News talk radio Is this reporting the news ?

One for one exchange is not a bad idea.


Talk Radio Exposes Flawed Needle Exchange Program
Posted May 30, 2008 - 12:35pm by John Gormley

When it came to light on our show, a month or so back, it was one of those shake your head and ask "what" moments.

Saskatchewan's public health needle exchange program for intravenous drug users -- a well intentioned project begun in the early 1990s -- has spiralled out of control.

In small Prince Albert, a city of 40,000 people, 600,000 syringes are handed out to junkies. In Saskatoon, a city of 240,000 there are 1.1 million needles given out a year. And, in Regina, with about 200,000 people, an incredible 2.3 million needles are given away, mainly in the inner city, to drug users.

The plan is to prevent HIV/AIDS and Hep C tranmission by IV drug users sharing needles. The reality is that drug pushers are now getting literally bucket loads of new syringes, which they promptly pre-load with cocaine and offer, for $20 bucks a hit, in so-called shot houses.

All in the name of "harm reduction", this free needle thing is starting to cause harm: increasing access to drugs, getting more people to try IV drugs, not to mention putting the health of families at risk when thousands of discarded syringes show up in city parks and on street corners.

After running with this subject on our show for a month -- and pinning down public health and justice officials -- it's clear that something is very wrong. But there may be help on the way.

We have learned that Health Minister Don McMorris has now ordered an external review of the needle exchange programs. Thanks Minister and don't be buffaloed by those who gotten too close to this issue to see the real solutions.

One of our listeners put it best. Here's his letter:

" Dear John,

I am glad to see that you are continuing to follow this issue. I am a family physician and have been involved in addiction medicine for 18 years and I have experience with addicts and with treatment options.

I am convinced that needle exchange programs are out of control and that "Harm reduction" is not working in its present form.

I recently saw a case of an addict who died as a result of his drug abuse. When his family cleaned out his apartment they found 3500 clean needles and syringes stashed in his closet. He did not have the means to purchase these so obviously had gotten them through an exchange program. He died from his drug abuse. For him, there was no "harm reduction".

Part of the difficulty is in how the different stakeholders view this term. In the past I have been at meetings regarding methadone programs in which members of a city police force made it clear that they were happy if the program lead to less property crime. For them, "harm reduction" did not mean improving the health of addicts or even lessening the spread of hepatitis and HIV, it only meant less crime.
For many in the health community "harm reduction" only means out of sight, out of mind.
In my opinion, needle exchanges, safe injection sites, etc. are simply abandoning a whole segment of our society. Addicts need treatment. They do not need us making it easier for them to continue in their addiction and ultimately die from it.
I would like to see all of the monies being wasted on "harm reduction" redirected to treatment programs. We need more detox and more rehab beds. We need properly funded and properly run methadone programs. We need to make it easier for addicts to access treatment including methadone.
We need to help them up out of their circumstances and not condemn them to continue in them.

Thank you."
To this brave Doctor, no -- thank YOU.

Here we Go!

Well I hope this will help the party find its way. Are we going left or right? Are going elect someone. questions Questions Questions??? It is going to be fun beginning a liberal if you want to part of change. It is the time to do it now?

Saskatchewan Liberal Party Announces Date for Leadership Convention

For immediate release

May 28, 2008

Regina - Frank Proto, President of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party, announced today that the race for next Liberal Leader has officially begun. The Leadership Convention will take place in Regina on November 14th and 15th, 2008.

"This is an exciting time to be a Liberal in Saskatchewan," said Mr. Proto "With a Government that has no plan and an Opposition that has lost its way, there is a tremendous opportunity for Liberal leadership candidates to express their visions of the province."

Leadership candidates may now formally apply to the Saskatchewan Liberal Party to make their candidacies official. The rules governing delegate selection and the leadership campaign have been formalized by the Saskatchewan Liberal Association executive and are now available online.

"This leadership race will show the growing strength of the Saskatchewan Liberal Party and will contribute greatly our party’s renewal," said Mr. Proto. "We are positioned for growth and renewal, from the amount of interest being shown in our renewal workshops, fundraising efforts, and new ideas being discussed and debated."

Great Canadian Government made the news In Ukraine.

Great Canadian Government made the news In Ukraine.

News Briefs
Canadian foreign minister Maxime Bernier resigns
May 27 2008, 14:56

TORONTO (AP) - Canada's embattled foreign minister resigned after leaving classified documents at the home of an ex-girlfriend who had ties to members of a motorcycle gang.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Monday that he had accepted the resignation of Maxime Bernier, who came under fire in recent weeks amid reports that a former girlfriend had previous relationships with men linked to the Hell's Angels.

"Mr. Bernier has learned and informed me that he left classified documents in a nonsecure location. This is a serious error," Harper said.

Harper said that Bernier's controversial relationship with the woman was not a factor in the resignation.

But it was announced as Bernier's former girlfriend, Julie Couillard, was preparing to go on a French-language television station to say that Bernier had been careless with classified documents.

"It's only this error. It's a very serious mistake for any minister. We must always accept responsibilities for the documents that are classified. The minister has immediately acknowledged the gravity of this mistake," Harper said.

The documents were left at a private residence earlier this spring, Harper said in a statement. He did not say what the documents were or if they were shared with others.

Bernier wrote in a letter of resignation that he became aware Sunday night that he had left behind classified documents at a private residence.

Couillard would not comment on the nature of the document except to say that Bernier left it behind at her place.

"Maxime came to see me and he left a document behind," she said, explaining the document was left by accident.

She said she contacted a lawyer for advice, who told her it was the property of the Canadian government.

"The document was given back," she said.

Couillard insisted she was doing the interview to re-establish her dignity and credibility after intense media scrutiny.

"I am definitely not a biker's chick," she said.

The former model said she had never done anything wrong and never been convicted of any crime. She said she told Bernier about her involvement with Quebec bikers shortly after she began dating him in the summer of 2007.

"Maxime knew about it," she said, noting he did not press her on the matter but seemed somewhat surprised.

Harper also did not say what the documents were or if they were shared with others.

Bernier wrote in a letter of resignation that he asked the Foreign Affairs Department to conduct a thorough review of the situation.

In his letter of resignation, Bernier asked the Foreign Affairs Department to conduct a thorough review of the situation.

"Prime Minister, the security breach that occurred was my fault and my fault alone and I take full responsibility for my actions," Bernier wrote.

Harper said David Emerson, the international trade minister, will take over as interim foreign minister.

Just hours before Bernier quit, Harper had dismissed the whole affair.

"I have no intention to comment on a minister's former girlfriend," Harper said earlier in the day as he wrapped up a news conference with visiting Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko. "I don't take this subject seriously."

Opposition Liberal Member of Parliament Ralph Goodale said the prime minister has a lot of explaining to do because he had dismissed the story for weeks.

Bernier has come under fire for a variety of gaffes, including promising aid for Myanmar on a plane that was not available.

Bernier first drew the attention of Canadians when he appeared at his swearing in ceremony last August with the provocatively dressed Couillard on his arm. Her previous boyfriend's links to organized crime did not become public until recently.

Couillard had lived with Gilles Giguere, a well-known Montreal crime figure for three years beginning in 1993. He was gunned down in 1996 when he decided to become a police informer after being arrested with a cache of submachine-guns and marijuana.

In 1997, she began dating and later married Stephane Sirois, who admitted to being an enforcer for the Rockers, a Hells Angels-affiliated biker club. He later turned informant and testified against a dozen of his former colleagues in a 2002 trial.

Couillard and Sirois divorced in 1999.

During the interview for a French-language Quebec television network, Couillard talked about having tea with the wife of Harper and meeting US President George W. Bush at a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

She said Bush approached Bernier and her in a corridor and, glancing at her, jovially told Bernier, "Well, well, well, haven't you been keeping good company."



Canadian foreign minister Maxime Bernier resigns
May 27 2008, 14:56

TORONTO (AP) - Canada's embattled foreign minister resigned after leaving classified documents at the home of an ex-girlfriend who had ties to members of a motorcycle gang.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Monday that he had accepted the resignation of Maxime Bernier, who came under fire in recent weeks amid reports that a former girlfriend had previous relationships with men linked to the Hell's Angels.

"Mr. Bernier has learned and informed me that he left classified documents in a nonsecure location. This is a serious error," Harper said.

Harper said that Bernier's controversial relationship with the woman was not a factor in the resignation.

But it was announced as Bernier's former girlfriend, Julie Couillard, was preparing to go on a French-language television station to say that Bernier had been careless with classified documents.

"It's only this error. It's a very serious mistake for any minister. We must always accept responsibilities for the documents that are classified. The minister has immediately acknowledged the gravity of this mistake," Harper said.

The documents were left at a private residence earlier this spring, Harper said in a statement. He did not say what the documents were or if they were shared with others.

Bernier wrote in a letter of resignation that he became aware Sunday night that he had left behind classified documents at a private residence.

Couillard would not comment on the nature of the document except to say that Bernier left it behind at her place.

"Maxime came to see me and he left a document behind," she said, explaining the document was left by accident.

She said she contacted a lawyer for advice, who told her it was the property of the Canadian government.

"The document was given back," she said.

Couillard insisted she was doing the interview to re-establish her dignity and credibility after intense media scrutiny.

"I am definitely not a biker's chick," she said.

The former model said she had never done anything wrong and never been convicted of any crime. She said she told Bernier about her involvement with Quebec bikers shortly after she began dating him in the summer of 2007.

"Maxime knew about it," she said, noting he did not press her on the matter but seemed somewhat surprised.

Harper also did not say what the documents were or if they were shared with others.

Bernier wrote in a letter of resignation that he asked the Foreign Affairs Department to conduct a thorough review of the situation.

In his letter of resignation, Bernier asked the Foreign Affairs Department to conduct a thorough review of the situation.

"Prime Minister, the security breach that occurred was my fault and my fault alone and I take full responsibility for my actions," Bernier wrote.

Harper said David Emerson, the international trade minister, will take over as interim foreign minister.

Just hours before Bernier quit, Harper had dismissed the whole affair.

"I have no intention to comment on a minister's former girlfriend," Harper said earlier in the day as he wrapped up a news conference with visiting Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko. "I don't take this subject seriously."

Opposition Liberal Member of Parliament Ralph Goodale said the prime minister has a lot of explaining to do because he had dismissed the story for weeks.

Bernier has come under fire for a variety of gaffes, including promising aid for Myanmar on a plane that was not available.

Bernier first drew the attention of Canadians when he appeared at his swearing in ceremony last August with the provocatively dressed Couillard on his arm. Her previous boyfriend's links to organized crime did not become public until recently.

Couillard had lived with Gilles Giguere, a well-known Montreal crime figure for three years beginning in 1993. He was gunned down in 1996 when he decided to become a police informer after being arrested with a cache of submachine-guns and marijuana.

In 1997, she began dating and later married Stephane Sirois, who admitted to being an enforcer for the Rockers, a Hells Angels-affiliated biker club. He later turned informant and testified against a dozen of his former colleagues in a 2002 trial.

Couillard and Sirois divorced in 1999.

During the interview for a French-language Quebec television network, Couillard talked about having tea with the wife of Harper and meeting US President George W. Bush at a meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.

She said Bush approached Bernier and her in a corridor and, glancing at her, jovially told Bernier, "Well, well, well, haven't you been keeping good company."

Oops! Another mistake for a Minster

hey Mr Haper is this another mistake for this guy maybe a new fellow who will not put his foot in his mouth.

For Immediate Release
May 23, 2008

Another Gaffe For Bernier, Another Reason He Should Step Down: Bob Rae

OTTAWA - Liberal Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae reiterated his call for the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier in light of his most recent gaffe regarding the availability of Canada's new C-17s to help the people of Burma/Myanmar.

"This latest blunder is not just an embarrassment for Canada - it is irresponsible," said Mr. Rae. "These are people's lives we're talking about, and Mr. Bernier needs to have a better handle on precisely what it is Canada can and can not do to help them.
"It is just the latest in a string of examples that proves Mr. Bernier is incompetent, and the only action left for Prime Minister Stephen Harper is to fire him."

Officials with the Department of National Defence were forced to quickly rent a Russian plane yesterday to ship helicopters to Thailand to help the people of cyclone-ravaged Burma/Myanmar after Mr. Bernier publicly stated it would be carried out by Canada's new C-17 aircraft.

Contrary to Mr. Bernier's claim that there was a C-17 ready and available to do the job, the officials confirmed that as false, which is why the Russian plane had to be dispatched.

"As I've stated in the past, Mr. Bernier is clearly in over his head," said Mr. Rae. "He continues to be a liability to Canada and to the international community. He has got to go."

Mr. Rae pointed to Mr. Bernier's other missteps, including:

- suggesting to reporters that Kandahar Governor Asdullah Khalid be replaced. He was quickly forced to retract those comments and acknowledge that Afghanistan, as a sovereign country, must make its own decisions;

- his mishandling of the case of Brenda Martin, a Canadian left stranded in a in Mexican prison for two years;

- his failure to take a leadership role (or indeed any role) in the international effort to ban the production and use of cluster munitions;

- his abandonment of key foreign affairs files to other ministers - Afghan detainees (Peter MacKay), death row inmates abroad (Stockwell Day), the proposed sale of the Radarsat 2 satellite system (Jim Prentice), the Brenda Martin case (Helena Guergis), a summit of foreign affairs ministers of Arctic nations in Greenland (Gary Lunn); and,

- his failure to respond to any of the recent international crises in Pakistan, Kenya, Sri Lanka or Zimbabwe.

-30-

Contact:

Office of the Hon. Bob Rae
613-992-5234

Good idea or not?

The new Saskatchewan..Alberta light? This a good idea. or not I my opinion it is a great idea long over due.


Sask. plans to elect next senator
Veronica Rhodes, The Leader-Post, with files from Canwest News ServicePublished: Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Saskatchewan Party government is planning to introduce a bill in the fall to elect senators, which would make it only the second Canadian province behind Alberta to hold such elections.
Justice Minister Don Morgan said the government is planning to introduce the bill during the fall sitting, with a vote on the legislation expected to be held in the spring. The move follows the government's commitment to democratic reform, which Morgan said was first demonstrated when Premier Brad Wall announced the next provincial election date shortly after taking office.
"It would be nice for our government to be able to say to the people of Saskatchewan, 'We are working towards developing a system where you will ultimately have elected senators.' That is certainly the direction we want to go," said Morgan in a phone interview from his Saskatoon home on Monday.

Senators are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, whose Conservatives want an elected Senate.
Alberta has held Senate elections, including the 2004 vote during which Bert Brown was chosen. Brown is currently Canada's only elected senator after being appointed in 2007.
Brown said Tuesday he had known for a few months that Saskatchewan was on the cusp of following Alberta's lead.
The Saskatchewan premier called Brown less than 24 hours after winning the provincial election last year to say the government would clear the way to elect senators.
"It means everything," said Brown of Saskatchewan's move. "It takes it from a historical precedent to an established practice."
Brown said he believes other provinces will follow suit.
A draft of the legislation has been created and Morgan said discussions are underway with the federal government about its willingness to appoint Saskatchewan senators from a list of elected people.
"The way the Charter works right now, to have an elected senate by the federal government would require a constitutional amendment. No one is keen on doing a constitutional amendment at this point in time so what we would like to do is have our legislation sort of dovetail with what they're doing so that we have a list of people that the prime minister is willing to pick from when we have senate vacancies," said Morgan.
One of Saskatchewan's six senate seats is expected to become vacant in 2008, when Sen. Len Gustafson reaches the mandatory retirement age of 75.
Opposition leader Lorne Calvert has previously stated the NDP's first preference would be for the Senate to be abolished.
The Saskatchewan Party introduced a private member's bill in November 2006 that would have seen the province hold Senate elections in conjunction with provincial elections.
Senate elections may not only be done in conjunction with provincial elections but could be held along with municipal and federal votes, Morgan said. He added that through discussion, it was determined that people who are on the Senate ballot would be allowed to have party affiliation and the federal party leader would have to sign their nomination papers.
Once the details of the proposed legislation have been further fleshed out, Morgan said public input and discussion will be welcomed.
"Because it is a fundamental democratic issue, as soon as you get to the point where you've got something you can talk about, we want to engage the public as much as we can," he said.
© The Leader-Post (Regina) 2008

Suzuki slams NDP, Tories, backs Dion's carbon tax

Today on CTV question period.. this a help ?

Suzuki slams NDP, Tories, backs Dion's carbon taxFamed environmentalist David Suzuki has strongly backed Liberal leader Stephane Dion's emerging carbon tax plan and slammed the NDP and Conservatives. Evironmentalist David Suzuki gestures while speaking with CTV's Question Period on Sunday, May 18, 2008. After hearing the NDP's criticism of Dion's plan, Suzuki said: "I'm really shocked with the NDP with this. I thought that they had a very progressive environmental outlook." "To oppose (the carbon tax plan), its just nonsense. It's certainly the way we got to go," he said Sunday on CTV's Question Period. While Dion has not fully revealed his plan, this week he said that he is proposing a revenue-neutral carbon tax, where the carbon tax is pared with a reduction in other taxes. "Instead of taxing things we want more of, like income ... we shift taxes to things we don't want, like greenhouse gases," Liberal environment critic David McGuinty explained on Question Period, while stressing the plan is not yet finalized. NDP MP Peggy Nash said the NDP's environment plan is not revenue neutral. She said her party wants a system where polluters pay and the money is put into "green solutions." Environment Minister John Baird told Question Period that Dion's plan was "made on Bay Street" and is actually supported by big business and polluters. "Mr. Dion wants to give some kind of licence to pollute and simply allow big business to buy their way out of this problem," Baird said. Baird touted the Conservatives' environmental plan, saying that the Harper government would force big business into polluting less. "Our plan we deliver an absolute 20 per cent reduction by 2020," he said. However, the Tories plan uses 2006 as the baseline year, which Baird failed to mention. The world generally uses 1990, the Kyoto Protocol's baseline. Most environmental groups have slammed the Conservatives' environmental plan as ineffectual and say even if it works, it would still result in emissions that are eight per cent above Canada's 2012 Kyoto target. They also say the Tory plan relies on intensity targets, not absolute ones. Intensity targets mean that businesses must cut the amount of carbon that goes into each unit of production. However, that means total emissions could go up if output increased substantially. Suzuki criticized Baird's leadership, saying that the minister was working against and not with environmentalists. Suzuki also said Ottawa politicians in general are too focused on the next election and not thinking of the future. "Thank goodness for the United States or we'd be dead last (in the environment)," he said. "Let's get on with hard targets and thinking more about what we are leaving our children and grandchildren." Suzuki mentioned that Swedes pay about carbon tax of $150 a tonne, while British Columbians are "yelling and screaming over a $10 tax." B.C introduced a carbon tax in February.

Money to the poor?

16.3 MILLION COMMITTED TO REVITALIZATION OF SASKATOON’S PLEASANT HILL AREA
Premier Brad Wall today announced his government's decision to commit $8.3 million for the construction of a new St. Mary Community School, daycare and wellness centre in Saskatoon's Pleasant Hill neighbourhood.
The community school project will be the focal point for a larger revitalization of Pleasant Hill including $8 million for the development of affordable housing in co-operation with local community groups.
"Saskatchewan is transforming into a place of opportunity and growth," Wall said. "And with today's investment, we will help local people continue developing this neighbourhood into a place of growth and opportunity, where the young people that have joined us today can achieve their highest potential."
"New investment in Saskatoon's core neighbourhoods is crucial to building a sustainable city," Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison said. "Projects such as the Pleasant Hill Revitalization Project are rare opportunities to take a large area within an existing neighbourhood and renew it with parks, housing and a new school. The City of Saskatoon is proud to announce its contribution of a new community activity space within the new St. Mary School. This space will serve as a central place for public meetings, community association programming and essentially a hub for the neighbourhood residents."
St. Mary Community School has already been effective in forming partnerships with organizations like the Saskatoon Tribal Council, the University of Saskatchewan - Department of Pediatrics and the Saskatoon Health Region. Services currently offered include a clinic for young children, a pilot program aimed at reducing obesity rates in students as well as various cultural and spiritual activities.
"Our school division has a long history of providing Catholic education here and we are thrilled that we will be continuing this tradition in a new school facility that will help us more fully meet the needs of the children in this community," Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Board of Education chair Jim Carriere said. "We are looking forward to working together with the St. Mary Community School, our service partners at the school and the entire Pleasant Hill area as we plan and construct a new St. Mary School that will be a key piece in the rejuvenation of this neighbourhood."
Wall said in addition to the school, housing is also a priority for the government.
"The need for a new building to house all of these tremendous initiatives has long been identified," Wall said. "Today's announcement allows for detailed planning to proceed and provides the community with certainty that a new school will be built. And we're also going to keep a promise to develop more affordable housing for low and moderate income families."
The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is providing $8 million for the City of Saskatoon's Pleasant Hill Revitalization Project. The project will see two blocks of deteriorating housing transformed into attractive, safe and affordable housing.

Odd facts

I found this a little weird
Ex-NDP staffer who resigned gets $130K severance
Last Updated: Friday, May 9, 2008 5:50 PM CT
CBC News
A former NDP caucus employee who resigned amid a controversy at the legislature will receive more than $130,000 in severance.
Jim Fodey resigned as the NDP chief of staff last year after Regina's police chief said Fodey's public statements about a 1992 case of missing money at the NDP caucus did not jibe with police records.
The legislative assembly heard that a former caucus employee confessed in a letter that she took about $6,000 to which she wasn't entitled by changing numbers on cheques.
The Saskatchewan Party quoted from the letter in the legislature. Fodey later said the letter and other documents had been reported to police at the time, in 1992.
However, police said it was actually two years later that information was provided to them.
NDP MLA Frank Quennell said Friday that even though Fodey resigned, he is still entitled to severance and the amount he is receiving is fair.
"It was what would be called in law an involuntary resignation, a resignation under duress," Quennell said.
To avoid paying severance might mean putting at risk more public money by fighting a lawsuit, he said.
However, the Saskatchewan Party insists that the rules of the legislature state that severance is supposed to be paid for termination without cause and if Fodey quit, he shouldn't

Ex-NDP staffer who resigned gets $130K severance
Last Updated: Friday, May 9, 2008 5:50 PM CT
CBC News
A former NDP caucus employee who resigned amid a controversy at the legislature will receive more than $130,000 in severance.
Jim Fodey resigned as the NDP chief of staff last year after Regina's police chief said Fodey's public statements about a 1992 case of missing money at the NDP caucus did not jibe with police records.
The legislative assembly heard that a former caucus employee confessed in a letter that she took about $6,000 to which she wasn't entitled by changing numbers on cheques.
The Saskatchewan Party quoted from the letter in the legislature. Fodey later said the letter and other documents had been reported to police at the time, in 1992.
However, police said it was actually two years later that information was provided to them.
NDP MLA Frank Quennell said Friday that even though Fodey resigned, he is still entitled to severance and the amount he is receiving is fair.
"It was what would be called in law an involuntary resignation, a resignation under duress," Quennell said.
To avoid paying severance might mean putting at risk more public money by fighting a lawsuit, he said.
However, the Saskatchewan Party insists that the rules of the legislature state that severance is supposed to be paid for termination without cause and if Fodey quit, he shouldn't
Ex-NDP staffer who resigned gets $130K severance
Last Updated: Friday, May 9, 2008 5:50 PM CT
CBC News
A former NDP caucus employee who resigned amid a controversy at the legislature will receive more than $130,000 in severance.
Jim Fodey resigned as the NDP chief of staff last year after Regina's police chief said Fodey's public statements about a 1992 case of missing money at the NDP caucus did not jibe with police records.
The legislative assembly heard that a former caucus employee confessed in a letter that she took about $6,000 to which she wasn't entitled by changing numbers on cheques.
The Saskatchewan Party quoted from the letter in the legislature. Fodey later said the letter and other documents had been reported to police at the time, in 1992.
However, police said it was actually two years later that information was provided to them.
NDP MLA Frank Quennell said Friday that even though Fodey resigned, he is still entitled to severance and the amount he is receiving is fair.
"It was what would be called in law an involuntary resignation, a resignation under duress," Quennell said.
To avoid paying severance might mean putting at risk more public money by fighting a lawsuit, he said.
However, the Saskatchewan Party insists that the rules of the legislature state that severance is supposed to be paid for termination without cause and if Fodey quit, he shouldn't

The turn right starts at the grassroots?

Are turning Right??

Liberals discuss policy with eye to future
Provincial members examine direction after election shutout
Janet French, The StarPhoenixPublished: Monday, May 05, 2008
The Saskatchewan Liberal Party has begun a period of introspection after party candidates were shut out for a second consecutive provincial election last November. And suggestions emerged Saturday the party could be nudging toward more right-wing ideals.
About 35 Liberals met in Saskatoon to ponder the party's next steps, including what policies it should espouse in the future, organizer Ryan Androsoff said.
"There is a debate happening in the party right now . . . as to what our values and messages should be," said Androsoff, who was the Liberal candidate in Saskatoon Northwest in the 2007 provincial election.

Former B.C. Liberal MLA Lynn Stephens was a guest speaker at the event, dispensing advice from her party's experience during the last two decades when it went from shutouts in the 1990s to taking 77 of 79 seats in B.C.'s 2001 election.
Androsoff said Stephens wasn't there to talk about policy, but advise Saskatchewan Liberals on how to organize themselves successfully.
Her advice? Know what your party's messages are and stick to them, Androsoff said. Stephens also advised party members to build social networks and avoid top-down decision making.
Androsoff wouldn't say directly whether the Saskatchewan Liberals are thinking of moving further right in the political spectrum, where the B.C. Liberals sit, but did describe himself as a "small-l Liberal" who believes in personal and economic freedoms.
He also hinted a move to the right could be beneficial for the party.
"The Sask. Party has really become NDP-like in its first six months in government, and that, I think, provides an opportunity for the Liberal Party to show some leadership far into the future," he said.
Liberals will meet several times over the next six to seven months to set goals and talk about the party's future, he said.
Although he admits the Liberals have much work ahead after their failure to make gains in the last election, Androsoff frames the party's recent political misfortunes in an optimistic light.
"We have one of those unique windows in the life of a political party where you don't have the baggage of the past and you really have a clean slate," he said.
"If people are willing to grab this moment, we have a chance to come together around a message and a set of values that we can all agree upon, and, I think, be able to able to fill an important space in the Saskatchewan political scene."
Androsoff did not know when the party's leadership race will begin -- that has yet to be announced by the Saskatchewan Liberal Association, he said.
Frank Proto has been the Liberals' interim leader since David Karwacki stepped aside in December. Karwacki made the move after the Liberals' failed to get back into the legislature.
Androsoff said although he has heard rumblings from some people who are interested in running for the Liberal leadership, none have declared publicly.
jfrench@sp.canwest.com