Ryan Meili statement on membership issue

NEWS RELEASE

May 4, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
NDP leadership candidate Ryan Meili has issued the following statement regarding unresolved issues about NDP memberships in the constituency of Meadow Lake.

“One of the basic tests for a democracy is the capacity to conduct free and fair elections that will stand up to reasonable scrutiny.  I am deeply concerned that the events of the last few days endanger our party’s credibility as we seek to renew ourselves and win back the confidence of Saskatchewan citizens.  We need to show, in no uncertain terms, that this is not how the New Democratic Party does business."
 
“It is also important to emphasize that these events do not in any way reflect on the people of the First Nations communities involved.  They have done nothing wrong here. The last thing we would want is for this matter to damage the reputation of these communities."
 
“The matter is now in the hands of the party’s Leadership Contest Committee.  I have every confidence that they will get to the bottom of the issue and determine a firm and appropriate resolution.  The only hope of recovering from this is for the party’s investigative and disciplinary process to be transparent and fair."
 
“Finally, I want to acknowledge that Mr Lingenfelter has admitted a serious error on the part of his campaign team.  I trust that he will take appropriate steps, in conjunction with party officials to ensure that the final result of this leadership race is untainted and transparently so.”

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Malcolm French
(306) 550-2277