Sask. Party needs reset, new leadership hopeful says

Former Conservative MP Rob Clarke blasted the Saskatchewan Party establishment for years of unchecked “scandals,” “insider deals” and “intolerance” while positioning himself as the only real outsider in the race to be its next leader.

Clarke is a member of Muskeg Lake Cree Nation and a former RCMP officer who was elected to represent Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River in 2008 before losing the seat two years ago. He is the sixth person to enter the race to replace outgoing Premier Brad Wall.

“The (Saskatchewan) NDP will win more seats in Saskatchewan unless we hit the reset button on the party and the government,” Clarke told reporters during a news conference Wednesday at the Remai Modern art gallery in Saskatoon.

“All the candidates in the race are talking about renewal, but they only represent more of the same. I’m (the) only true outsider in this race, the only candidate capable of delivering renewal and building a bigger and better party.”

Clarke’s announcement came just days away from the party’s Nov. 24 nomination deadline, and less than a month before the Dec. 8 deadline to sign up new members — a crucial goal for every candidate in a one-member, one-vote contest.

Asked if the qualities he cited — political experience, connections across the province, law enforcement background — can overcome five candidates who have been campaigning hard since August, Clark said he is prepared to work as hard as necessary.

“I think I should be able to appeal, and probably ask for people’s second vote if it comes down to it,” he said, adding that he is frustrated that four candidates in the race are campaigning rather than representing their constituents while drawing an MLA’s $92,817 salary.

Tina Beaudry-Mellor, Ken Cheveldayoff, Scott Moe and Gord Wyant resigned from cabinet before entering the race, but continue to sit as MLAs. Alanna Koch is on a leave of absence from her position as deputy minister to the premier.

The race’s only Indigenous candidate reserved his strongest criticism for Education Minister Bronwyn Eyre, who is embroiled in controversy — a petition calling for her resignation continues to gather signatures — over comments she made in the legislature on Nov. 1 about treaty education.

“It was derogatory and hurtful,” Clarke said of Eyre’s proposal that the province consider establishing separate courses for Indigenous history and culture rather than the current practice of “infusing” it into the broader curriculum.

In 2012, while an MP, Clarke introduced a private member’s bill aimed at removing “outdated” clauses and language from the Indian Act, and amending it to compel bands to publish their bylaws. The bill generated some controversy, but passed into law two years later.

Clarke also said if elected as Saskatchewan’s next premier he would rethink the approach to policing in the province, including a controversial $5.9 million “protection and response” team aimed at curbing crime in rural areas.