Betty Nippi-Albright has been nominated as the Saskatchewan New Democrat candidate for Saskatoon Centre . Nippi-Albright won the nomination over her opponents Senos Timon and Naveed Anjum in front of hundreds of New Democrats in Saskatoon.

“We need a government that will stop letting people down and put people first,” said Nippi-Albright. “From poverty to addictions, the Sask. Party is failing people and it’s time we tackle these problems and stop pretending they don’t exist.”

Betty Nippi-Albright is a Cree and Saulteaux First Nation mother and grandmother with three children and seven grandchildren. Betty holds a Master’s degree in Political Studies and an Honours degree in Aboriginal Public Administration. She has worked in many roles including as a Child Care worker, Human Resources Consultant, Mediator, Federal Constituency Outreach Assistant, Governance Consultant, a Community Developer and Primary Health Facilitator.

Betty is deeply involved in the community and has served on countless boards, including the United Way, Mental Health & Addiction Services, National Aboriginal Diabetes Association, Diabetes Canada, Saskatoon Heart & Stroke Foundation, YWCA, and Saskatoon Sexual Assault & Information Centre.

“Betty is a great addition to our candidate team,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “She has deep roots and years of experience working on behalf of the people of Saskatoon Centre, and she will be an excellent representative as the next MLA for Saskatoon Centre.”

Nippi-Albright is the twenty-seventh candidate nominated for the Saskatchewan NDP for the 2020 provincial election. The next nomination will be in the constituency of Regina Elphinstone-Centre on December 10.

Doyle Vermette was nominated today to seek re-election as the Saskatchewan NDP candidate for Cumberland in the next election. Vermette was elected the MLA for Cumberland in a by-election in 2008 and re-elected in 2011 and 2016.

“The Sask. Party is letting people down, particularly in the north,” said Vermette. “We need real action to address the suicide crisis in our province and we need to invest in the supports people need to succeed. I won’t rest until this government stops ignoring the issues facing the people of our province’s north.”

Of Métis ancestry, Vermette was born and raised in Prince Albert. He, his wife Sandra and their family made the La Ronge area their permanent home in 1990. He has worked in his family’s forest industry company, based in Spruce Home, as well as the service industry in the La Ronge area.

In addition to being active in community service clubs, Vermette was a member of the Board of Education, Northern Lights School Division/NORTEP-NORPAC for eight years, serving as Board Chair for two years. From 2004 until early 2008, Vermette was the acting chair of the Gabriel Dumont Institute. As an alderman for Air Ronge from 1994 to 1997, Vermette had a particular passion for expanding recreation and youth programs. He also served on the board of the Kikinahk Friendship Centre in La Ronge. Over an eighteen-year period, he served on the boards of the Keewatin Career Development Corporation, the Saskatchewan Water Corporation, and the Jim Brady Métis Local #19.

 “Doyle cares deeply about people and does a tremendous job representing his constituents in the legislature,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “Doyle will play an important role in delivering real improvements in people’s lives as part of the next NDP Government.”

PRINCE ALBERT – Addressing hundreds of party delegates in Prince Albert today, NDP Leader Ryan Meili laid out an economic vision rooted in early-years supports and local procurement.

Meili pledged that an NDP government would address the under-resourcing of Saskatchewan classrooms, including a cap on class size for early years and sufficient individualized supports for students requiring extra attention.

“With a New Democrat government there won’t be a single class from K-3 with more than 24 children,” Meili said.

Meili contrasted his plan with the current government’s underfunding of education over the past three years. “The Sask. Party likes to talk about the economy, but they don’t know the difference between a cost and an investment.”

Meili outlined his vision for “an upstream, resilient economy.”

Building that economy, Meili said, “means embracing innovation. It means seeking new markets at home and abroad.  It means making sure everyone has a chance to be included in our prosperity. And it means growing local by building up Saskatchewan companies and Saskatchewan workers.”

In support of that vision, Meili committed to a Saskatchewan First local procurement policy.

“When it’s our hospitals, our roads and our schools, our bridges, built with our tax dollars,” Meili asked the crowd, “don’t you think we should be building them with our companies and our workers?

“That’s why New Democrats will implement a Saskatchewan First plan to ensure that public dollars go into local companies who hire local workers.”

NORTH BATTLEFORD – Amber Stewart has been nominated as the Saskatchewan New Democrat candidate for The Battlefords. Stewart was confirmed at a nomination meeting last Saturday at the Western Development Museum in North Battleford.

 “I want to be the person who sticks up for my community,” said Stewart. “I believe there is good in all of us, and that we can rally around one another and fight for better education and healthcare here in The Battlefords.”

Stewart is a trained social worker and has been employed at Battle River Treaty Six Health as a counsellor, worked with the Ministry of Justice as a Probation Officer, and is currently the Executive Director of the Battlefords & Area Sexual Assault Centre. A strong community builder, Stewart has extensive experiences in sporting organizations in her community. She has also sat on the Board of Directors for the Battlefords Streetfest, was on the Winter Games Volunteer Organizing Committee, is a Past President of the Battlefords Gymnastics Club, and sat on the EMBM School Community Council.

“I’m thrilled to have such a great local leader running to make sure we are putting people here in the Battlefords first,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “Amber is a champion of kids and families, and I know she’ll bring new ideas and energy to our strong and growing team across the province.

Stewart is the twenty-second candidate nominated for the Saskatchewan NDP for the 2020 provincial election.

SASKATOON – Matt Love has been nominated as the Saskatchewan New Democrat candidate for Saskatoon Eastview. In winning the nomination, Love defeated two other candidates, Tony Bassett and Keith Jorgensen, in front of hundreds of New Democrats last Thursday.

“As a teacher, I see first-hand the ways that cuts to education are affecting our schools and families,” said Love. “Our school divisions are being asked to do more with less, and it is time that we hold the Sask. Party accountable for their mismanagement and poor decisions. Education is an investment that we need to build a more inclusive, equitable and thriving province.”

Love is a local teacher who has worked in Saskatoon Eastview for a decade, helping build a brighter future for his family, students, and community. In 2014, Love received a CBC Saskatchewan Future 40 Award for his leadership as a teacher and coach. As a public-school teacher, Love leads a program helping students learn about social justice and anti-racist education which provides his students opportunities to become involved in their communities through a weekly radio show on CFCR 90.5 and a weekly opinion column in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix.

“Matt will be a great MLA for Saskatoon Eastview,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “As a teacher, Matt knows just how important it is to fight for a government that properly funds education and puts people first.”

Love is the twenty-first candidate nominated for the Saskatchewan NDP for the 2020 provincial election.

For Immediate Release: June 1, 2019

SASKATOON – Professor Dave McGrane has been nominated as the New Democrat candidate for Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood. A crowd of local New Democrats confirmed their support of McGrane at a nomination meeting this afternoon.

“I am moving from the classroom to the campaign trail because it’s time for a change in government,” said McGrane. “Saskatchewan should have a world class education system, but the Sask. Party’s record of funding education is abysmal. We need to invest in high-quality, innovative programming that will create better opportunities for the next generation. I look forward to joining a New Democratic government in 2020 that puts people first.”

McGrane is a community leader, progressive policy analyst, and professor of Political Studies at the University of Saskatchewan. He has been a volunteer with many community organizations such as the Saskatchewan Young Professionals and Entrepreneurs, Saskatoon Open Door Society, Equal Voice Saskatchewan, and the Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee. He is also a husband and proud father of two.

“Dave’s passion to create a healthier and more fair society makes him a welcome addition to our growing slate of New Democratic candidates,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “I am pleased to welcome him on board the 2020 team.”

McGrane is the twentieth candidate nominated for the Saskatchewan NDP for the 2020 provincial election.

REGINA – Sandra Morin has been nominated as the New Democratic candidate for Regina Walsh Acres in 2020. To win the nomination, Morin defeated two other candidates, Gloria Patrick and Meara Conway, in front of hundreds of New Democrats this evening.

“Eleven years of the Sask. Party’s short-sighted mismanagement has resulted in ballooning provincial debt and rising costs for families,” said Morin. “We need a government that makes life better for Saskatchewan people, and works to build an economy that benefits everyone. I look forward to representing the people of Regina Walsh Acres and forming a government that puts people first.”

Morin is a community leader, avid volunteer, and advocate for an inclusive society. She serves as the president of the Multilingual Association of Regina and teaches German in the evenings and on weekends. She presently works as a civilian employee with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and previously served as the MLA for Regina Walsh Acres from 2003 – 2011.

“Sandra is an experienced and committed community leader who understands the reality for Saskatchewan’s working families,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “I am thrilled to welcome her to our growing slate of candidates for 2020.”

Morin is the nineteenth candidate nominated for the Saskatchewan NDP for the 2020 provincial election. The next nomination meeting will take place on June 1, 2019, for Saskatoon Churchill-Wildwood.

REGINA – New Democrats in the constituency of Regina Rochdale have selected Brett Estey as their candidate for the upcoming 2020 provincial election. The nomination was contested with Estey winning the nomination over Theresa Quinlan, a steamfitter and advocate for women in the trades.

“I’m running because I am very concerned about the Sask. Party’s attacks on our Crown Corporations and their inaction on climate change,” said Estey. “The Sask Party is putting our future at risk, and I look forward to representing the people of Regina Rochdale as part of a progressive New Democratic government that puts people first.”

Estey is a dedicated volunteer and has been a leader in Saskatchewan’s youth political community for years. He was an active member with the Saskatchewan Youth Parliament and has worked to engage and amplify youth voices in politics. He volunteers with the Ranch Ehrlo Youth Sports Venture, the Regina Red Sox and the Queen City Marathon. Estey has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science & History from the University of Regina, and currently works as an Insurance Broker.

“Brett is very knowledgeable about how the Sask. Party’s cuts have impacted young people in this province and has a strong vision on how to tackle our problems head-on,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “Brett is a welcome addition to the 2020 team, and I congratulate him on his nomination.”

Estey previously ran as the NDP candidate for this constituency in the 2016 Saskatchewan provincial election. He is the eighteenth candidate nominated for the Saskatchewan NDP for the 2020 provincial election. The next nomination meeting will take place tomorrow – May 22, 2019, for Regina Walsh Acres at 7:00pm at the Italian Club where three candidates are vying for the nomination: Meara Conway, Gloria Patrick & Sandra Morin.

Jared Clarke will be the Saskatchewan New Democratic Party candidate for the upcoming 2020 provincial election in the constituency of Indian Head-Milestone. Clarke won a contested nomination over Jackie Lazar, an accountant and former farmer, in front of a crowd of local New Democrats in Balgonie this evening.

“I’m running because I am deeply concerned about the government’s cuts to education and inaction for quality mental health services,” Clarke said. “It’s time for a government that puts people first. I’m committed to advocating for improvements in education, better care for our seniors, and transitioning to more renewable energy.”

Clarke is a community leader, elementary school teacher, farmer, and wildlife biologist. While not in the classroom, Jared is actively involved in the community, conducting a variety of conservation projects. He is also a father to twin girls and an avid volunteer.

“I’m excited to welcome Jared to our 2020 team,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “Jared is a respected community leader and dedicated educator who understands the impact of the Sask. Party’s education cuts and who’s ready to do the work of forming a government that puts people first.”

Clarke is the sixteenth candidate nominated for the Saskatchewan NDP for the 2020 provincial election. 

New Democrats nominate Tajinder Grewal as candidate in Saskatoon Silverspring-Sutherland for 2020

SASKATOON – New Democrats in the constituency of Saskatoon Silverspring-Sutherland have thrown their support behind Tajinder Grewal as their candidate for the upcoming 2020 provincial election.

“The people of Saskatchewan deserve a government that will stop the cuts and invest in the programs we rely on like healthcare and education,” said Grewal. “The Sask. Party government is making life harder for all of us, and it’s time for a government that puts people first. I look forward to tackling the issues and working for a better future for our children and the next generation.”

Grewal is a professional agrologist, active volunteer, community organizer, husband and father. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Punjabi Cultural Association of Saskatchewan and has served on the Boards of Directors for the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association, Immigrant Access Fund of Saskatchewan, and Saskatoon Senior Support Services. He has also volunteered for many community organizations such as the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Saskatoon Field Hockey Club, and his son’s soccer team.

“Tajinder is a dedicated New Democrat and community organizer who understands the impact that the Sask. Party government is having on working people and our economy,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “He is a great addition to the 2020 team.”

Grewal previously ran as the 2016 NDP provincial candidate for the constituency of Saskatoon Willowgrove. He is the seventeenth candidate nominated for the Saskatchewan NDP for the 2020 provincial election. The next nomination meeting will take place on May 21, 2019 for Regina Rochdale.