Sask. Party looking to link Canadian citizenship with party membership

The Saskatchewan Party will vote this weekend to limit full membership to Canadian citizens. Critics warn it may be discriminatory. Wayne Mantyka reports.

A proposed amendment to the Saskatchewan Party’s constitution recommends restricting voting members of the organization to Canadian citizens only.

Sask. Party members will have an opportunity this weekend at the party convention to discuss and decide if the proposed amendment will become part of its constitution. The convention opens Friday in Saskatoon at TCU Place with the policy review scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Permanent residents (PRs) are currently eligible to vote on internal party matters. The proposed amendment is outlined in the convention program and it would limit voting to regular party members who are: 18 years of age or older; a Canadian citizen; and, ordinarily a resident of Saskatchewan.

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During a scrum Thursday morning at the Legislature, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe disagreed that the proposed amendment limits voting eligibility.

“I actually would say that it’s not limiting anyone. It’s mirroring and aligning with Election Saskatchewan [on] who can vote in an election in the province so in no way is it limiting anyone,” said Moe. “It’s just aligning with the Election Saskatchewan parameters ... which we think is prudent and for a responsible party to have a look at.”

The Saskatchewan NDP believes the proposed amendment is restrictive.

“It’s disgraceful and a slap in the face to thousands of the people who are choosing to make Saskatchewan their home. We have thousands of permanent Saskatchewan residents in this province who have been following all the rules for years, are paying taxes, and are on the path to citizenship,” the party said in a press release.

According to the current party constitution, associate members are not entitled to vote at any meeting of a constituency association or the Party.

Youth members, between the ages of 14 and 25 years, are entitled to vote under the current party constitution. The proposed amendment would change the voting eligibility to youth members 18 and older.