Moe reacts to Meili’s resignation as NDP leader

With Saskatchewan’s NDP leader stepping down, Premier Scott Moe is switching targets to the entire party.

Ryan Meili told 980 CJME on Friday morning that he is resigning as the leader of the Opposition.

Shortly afterwards, Moe spoke to Gormley and gave his reaction. In the past few days, the premier has harshly criticized Meili for what he calls “hateful, divisive speech.”

There was also a message for Ryan Meili and the NDP in the Athabasca byelection, as they lost one of their traditional strongholds.

I hope Mr. Meili will reflect on the hateful, divisive language he has been using in recent weeks.

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— Scott Moe (@PremierScottMoe) February 16, 2022

While speaking to Gormley, Moe broadened his criticism to the entire Saskatchewan NDP.

“I maybe directed it at the Leader of the Opposition, but really, it should be directed at the entire caucus. The policies and the divisive approach of the Opposition party, it’s their entire caucus that has taken it,” Moe said.

While he didn’t name any specific names, he elaborated about what type of speech he’s talking about.

“They all love their keyboards and you only need to go onto social media to see this. It’s right through. Although the leader is the voice for the party, they have taken a very accusatory, divisive approach to COVID and to people that may be participating in protests,” he said.

“For example, they’ve asked me or the government to condemn these folks in Saskatchewan that have largely been involved in peaceful protests here in Saskatchewan. They do have the right to have their voice heard.”

Moe didn’t give Meili a pass for saying things he thinks are harmful, but again emphasized the entire party.

“What I see is he’s really falling on the sword for the policies of the entire caucus. He defends these policies, but they are each of the caucus members’ policies,” he said.

Specifically, Moe believes the NDP’s approach to the pandemic hasn’t been good.

“Their positions on lockdowns, they wanted to lock down sooner, they wanted them to go further into more businesses … and they also wanted them to last longer. In fact, we would still have them on today. That’s the policy of the party,” Moe said.

Moe did give Meili credit on one point.

While Moe isn’t a fan of the NDP’s policies, he thinks other MLAs don’t even believe what they support.

“(Meili) is actually the one that truly took these policy positions to heart,” Moe said. “When his caucus members were outside of Mosaic Stadium asking for further public health measures, at least he believed in that. He most certainly didn’t take the first opportunity to go and crush a few (beers) in Pil (Country). He stayed away from that, because he believed in his party’s policy.”

Moe is referring to an incident from last summer, when the NDP posted a photo of MLAs Aleana Young, Nicole Sarauer and Carla Beck attending the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ home opener.

Despite having called for further health measures, the three were unmasked in a large crowd in the photo.

It’s currently unclear who will run to replace Meili as the head of the provincial NDP.