Noah Evanchuk, Barrister
It is with great pride and hope that I wholeheartedly endorse the candidacy of Ryan Meili for the leadership of the New Democratic Party, Saskatchewan Section.
Ryan is an individual who consistently displays the values we as New Democrats embrace and wish to share with all Saskatchewan citizens. He is compassionate and principled; yet also free thinking and open-minded. In the span of less than two months, he has taken this contest by storm. Not by mouthing canned talking points or buzz words, but by demonstrating the courage to bring back excitement and energy to our party whilst maintaining a focus on making our province a more fair and equitable place to live for all citizens.
Like Ryan, I was not born into the New Democratic Party. That Ryan made an emotional and intellectual decision to join our movement on his own speaks volumes to me!
When I look back on the history of our movement in Saskatchewan and across Canada, I am reminded that our greatest successes occurred when we, as progressives, took the greatest risks. Whether it was the courage of the unemployed on the “On to Ottawa Trek,” the fight for public ownership of our resources, or the adoption of medicare, our party and our movement is at its best when we show real vision and leadership for the public. Ryan has proven that he is willing to stand up for what is just, even if he faces long odds. That kind of courage is long overdue and deserves our gratitude.
Throughout the last 100 years, new generations of progressive Saskatchewan leaders have come from unlikely places to achieve great social change. Whether it was a 30-something preacher from Weyburn, the son of a Tory from Nova Scotia, or the eloquent Ukrainian-Canadian lawyer named Roy, New Democrats have proven that leadership experience is best measured by the content of an individual’s character, not the length of time spent in elected office.
I have no reservations in stating that Ryan Meili is the most exciting political development I have encountered since I joined the NDP (in Calgary) in 1997. I wish Ryan all the best in this very critical time in our party’s history.
