Dear Editor
At the 2009 convention of the New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan, at which Dwain Lingenfelter was chosen leader, a resolution was passed by the membership in opposition to further nuclear power development in Saskatchewan. Mr. Lingenfelter dismissed this resolution as the opinion of a few hundred party activists, effectively taking matters into his own hands and disregarding the policy rules of the NDP.
One day after being chosen leader of the Saskatchewan NDP, Cam Broten was asked about his position on the Keystone XL pipeline. He stated that if the National Energy Board approved the project, which they have, then "we support it." This is a strange statement, as neither Mr. Broten nor the National Energy Board decide what is New Democratic policy. New Democrats do. His later clarification, while it made his position and that of the caucus more clear, did nothing to reflect the real concerns that exist around the Keystone XL pipeline, nor did it indicate he wished to take into account the opinions of new NDP members on this issue.
It was also a missed an opportunity to raise many of the serious questions surrounding this project, including its safety, its impact on greenhouse gas production and climate change, and whether the time of Saskatchewan's premier is best spent in lobbying U.S. politicians to allow a pipeline to carry raw Alberta bitumen to Texas, rather than creating Saskatchewan jobs and developing a just and sustainable economy that does not come at the cost of human or natural life. These concerns are of importance to everyone in Saskatchewan and worthy of greater debate.
Much has been made of calls for party unity since Broten's narrow victory March 9. This is a positive goal, but will only be achievable if he is able to show greater capacity to listen and question than he has done on this issue. Members brought into the party through the leadership process will be watching especially closely, hoping that the failures of Lingenfelter's leadership, including dismissing the views of members, are not repeated. Broten will need to show integrity and commitment to a deeper understanding of the issues if he is to maintain a strong, united party capable of taking on Brad Wall. Echoing Wall's talking points on Keystone XL is not a great start.
Karen Rooney
Saskatoon
