regina.
A total of 123 votes were cast in the race to replace Shawn Setyo, who stepped down for what the party called “personal reasons.” Hunter defeated George Wooldridge, who emphasized sustainable rail transportation, and
Maria Lewans, a candidate who rejected renewable electricity generation in favour of “rationing of energy.”
Hunter, who plans to run a full slate of candidates in the 2020 provincial election, said she would consider it a success if she or one of her candidates makes it into the legislature. The Saskatchewan Green Party won just 7,967 votes in the 2016 provincial election, taking fourth place behind the Saskatchewan Party, the NDP and the Liberal Party.
Hunter, arguing that the NDP has done “an ineffective job of countering the Sask. Party,” wore her signature green blazer and delivered an upbeat message that stressed electrifying the power grid while promoting mass transit and solar energy.
“I promise to be an excellent voice for nature,” Hunter told the convention upon her victory.
She told the Leader-post that she plans to run in Regina Pasqua, which is currently held by Saskatchewan Party MLA Muhammad Fiaz. Hunter said she already has about 30 candidates in mind — three of whom are previous Saskatchewan Green leaders — who are ready to run for the 61 seats in the legislature.
“I want to see boots on the ground right away,” she said, promising strong vetting for candidates and a focus on “winnable ridings” in the upcoming election.
Hunter acknowledged the most fruitful territory for the Green Party has been in urban ridings, many of which are held by the NDP, though she said her priority is to get more “more voices elected on the left.” In her view, that means targeting Saskatchewan Party-held ridings like Regina Pasqua.
Hunter said the Green Party platform will likely emphasize electoral reform, respect for diversity and putting climate action at the forefront of the campaign.