For immediate release: May 5, 2025
Separatist Petition Author Has Historical Ties to Sask. Party
REGINA – The Saskatchewan NDP is demanding Scott Moe speak out against talk of a vote to leave Canada as a longtime ally of the Premier has launched an online petition calling for a Saskatchewan separation referendum.
The petition, launched by Nadine Ness through her Unified Grassroots organization, comes after Moe refused to answer repeated reporter questions Thursday on whether he supported a referendum on separating from Canada and even refused to tell reporters how he would vote if such a thing were to occur.
“You’re getting a little over your skis,” Moe told a reporter who asked him to commit to voting to staying in Canada.
“Yesterday, Trump reiterated his threats about Canada becoming the 51st state. He wants to divide us so he can conquer us. In response? We have Scott Moe, a supposed leader who won’t even commit to voting in favour of keeping Canada together,” said Aleana Young, Saskatchewan NDP Jobs & Economy Shadow Minister.
“Instead, we have Scott Moe leaving the door open to secessionists – because they’re his friends. Barely six months after nearly losing the election, the Sask Party is back, quietly kowtowing to the fringes of their base.”
“This is a complete failure of leadership at a time when we need to be uniting Canada and building our infrastructure from coast to coast in order to protect and grow our economy, create jobs and secure our future.”
The anti-Canada separatist group Unified Grassroots has had a direct line to Premier Moe in the past. In 2021, Moe spoke with its leader, Nadine Ness, for a full hour — a sign of their influence over the Sask. Party’s political agenda. As of late Sunday, her petition was garnering online signatures in support of a referendum to, “empower the provincial government to negotiate new terms for Saskatchewan's relationship whether as part of Canada or as an independent nation.”
“Scott Moe’s own friends and insiders are the ones talking about leaving Canada,” Young said. “Clearly, this is why the Premier has been so weak when it comes to standing up for our country. He would risk our economy to appease radicals who no longer want to be Canadian — this is a stunning failure of leadership at such a critical moment for our country.”
Similar to the one launched by Ness, a petition in Alberta has garnered tens of thousands of signatures. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith recently lowered the threshold to trigger a referendum, leading to widespread speculation there may soon be a vote on Alberta leaving confederation.
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REGINA — The Saskatchewan NDP and the ALS Society of Saskatchewan are calling on the Sask. Party Minister of Health to immediately launch a full investigation into the Dr. Goodenowe Restorative Health Centre in Moose Jaw.
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